Talk About Epping Spring 2022

TALK ABOUT EPPING TOWN MAGAZINE

SPRING 2022

EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY 10TH ANNIVERSARY

2 TALK ABOUT EPPING

The Mayor’s view had opened the event, I was delighted to present to Jacqui Mortimer the Townsperson of the Year 2020 award for her outstanding service to our community.

On 4th December we enjoyed our wonderful Christmas is a Christmas Market, wonderful time of the which included stalls, year to be Mayor of music, santa, Epping. There was so reindeers and to much going on and everybody’s delight Lorna and I have been Olaf from Frozen. very busy with all the Later in the afternoon Mayor’s duties. we were joined by our In October, I judged a MP Dame Eleanor Dog Show at Stonards Laing who helped me Hill recreation ground to present the Audrey organised by Epping Rose Cup for the Best Rotary Club to raise Dressed Christmas money for Children in Shop window voted by Need. the people of Epping In November, my wife which went to Lorna, Bill Towers and I Hammond and Smith chose the large estate agents and Christmas tree for the because there were so High Street, sponsored many good displays,

by Epping Rotary Club. my choice as Mayor On 12th November, went to Rosewood I laid a wreath at St Pharmacy. A bottle of John’s Church for the champagne was also Sailors on HMS Sickle, presented to Piccola. who died in World War Congratulations to all II and I read out all the the winners and a names of those lost. huge thank you to This was followed by a everyone who took service at the War part.

Memorial and a service The local schools at the war graves in designed the Mayor’s Epping Cemetery.

Christmas card and On Remembrance the winner was Olly Sunday, I laid a wreath Cushway from Epping at the church in North Primary School with Weald and another at runners up from the War Memorial on Coopersale Hall School the airfield. Wreaths and Epping Primary were laid at the Epping School.

War Memorial followed Epping Town Council by a service at St were very sad to hear John’s Church, where I of the death of Ruth read out the names of Benjamin, a past Town those who died during Clerk and Freeman of the two wars.

Epping and I was It was a privilege to honoured to read at light the Hanukkah on her funeral service.

28th November in Thank you to Epping High Street. everybody at the Town The Christmas Tree Council for their hard Festival held in St work during 2021 and John’s Church from the may Lorna and I wish 3rd December was a everybody a healthy huge success, with and happy 2022. over 50 trees being decorated and after I

Michael Wright

Epping Town Sign Epping Town Council have provided a new Epping Town Sign on Tower Road Green on the approach into town near Bell Common. The former sign had rotted.

There is a similar sign on the Town Green (near the Civic Offices) on the approach into town from the opposite direction.

The signs are hand crafted by a local craftsman and feature the stag associated with Epping Forest, the crest of Essex and the Royal Charter depicting the Market held by Epping Town Council.

New bench for the community garden Epping Town Council were delighted to receive the offer of a new community bench for the Market Garden beside Marks & Spencer. Sue Clark, sister of Brambly Hedge creator, Jill Barklem, kindly donated the bench to the community to commemorate her family’s special connection to the Town. Not only did Jill live in Epping (she is commemorated with a blue plaque on her former home in Church Hill), the sisters’ parents used to own Pyne’s Department Store in Epping from 1955 to 1992 (This is now Wildwood.) As the community garden is so close to the former Pyne’s, it was felt this would be an excellent location.

Epping Town Council would like to thank Sue and her family for the very kind donation which will be enjoyed by so many in the future.

Epping in Bloom look after the community market garden.

Planning meetings The Town Council’s Planning & General Purposes Committee meet the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm to discuss and pass comments on the latest planning applications in the parish. Epping Town Council are a consultee in addition to neighbours of the individual planning applicants. Epping Forest District Council are the planning authority for the area and once all comments are returned by the deadline date to them, the decision is made. If you as a resident would like to get attend and speak at any Planning & General Purposes meetings, whether it’s your planning application or your neighbour’s planning application that is being discussed or want to hear about other planning applications in Epping, please let us know before 4pm on the day of the meeting. Meetings are held at Epping Hall in St Johns Road.

