Talk About Epping Spring 2024

TALK ABOUT EPPING TOWN MAGAZINE

SPRING 2024

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The Mayor’s view My thanks to those who took part on a very cold day, either actually running the market or coming to enjoy themselves.

Santa made an early start to his work settling in the fire station.

The market this year It’s my pleasure to was sponsored by welcome you to the Funky Monk, and this latest edition of Talk is a good opportunity About Epping. to promote your We have a vibrant town business. If you would with a great like to sponsor the community spirit and market or lights next there have been some year, please contact truly notable events the Town Council. recently.

Carols on the Green, In November, I was run by the Rotary Club honoured to attend the of Epping, was another Remembrance Day huge success, with Parade and Church several thousand Service which were people gathering to particularly well celebrate the start of supported; people Christmas. Rotary from all walks of life plays an important part came together to in our Christmas honour those who celebrations, made sacrifices for sponsoring the their country.

Christmas Tree and I attended several playing host to Santa events in Epping in as he tours Epping on celebration of the his sleigh. cultural diversity of our Before Christmas, I had town. Diwali, or The the joy of choosing the Festival of Lights, Mayor’s Christmas indicating the triumph card from many of light over darkness, designs submitted by is an important Hindu local school children. festival throughout the It was so difficult. The world. artistry shown by these Another important youngsters was event was the lighting amazing. Thank you to of the Menorah in the everyone who took part.

High Street. This marks I also had the pleasure the beginning of of accompanying two Hanukkah, the Jewish of our local children Festival of Lights, when they chose the celebrating hope and best Christmas display resilience. from the shops in the The annual Christmas High Street. Reef and Tree Festival in St Reptiles was finally John’s Church had a chosen as the winner. beautiful display of I hope you all enjoyed Christmas trees these community decorated by various events and others run clubs and businesses by the Town Council around Epping. throughout the year.

Another celebration I look forward to of lights! meeting many of you The Christmas Market at the next ones. was a great success A belated Happy New with so many people Year to you all. enjoying the wonderful atmosphere and stalls.

Christine Burgess

St John’s Church Christmas Tree Festival From 1st to 4th December, St John’s Church held its 20th annual Christmas Tree Festival.

There were performances

by Coopersale Hall School Choir and the Epping Forest Brass Band.

Town Mayor, Councillor Christine Burgess, opened the event turning on the Christmas tree lights.

The Reverend Olivia Maxfield-Coote said: “It was wonderful to welcome over 2000 people into St John’s Church for its annual Christmas Tree Festival. They were able to see 57 trees decorated by various schools, businesses, voluntary organisations and faith groups in what was a celebration of all that makes up our community in Epping. In addition to raising funds for the work of the church, proceeds will also go to support the work of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

We are very grateful to all who made the festival such a huge success.”

The Scouts from the 1st Theydon Garnon Scout Group spent the Tuesday evening afterswards counting the votes.

The winners were: 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 – Epping Bell Ringers Best Epping Business Tree – Julie’s at Stonards Best Youth Organisation Tree – 2nd & 4th Epping (St John’s) Brownies Best School/Nursery Tree – Ivy Chimneys Primary School Thank you to everyone who took part and visited and congratulations to all the winners.

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Epping Christmas Market Epping Town Council’s Christmas Market took place on Saturday 2nd December and was a great success.

There were over 50 stalls featuring crafts, gifts, food and drink (including a hog roast, pizza, mulled wine and roast chestnuts).

The entertainment programme included contributions from local schools as well as adult choirs, Epping Forest Band, Epping Tower bell ringers and to finish a few Christmas songs from singer Martin Bell. Mickey Mouse, Olaf from Frozen and Elf on the Shelf made an appearance to meet and greet the children.

Town Mayor, Cllr Christine Burgess presented the Audrey Rose Cup to Epping Reef and Reptiles for the best Christmas Shop window.

The winner was chosen with the expert help from Imogen from Coopersale Hall School and Dylan from Epping Primary School.

Epping Town Council lit up the trees on the High Street in time for the festive season including the annual central Christmas tree on the ‘piazza’.

The Christmas Market ran alongside the St John’s Church Tree Festival and the Fire Station hosted Santa and various stalls on the same day. Epping Library joined in with crafts, therapy dogs and storytelling.