TALK ABOUT EPPING 3

Epping Christmas Market: Saturday 4th December 2021 Epping Christmas Market attracted bumper crowds to the High Street on Saturday, 4th December. Around 50 Christmas gifts and food stalls attended the event which ran from 10am until 4pm with social distancing and Covid-19 precautions in place.

A programme of entertainment which followed the Town Mayor’s speech was provided by Academy Arts Theatre School, which is performing the musical ‘Annie’ at Zinc Arts Centre in Ongar this month; Epping Primary School Choir, the Ivy Chimneys Primary School Choir, Epping Music School, Rock Choir and local musicians ‘Hanna and Music’ and Matthew Shepherd.

There were also visits from Olaf from ‘Frozen’, and two reindeer whose visit to the market was partly sponsored by Luxe Watches at 219 High Street.

The Christmas lighting in the town, annually installed by the Town Council added to the festive atmosphere with the displays including the lights on a 25ft Christmas tree, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Epping, with the lights switched on by Town Mayor Councillor Michael Wright during the event. The Christmas Market ran alongside the Christmas Tree Festival at St John’s Church over that weekend. There was also a Santa’s Grotto at Epping Fire Station. The Town Council thanks Luxe Watches for their contribution towards the reindeers’ visit, and the Rotary Club of Epping for paying for the Christmas tree on the piazza.

The Town Council would like to thank those who took part in the entertainment programme and those who had stalls at the Christmas Market. Thanks also to Epping Forest District Council for giving us free car parking in the afternoon in the Cottis Lane Car Park and providing the extra bins for the event.

Thank you to the businesses for supplying the electricity to the Christmas trees and the electrical team for their support in making the trees light up during the festive season. Thanks to Essex County Council for allowing us to have our Christmas Tree on the Piazza.

Thanks to Epping Forest District Council for the champagne prizes for the Audrey Rose Cup for the best Christmas Shop window. A big thank you to everyone who was involved.

Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping and the Jack Silley Pavilion, Stonards Hill recreation ground are both available for hire. Ideal for dance classes, meetings, conferences, training sessions, parties and much more.

Both venues have different facilities so please contact Epping Town Council for more details.

Telephone: 01992 579444 Email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

4 TALK ABOUT EPPING

Epping Ongar Railway Celebrating our 10th anniversary year Would you believe it? The Epping Ongar Railway (EOR) will celebrate its 10th operating anniversary in 2022!

We plan to celebrate on 27, 28 & 29 May with an Anniversary Gala featuring a special guest steam locomotive. Further visiting locomotives, supported by our home fleet, will be announced as soon as the information becomes available. Keep an eye on our website www.eorailway.co.uk for the latest information.

The Volunteer Society is planning a 44-page book, entitled ‘The First Ten Years’, covering the lines progress since closure by London Transport in 1994. Copies will be available from the EOR shops.

The Penny Salon Gallery at Ongar station will be showing a photographic exhibition showcasing the Epping Ongar Railway entitled ‘10 years of progress’.

With exception of ‘half term week’, most of January, February and March represents our ‘down time’ when we can concentrate on essential maintenance.

On Sunday 20 February we will be featuring our ‘From LT to LRT’ – bus event with vehicles operating additional routes through the glorious Essex countryside, including a dusk photo run. Further vehicles will be on display at North Weald station.

In 1984 London Transport was looking for its next generation of buses and set up a pilot study, buying small numbers of vehicles from several manufacturers and putting them into comparison trials: the Alternative Vehicle Evaluation (AVE) trials.

One of those vehicles was the Volvo Ailsa B55 version 3. Although V3 had a similar bodyshell to other Alexander R-bodied buses, its layout was radically different. The second passenger door was located at the rear rather than the centre, and there were two staircases. The idea was to evaluate whether this layout stimulated a free flow of passengers at stops, to solve the problem of long dwell times. Unfortunately, the twin staircases resulted in a blind spot for the driver, opposite the rear door, so a conductor had to be carried. V3 was therefore, restricted to crew-operated routes and spent most of its time on the 77A and 88 services. The rear doorway idea was eventually abandoned and V3 underwent a rebuild with just the front doorway, but retaining the twin staircases.

After a varied operating life the vehicle entered preservation and was eventually purchased by Roger Wright who had it restored to original condition with two doorways as well as two staircases. It’s planned that the vehicle will feature in our ‘LT to LRT’ event this year.

By Robert Good & Paul Van der Hulks, Epping Ongar Railway

Town Mayor’s visit to Ashlar House In Autumn, the Mayor of Epping, Cllr Michael Wright, visited one of our newest residents Joan, joining her for a High Tea. When Joan moved into Ashlar House she mentioned that one of her great wishes was to enjoy a High Tea with a VIP, so our Activities Coordinator Rita sprang into action and arranged just that.

The original plan had been for Joan to meet the Mayor at Ashlyn’s café which is close to Ashlar House. Unfortunately, Joan was feeling a little too tired and instead the wonderful team from Ashlyn’s provided the delicious High Tea to takeaway, allowing Joan and the Mayor to make the most of our recently refurbished lounge.

Joan, the Mayor and his wife spoke at length about family matters, the advance of technology and Joan’s impressive memorial plaque collection. We were all very happy to see Joan enjoy this special afternoon with the Mayor and his wife Lorna.

TALK ABOUT EPPING 5

Julie’s café at Stonards Hill recreation ground: the first three years It is hard to believe that I am approaching the three year anniversary of running my own business. When I opened Julie’s in April 2019 I set my business goals but I also felt the café was in an ideal location to become a community asset where people could enjoy meeting friends, away from the pollution of cars while soaking up the atmosphere of the park. It has become a perfect stopoff for people walking their dogs, out for a walk or bike ride and for parents bringing their children to the play area, skate park and tennis courts, we were delighted when Epping Town Council upgraded the tennis courts.

The outside space has enabled me to provide hospitality for local community organisations such as Epping Rotary, The Epping-Eppingen twinning association, Brownies and others. We try to support any community activity being run in the Town, I entered a scarecrow when Epping in Bloom ran a Scarecrow festival and we won the first prize in the business category in the St John’s Christmas Tree festival in 2019.

Of course none of us could have predicted that I would be faced with a worldwide pandemic in the first year of being a small business owner and all the challenges we have had to overcome. My thanks go to all my staff who continue to support me in my aim to provide a warm welcome and great service and I am also grateful to all my loyal customers for their custom and friendship.

Our High teas and Cream teas are very popular, particularly for celebrating special occasions and we have recently introduced a new range of organic soups to the menu, all gluten free and some suitable for vegans.

Follow us on Facebook: Julie’s at Stonards.

Epping Monday Market The Epping Charter Market dates to 1253 when King Henry III granted the right for a weekly market to be held, which is on a Monday; of course back then it was a cattle market. As times have moved on and due to economic changes, the market has evolved whilst becoming a pivotal part of the community. Selling goods from clothing, shoes, bags, bedding, china, jewellery, fruit and veg, plants to bread, and pet food supplies, some of our traders have been part of the market for 30 years or more.

Market shopping outside can help lessen your risk of Covid-19 transmission. We have rearranged the position of the stalls to maximise space, and we continue to monitor this for the safety of both the customers and traders.

If like many people you have decided to embark on a career change, what better and economical way of showcasing your new business than to rent one of our casual trader pitches, for more details contact us at: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Epping Neighbourhood Plan The Committee reconvened when it was safe to do so with the Covid-19 pandemic and have been working on drawing the Neighbourhood Plan to a conclusion during 2021. The Neighbourhood Plan is in its final stages and once it goes to Epping Town Council shortly for sign off, it will be submitted to Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) for approval in 2022.