The Christmas tree was a particularly special one as it was donated by the Wood Family. The Rotary Club of Epping once again sponsored the Christmas tree and made donations to two charities. A big thank you to the Wood Family and the Rotary too. Thank you to the volunteers who helped at the Christmas Market as well as the entertainers, stallholders and everyone who attended the event. A big thanks to Funky Monk Epping Restaurant and Rooms on Epping High Street for sponsoring this year’s Christmas market. Ryan from Funky Monk, said: “We are happy to support the Epping Christmas Market.

What a wonderful community event to be involved with.”

Other thank yous go to Qualis for giving us free car parking in If you would like to sponsor the Christmas lights or Cottis Yard, Epping Forest District Council Christmas market in 2024 to promote your for supplying additional bins and Mullucks business, please contact Epping Town Council on: estate agents for the use of their letting info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk boards and producing publicity leaflets.

Epping Town Council: Town Show for your diary The popular Epping Town Show is back on Sunday 7th July from 12 noon to 5pm. This free entry event on the Town Council’s Stonards Hill Recreation Ground will have the funfair, entertainment, craft and charity stalls, food and drinks vendors and side shows like circus skills, mascot characters and a climbing wall. More details in the next issue of Talk About Epping.

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Safer Epping meetings Our next meeting is on Monday 26th February at 6pm, Link WorkSpace,116 High Street, Epping, by kind invitation of Sharmila Beolanth.

All are welcome to attend and raise safety issues. Although not essential, it is helpful if any issues could be sent beforehand to: mccrediecherry@gmail.com to allow a more informed response.

There will be a short presentation on fire safety for which we thank our local fire team.

Sharmila will be providing tea and coffee.

Safer Epping was developed by Epping Town Council, working with councillors, residents, businesses, community partners and the Police to try and make Epping as safe as possible.

Christmas thank you to Church’s Butchers On Christmas Day, Church’s Butchers paid for and donated a three-course lunch to a group of Thornwood residents who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day. Kathleen and John Wood and Shirley Hawkins laid on the Christmas Day Lunch and would like to thank the John Cousins family and team from Church’s Butchers for this act of kindness.

Bell ringing echoes through our town In the heart of our town, a timeless tradition resonates through the air, carrying with it the rich tapestry of history – bell ringing. Nestled within the tower of St John’s Church, these bells have been a steadfast symbol of community, spirituality and celebration for a long time.

The art of bell ringing, or campanology, is more than just a melodic chime; it is a communal activity that binds generations. Every peel of the bells tells a story, from joyous weddings and festive holidays to solemn remembrances. The skilled hands of local bell ringers, often hidden from view, manoeuvre the ropes with a precision that transforms the metallic tones into a harmonious symphony.

Beyond its melodic allure, bell ringing is a craft passed down through the ages, fostering a sense of continuity and pride. Epping has a keen community of bell enthusiasts who dedicate hours to perfecting their art, ensuring that this unique heritage endures for future generations.

Bell ringing is more than a sound – it is a living tradition, a thread connecting our past, present, and future. So, the next time you hear the enchanting chimes, take a moment to appreciate the echoes of our town’s history and the skilled hands that keep this beautiful tradition alive.

If you’d like to know more, why not come along to one of our practice nights, (Mondays, 7.30pm) or message ian.apps112@gmail.com There are lots of great community groups in Epping. If you would like to tell everyone about yours, please email us at: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk so we can include information in our forthcoming issues.

Talk About Epping has a wide local readership, so we would be delighted to share details and stories from local groups and organisations.

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY SWAINES GREEN MAY FAYRE Saturday 11th May 2024, Lower Swaines recreation ground, Epping Run by The Friends of Swaines Green CLASSIC CAR SHOW Sunday 21st July 2024 Stonards Hill recreation ground, Epping Run by the Rotary Club of Epping Look out for more information on both events nearer the times.

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Mayor’s Christmas Card competition Our annual ‘Design the Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition’ took place in December, with many entries from local primary schools.

With so many brilliant designs, it was a hard choice for the Mayor, Cllr Christine Burgess, though it is with great pleasure that we announce the winner and runners-up below: Winner: Eloise Darby, Age 7, Coopersale Hall School Runners-up: Evie Viglaska-Nowaz, Age 4, Ivy Chimneys Primary School George Glassock, Age 6, Coopersale Hall School Lily Barton, Age 6, Coopersale Hall School Yasmin Shiraji, Age 6, Coopersale Hall School Thank you to all that took part. If you didn’t get the chance to enter, we will be having another competition later this year, so keep an eye out for that.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Cherry McCredie assisted the Mayor in choosing the winners and presented the children’s certificates and gifts on her behalf.