The Neighbourhood Plan needs to conform with EFDC’s Local Plan. However, Epping Neighbourhood Plan is a separate document to the EFDC’s Local Plan.

The Neighbourhood Plan, once voted by residents in a referendum would sit alongside EFDC’s Local Plan as a key planning document. It will be one of the documents against which future planning applications are judged in Epping Parish until 2033.

The Epping Neighbourhood Planning Advisory Committee is made up jointly of the local community and Epping Town Councillors. For further information about Epping Neighbourhood Planning, please visit our website: www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

6 TALK ABOUT EPPING

Town Council announces winners of best residential Christmas display competition The winners of the Epping Town Council’s Best Dressed Christmas Home Competition have been announced. The first prize winner is 1 Lindsey Street and the two second prize winners are 1 Clover Leas and 22 Rayfield.

The Town Mayor, Deputy Mayor and sponsor Luxe Watches looked at the entries, visited the shortlist and agreed the winners. Cllr Michael Wright, Town Mayor said: “This was the first time we ran the competition. We were so impressed by the efforts of the many residents to decorate their Christmas homes especially given the current pandemic that we are all in. Thank you so much to Luxe Watches for kindly sponsoring the prizes.”

The competition which was sponsored by Luxe Watches, of 219 High Street, Epping, who is providing a £200 first prize and two £50 joint second prizes.

Sales manager Oscar Strong said: “We are thrilled to be involved in such a fun community initiative. I was so impressed by the first prize winner’s amazing lights at 1 Lindsey Street which blew me away.”

The competition was open to all homes in the Parish of Epping, including Coopersale and Fiddlers Hamlet. The initiative aimed to help spread festive community spirit across the Parish and was an opportunity for residents to show off their festive lights and decorative displays.

Play in the Park 2022 The Easter Play in the Park session will take place on Tuesday 5th April 2022, 1.30pm-3.30pm at Stonards Hill recreation ground.

Parents and children can take part in a variety of sports games, arts and crafts, free of charge. For more information, please contact Epping Forest District Council on 01992 564226. The dates for the Summer Play in the Park sessions are to be confirmed, but will be held in the school holidays.

Stonards Hill recreation ground skate park Epping Town Council are hoping to refurbish the skate park at Stonards Hill recreation ground. The current skate park is well used, but has been in position since 2007.

The Town Council have been working with a group who are expert skate park users and they have been helping the Town Council undertake research and consultation to ensure we deliver a skate park that our skate park users want.

The design opposite has been chosen by the group and the Town Council. This project will now move forwards subject to successful funding.

If anyone would like to input, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Date for your diary: Epping Town Show, Sunday 3rd July 2022, Stonards Hill recreation ground.

The Town Show is a traditional summer fete with stalls, activities and arena entertainment. Email: gvallis@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk for more details.

TALK ABOUT EPPING 7

Where to direct your Council enquiries in Epping Different Councils have different responsibilities and look after different things. This short piece may help you direct your enquiry to the correct place. Although all tiers of local government, Councils are entirely separate, like separate organisations, so it isn’t possible to transfer people. You must contact each separately based on the service you need.

EPPING TOWN COUNCIL, EPPING HALL, ST JOHNS ROAD Monday Market, Bury Lane Cemetery, Meadow Road and Lower Bury Lane allotments, Stonards Hill recreation ground, Ivy Chimneys recreation ground, Lower Swaines recreation ground, Frampton Road recreation ground, Parklands playground Coopersale, Brook Road recreation ground, Lovelocks Meadow, Bakers Lane public toilets, Town Mayor, Town Councillors, Epping Hall, Jack Silley Pavilion, Town Clerk, Town Freemen, Talk About Epping Town Magazine, Christmas Market and lights, Epping Town Show, Epping Neighbourhood Plan, Planning & Licensing Consultee, Market Authority, trees on land mentioned above.

Tel: 01992 579444. Email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Website: www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL, CIVIC OFFICES, EPPING HIGH STREET For: Planning, Benefits, Council Tax, Housing, Rubbish, Environmental Health, Draft Local Plan, EFDC are the Local Planning Authority, selected tree management.

Tel: 01992 564000 Email: contact@eppingforestdc.gov.uk Website: www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL, COUNTY HALL, CHELMSFORD For: Roads, Pavements, Potholes, Street Lights, Social Services, Schools, Highways, Blue Badges, Registry Offices, Libraries.

The best way to contact Essex County Council is via their website and you can follow the links to report your problem. Website: www.essex.gov.uk (You should get an email acknowledgment.)

County Hall, Chelmsford. Tel: 0345 743 0430. Email: contact@essex.gov.uk Website: www.essex.gov.uk

Neighbourhood Action Panel information card Domestic Abuse What do you think is the most widespread crime in your local area? Most people assume it must be something like theft, or perhaps fraud. The truth is that it’s something that takes place behind closed doors, in people’s homes. It is domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is a complex crime which thrives on secrecy and taboos. The less people talk about it or acknowledge it, the more power abusers have. It can happen to anyone - though it affects women for more often than men. It can happen in any household – there is no ‘profile’ of an abused woman. She may be in poverty, or she may be financially comfortable. She may be of any ethnicity. She may be a well-known pillar of the community, or someone quiet and shy. But she is, almost certainly, a woman. The vast majority of domestic abuse is committed by men, against the women they are in a relationship with. She may live next door to you. She may even be you.

Domestic abuse is far more than being hit, or sustaining cuts and bruises. It includes coercive control, which became a crime in 2015. Coercive behaviour creates invisible chains that make someone feel it is impossible for them to leave their abuser, or that they cannot survive without them. It may look like someone being isolated from their friends or family, deprived of basic needs, having their finances or daily movements controlled, or being repeatedly put down, or told they are worthless. These things are not acts of love. They are abuse and control.

There are many people who still believe that abuse within relationships is simply ‘between the two people involved’. But it is the responsibility of the whole community to identify possible abuse, and to protect those who are either living within an abusive relationship (until it is safe for them to leave) or who have escaped an abuser and are rebuilding their lives.

If you, or someone you know, needs help, Changing Pathways supports people in Essex recovering from abuse. www.changingpathways.org 0330 333 7444.

8 TALK ABOUT EPPING

Ab Fab Fit Club: Barbell strength training There are HUGE benefits to strength training which is why we use kettlebells and dumbbells in most of our classes at AbFabFit Club. Weight bearing exercise stimulates your bones to grow denser and stronger, preventing the bone density loss that affects many women. Using weights, overtime increases your mobility too so it’s a win win as far as we are concerned.

At all of our gyms we have StrengthFIT classes using Barbells. One of the most significant benefits of barbell workouts is the unique ability to add additional load for a long period of time.

Barbell exercises train your entire body as a unit, the way it was designed to operate.

Because you are using more muscles, you can get very strong in these movements.

All else being equal, a strong individual is a faster individual, a more resilient individual and a more mobile individual. As you age, year on year you will lose muscle mass unless you perform strength training in your workouts. What better way to get fit than in our ladies only community that helps women get fitter and healthier without judgement.

Check out our social media pages.

Please call: 07401 158111 or email: enquiries@abfabfitclub.co.uk

Have you heard about the Refill Scheme?

Refill is an award-winning campaign that connects you to places to eat, drink and shop with less waste.

We know that Costa in Epping High Street is part of this scheme.