The Music Den, Epping During the month of October, The Den featured two artists on tour from the US. Debbie Bond from Alabama entertained the audience and even invited the host to accompany her on one of her numbers on his harp (not too sure how successful though). On Sunday 15th, Hamilton Loomis from Texas ended his UK and European Tour at The Den, entertaining a capacity audience with some superb guitar and harp playing. Hopefully both artists will return sometime in the future.

During the month of November, there was three Den events, Jamie Williams, American Folk, Kara Grainger on tour from Nashville and The Fat Penguins with a selection of rock n’ roll covers for the audience to sing along to. All were extremely successful and enjoyable. 2023 ended with The Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion, once again playing to an appreciative audience.

Thank you all for supporting LIVE MUSIC IN EPPING and making it another successful year. Looking forward to seeing you all back again in 2024.

EVENTS FOR 2024 30th January 13th February 27th February 12th March 26th March

Stompin’ Dave & Earl Jackson Mike Hatchard and Lianne Carroll Sam Kelly’s Station House The Cadillac Kings The Ugly Guys

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The Epping Society Spring 2024 It is a little while ago, but a Happy New Year to all.

The end of 2023 brought many joys – school plays, lots of concerts, the Christmas Market, Carols on the Green, St John’s Tree Festival and many family gatherings. The Society’s Committee enjoyed a seasonal meal at a local Indian restaurant; but not at the expense of members.

Unfortunately, there were a number of disappointments. Among those was the delayed opening of the new multistorey car park; where there seemed to be a fair amount of public dissatisfaction.

We raised safety questions, to which the developers Qualis responded very quickly with temporary barriers. We are still in discussion to see if some of the other problems can be looked at.

Similarly, the permission given by Epping Forest District Council to Qualis to reduce/abandon the expectation to build 40% of affordable houses in the two large town centre developments; as originally set out in the Local Plan.

The Epping Society spoke and campaigned against this; but sadly the opportunities for our local people and especially young families will have been reduced by this change.

We have continued to talk to Councils and other bodies about parking problems in Epping Town - all residents will know how difficult this is and it seems to be worsening. These problems are not insolvable, but it is often difficult to get back to who owns the land, who is responsible, or who makes decisions. We would urge residents (not just our members) to report problems and issues – to Councils, to Police, to Parking Bodies, etc; numbers are the lever.

We sometimes get the response of “no-one else has complained”, but we carry on.

Looking forward, optimistically, one of our new Committee members has taken on the role of liaising with Essex Police, partly through the Safer Epping Forum. He is highlighting nitrous oxide misuse (now illegal) and parking.

Lastly, we are delighted to announce our new website, www.eppingsociety.org with lots of information, updates, links, a public forum and even merchandise. We would welcome your views.

Learn to dance with Ceroc in Epping Learn to dance with Ceroc in Epping, Essex. Step into a world of fun, fitness, and fabulous moves, as Ceroc takes centre stage in Epping, offering a vibrant and welcoming dance community for all.

Ceroc dancing is not just a dance; it’s a social experience that brings people together in the most entertaining and energising way. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete novice, Ceroc in Epping has something for everyone. Join our friendly and supportive community that embraces all skill levels, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the thrill of dancing.

Located at Epping Hall in the heart of Epping, our Ceroc dance classes offer the perfect blend of modern jive and Latin dance styles. Led by experienced and passionate instructors, you’ll learn exciting routines that will have you gliding across the dance floor with confidence. The classes are designed to be accessible and enjoyable, making it easy to pick up the moves and have a blast in the process.

What sets Ceroc apart is its emphasis on social dancing. Epping’s Ceroc community hosts regular social events, giving dancers the chance to practice their newfound skills and make lasting connections. It is not just about the steps, it’s about the joy of dancing with others and building a supportive dance family.

Get ready to spice up your evenings in Epping with Ceroc. Whether you’re looking for a fantastic way to stay active, meet new people, or just have a good time, Ceroc dancing is the answer.