If you know of any other shops or businesses in the Parish who are involved in the scheme, please email us at: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk For more information, visit: https://www.refill.org.uk

Community information

WHERE TO FIND A DEFIBRILLATOR IN AND AROUND EPPING

•!Epping Forest District Council, CM16 4BZ. 01992 564000 •! Epping Forest District Council Depot CM16 4BD •! Epping Sports Centre, CM16 4LU. 01992 565670 •! St Johns Church, CM16 5DN. 01992 575570 •! Tesco Superstore, CM16 4BA. 0345 6779255 •! Epping Upper Clapton Rugby Club, CM16 6NL. 01992 572588 •! Epping Station, CM16 4HW •! Epping St John’s School, CM16 5JB, 01992 573028 •! The Specialist Orthodontic Practice, CM16 4BD, 01992 560456 •! Jack Silley Pavilion, 01992 579444 •! Marks and Spencer, CM16 4BP CHECK TIMINGS ON EPPING TOWN COUNCIL’S WEBSITE WWW.EPPINGTOWNCOUNCIL.GOV.UK

TALK ABOUT EPPING 9

Another successful St John’s Church Christmas Tree Festival From the 3rd to 6th of December St John’s Church, Epping, held its 17th annual Christmas Tree Festival.

Every year this event brings together the community allowing representatives from local businesses, schools and community groups to decorate trees in a fun competition. Over the 4 days of the Festival more than 2000 visitors came, judged the trees and voted for their favourites whilst enjoying food and drink from the in-house café and browsing the various stalls.

There were performances by The Children’s Concert musicians/singers directed by Sally Johnston, Coopersale Hall School Choir and the Epping Forest Brass Band.

Town Mayor, Councillor Michael Wright, opened the event turning on the Christmas Tree Lights.

The Reverend Lee Batson said: “The Tree Festival in 2021 was a huge success, welcoming a record number of visitors and raising around £14,000. It was a particular joy to see people returning after last year's event was cancelled. We are grateful to all the schools, businesses and community organisations who decorated trees and made the festival such a great beginning of Epping's celebration of Christmas. We are delighted that this combined effort helped to raise much needed funds for Voluntary Action Epping Forest and Safer Places, as well as for the work of the church. We would also like to thank the volunteers who welcomed and served people; and particularly Jacqui Mortimer for organising everything. We look forward to seeing you all again at Tree Festival 2022.”

After the event the Scouts from the 1st Theydon Garnon Scout Group spent the evening counting the votes.

The winners were: Best Local Community Organisation or Club Tree - The Copped Hall Trust Best Youth Church Organisation Tree Church Mice Best Adult Church Organisation Tree – Epping Team Best Epping Business Tree – Home Instead Senior Care Best Youth Organisation Tree – Epping & Theydon Rainbows Best School/Nursery Tree - Ivy Chimneys Primary School Best Private Individual Entry Tree – Jennie Heath & Samantha Bentley

Epping Town Council Community Award 2020 Town Mayor Cllr Michael Wright was delighted to present Jacqui Mortimer with Townsperson of the Year 2020 for her outstanding contribution to the community. Jacqui’s hard work for the community includes the St John’s Church Christmas Tree Festival, Friends of Swaines Green, 1st Theydon Garnon Scouts and her assistance and support to the work of the hospital during the coronavirus Covid-19 health situation. Jacqui received many nominations and was a very worthy winner. Well done.

Our thanks to David Jackman, Everything Epping Forest, for providing several of the photographs in this edition. Everything Epping Forest provides regularly updated local news which is available by email and on social media.

For more details, email everythingeppingforest@gmail.com With thanks to Epping Ongar Railway for our lovely cover photograph to mark their 10th anniversary. Cover picture: Pitchford 3 by Andy Duncan.

10 TALK ABOUT EPPING

Lower Swaines playground refurbishment Epping Playground Association have been working very hard fundraising for the new multi-age playground at Lower Swaines recreation ground. The group have made wonderful progress and have reached approximately £60,000 of their £120,000 target.

The group was established

by Epping Town Council who are working with the Playground Association on the project and who will maintain the new playground once in situ.

If anyone knows of a business who may wish to support the playground, in return for advertising, we are still in need of experts in fencing, groundworks and surfacing.

Please contact: eppingplaygroundassociation@gmail.com or info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk for more details.

There are many ways you can help, so please do get in touch if it is a project you are interested in.

If the fundraising target is reached, ideally by March/April 2022, this exciting new multi-age, inclusive playground will be installed.

A huge well done to Epping Playground Association for all their hard work so far.

Epping Town Council offer grants to local organisations in Epping Parish and that benefit those in Epping parish. Grant deadlines are 1st March and 1st September each year.

Please see Epping Town Council’s website for eligibility and application details.

Email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

The Epping Society: Epping’s green and pleasant land Our town is known for the green places we have in the centre; they are a key part of the “feel” of our town. We are talking firstly about the roadside verges in the Southern part of town – South of St John’s Road, on both sides of the High Street.

A lot of them are under mature trees. People enjoy strolling there, walking their dogs, watching the crocuses and daffodils bloom, or just enjoying the view; there are cultural & social activities too.

The problem is that some drivers seem to regard these green areas as additional car-parking spaces.

Next time you go into town look for the damage – broken kerbs, grass crushed to mud, soil eroded, roots being cut into, risking the health of the trees. For example, by the Epping Forest District Council depot there is now a two-metre wide mud swamp, instead of a fresh green strip. In another place, broken paving slabs have been arranged to enable parking on what was once grass. We are working to deal with this; with Town & District Councils, Essex County Council, Highways, the Forest Conservators etc, but it is proving slow and complicated – local Councils are being fairly supportive, but with no progress so far. The Parking “wardens” say they are not sure of their powers, as the grass is not a highway. Essex County Council Highways after an inspection have refused to take action. If you share our concern, may we ask you to take part in some “citizen power”? Take a photo of any vehicle you see parked up on the grass – please do not get into a confrontation; and do not snap the number plate.

Then email it to your local Councillors, along with the date/time; a quick internet search will give you the contacts for Town / District / County councillors; or send them to us at: info@eppingsociety.org.uk

TALK ABOUT EPPING 11

Christmas shop window competition winners The festive window at Hammond and Smith in Epping High Street has won Epping Town Council's annual award for the best Christmas window display.

The estate agents’ display was the favourite in a public vote organised for the Town Council by local news and information service Everything Epping Forest.

Hammond and Smith were presented with the Audrey Rose Cup which is named after a former Epping Mayor and is presented annually to the best Christmas window display.

The display at Rosewood Pharmacy received a Mayor's Choice award and a bottle of champagne was presented to Piccola as part of a prize draw. The champagne was kindly donated by Epping Forest District Council.

The prizes were presented by Town Mayor Councillor Michael Wright at the Epping Town Council’s December Christmas Market.

The Music Den at Hemnall Social Club On 14th December, The Music Den had its final event for 2021.

Once again it was a great evening with the music supplied by Bad Influence, a group comprising of Val Cowell, with a voice as strong and clear as Janis Joplin, superb guitar support from Richard Hayes and a rhythm section of Pete Stroud on base and Andrew on drums. The audience were very appreciative of the groups encore of Money, That’s What I Want, originally made famous by the Beatles.

The monthly schedule for 2022 is now complete and there will also be a few -presentsadditions as specials. The first event for 2022 is scheduled for Tuesday 15th Mike Hatchard February and features the return of Mike Hatchard.

Acclaimed Jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster & entertainer Live in Epping!

Those that attended his 2021 event will recall his superb talent. He covered popular songs, standards, jazz and even a small piece of opera. He even wrote a blues number from suggested topics from the audience.