Join us and discover the excitement of moving to the music, making friends and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out – grab your dancing shoes and let the Ceroc revolution sweep you off your feet! https://www.ceroc.com/24/classes Every Tuesday Evening, Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping, CM16 5JU Complete Beginner Class every week at 7:30pm Link for full details: https://www.ceroc.com/24/131/ceroc-epping?id=25

Epping at the Movies Next showing at Epping Hall, St Johns Road, on Friday 22nd March and Saturday 23rd March 2024. Contact: eppingatthemovies.com

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Girlguiding news Have you started the New Year wanting to explore new challenges, get involved in your local community or develop new skills, for personal development or your career?

Joining Girlguiding will achieve any or all of these targets.

Girlguiding Epping and Theydon District currently runs 12 Units for Rainbows (4-7), Brownies (7-10), Guides (10-14) and Rangers (14-18) with an informal INSPIRE group for the girls aged 18-25. We also offer opportunities for young leaders, volunteers on the DoE award, activities and travel, both here and abroad, for both adults and young people and opportunities to train as an instructor – most recently locally axe-throwing and climbing.

In the last term we took part in the Remembrance parades at Epping, Theydon Bois and Theydon Garnon and the 2nd and 4th Epping Brownies won their class in the Christmas Tree Festival with their Happea Christmas, Peas be with You tree. The three Rainbows Units (1st and 2nd Epping and Theydon Bois) also decorated a Tree with a Twist, ran a tombola stall as part of the Christmas Market, raising funds for camping equipment and helped at the Christmas Tree Festival in St John’s Church. Guides and Rangers attended the last Wellies and Wristbands festival at the end of August, 1st Epping Guides with Ongar Guides spent the first weekend in January at the Pedal Car Olympics and we have more camps booked this term. We ran a Brownie Craft Day on the 9th December (giving parents a shopping day and the girls a chance to try a range of games and crafts) and a Guide Interest Badge session in November. We had exclusive access to see WISH on 9th and 10th December at Odeon cinemas and organised trips to the pantomime, took part in the Harvest Festival and Christingle Services in Epping, Theydon Garnon and Theydon Bois.

My aim, as the new District Commissioner, is to be able to place the girls on our waiting list in Units, but to achieve this, we need another 2 Brownie and 4 or 5 Rainbow Units for the girls aged 5 or over and we cannot run more Units without more adult helpers. We would love any help you could offer, from helping in a Unit, offering time to set up or clear away or other tasks, such as the accounts, or getting more involved by joining Girlguiding as a volunteer. In return you will enjoy time with the girls and other volunteers, get involved in local activities and meet others in your community. Girlguiding also offers training in transferrable skills such as first aid, safeguarding, inclusion, mentoring, finances and running events and team building. Many Leaders in Girlguiding have been promoted using experience they gained through Guiding before they had that experience through their work. If you are interested, please contact either me, Shanne Woodhouse, Epping and Theydon District Commissioner on GGETBDistrictCommissioner@outlook.com or through the Girlguiding website https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/

Retro Aerobics in Epping It’s the time of year when we start to think about how we can be fitter and healthier after the indulgences of Christmas and New Year. We often start with good intentions of exercising more, but our enthusiasm starts to wane and it all starts to become a bit of a chore if we are not enjoying ourselves.

Helen Clark started her Retro Aerobics classes in Epping in November and says: “We all know that exercise is good for our bodies, but we often forget that it is beneficial to our mental wellbeing too. And for me, it has to be fun!”

The physical benefits are well documented: weight management, lowering blood pressure, increasing stamina and strength, along with warding off viral illnesses. In terms of mental wellbeing, it can reduce anxiety or depression, boost our mood and improve cognitive function.

The classes contain aerobics and dance moves, which are gradually put together to build a routine. You are so busy concentrating on the next move, that you forget the stresses of everyday life, even if it’s just for that hour.

It is a hi/lo impact class meaning that it is suitable for all fitness levels including beginners. Original artist music is used, usually from the 70s, 80s and 90s (it is “retro” after all) and everyone enjoys dancing along to some fantastic tunes. The first class of the new year featured Earth, Wind and Fire, Take That, Depeche Mode, The Communards and Blondie. Helen’s classes are on Monday evenings at 7pm in the Catholic Church Hall, Church Hill and Tuesday mornings at 10am in Epping Hall, St John’s Road. The cost is