Hemnall Social Club 50 Hemnall Street Epping, Essex CM16 4LS

Tuesday 8th March Tuesday 5th April Tuesday 10th May

Nigel Bagge Band The Jigantics Cadillac Kings

Tuesday 15th February 2022 Please spread the word, Support Live Music in Epping Details: Hemnall Social Club; website and FB, The Music Den Epping FB Tickets wegottickets.com and direct from the Club. Contact: Dennis Timbers Mobile 07768811706 email: dennistimbers@msn.com

Annual Town Meeting: Thursday 21st April 2022, 6.30pm for 7pm start. At Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping. CM16 5JU Why not come along and discuss matters of interest to Epping residents, that relate to Epping Parish and over which Epping Town Council have some influence over.

Talk to your local Town Councillors and other representatives about any issues or concerns.

Please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk to register your interest in attending.

Doors Open 7.00pm - Music 8.00pm Tickets £12.00 (Members £10.00) Available from Club, on door on night, or ‘We Got Tickets.Com’

The Music Den - Epping

Safer Epping Group Epping Town Council lead a Safer Epping Group to discuss issues relating to Crime and Safety in Epping Parish.

The group generally meets bi-monthly and includes representatives from local schools, churches, councillors, police and our retail and business community. Please look out for details on the Town’s noticeboards, Epping Town Council’s website and on Social Media.

Meetings are often held in St John’s Church, Epping. CM16 5DN. www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Epping Town Council information COUNCILLORS 2019-2023 Members - Hemnall Ward Cllr N Avey Cllr C Burgess Cllr C McCredie Cllr B Scruton Cllr M-L Whitbread Cllr J Whitehouse

nigel.avey@btinternet.com christine_burgess@hotmail.com 07831 501598 01992 572333 mlwhitbread1@gmail.com 01992 561875 jon@jonwhitehouse.org.uk

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Please note: meetings are currently in-person meetings and will be held at Epping Hall unless otherwise stated.

February 2022

March 2022

Members - St John’s Ward Cllr S Baker Cllr J Duffell Cllr R Griffiths Cllr H Pegrum Cllr G Scruton Cllr M Wright

07948 767959 Simonbaker348@btinternet.com 07847 357493 johnduffell@live.co.uk 07917 841823 griffiths74@gmail.com 01992 572173 grscruton@gmail.com 07926 516097

Cllr N Avey, Cllr C McCredie and Cllr Jon Whitehouse are also District Councillors.

Other Local Representatives EFDC & ECC Cllr Chris Whitbread (01992 573557) Cllr.Christopher.Whitbread@essex.gov.uk EFDC Cllr Les Burrows (01992 572003) cllr.lburrows@eppingforestdc.gov.uk EFDC & ECC Cllr Holly Whitbread (07508 180426) holly.whitbread@btinternet.com EFDC Cllr Janet Whitehouse (01992 812503) cllrjanetwhitehouse@gmail.com MP: Dame Eleanor Laing MP (020 8508 6608) eleanor.laing.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.

April 2022

May 2022

8 Planning 6.30pm 8 COUNCIL 7.30pm 22 Planning 6.30pm 22 Corp Gov 7.30pm 8 Planning 6.30pm 8 COUNCIL 7.30pm 22 Planning 6.30pm 12 Planning 6.30pm 12 COUNCIL 7.30pm 26 Planning 6.30pm 10 Planning 6.30pm 10 ANNUAL COUNCIL 7.30pm 24 Planning 6.30pm

FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING, SEE EPPING TOWN COUNCIL’S WEBSITE FOR MEETINGS

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 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.

talk about epping deadlines Articles for the next edition of Talk About Epping must be submitted before 18 April 2022 (Summer issue) and 26 July 2022 (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 new website:

www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Follow us on twitter: @eppingtown Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/epping.towncouncil

TALK ABOUT EPPING is published by EPPING TOWN COUNCIL Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping, Essex, CM16 5JU Tel: 01992 579444 Fax: 01992 579446 email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk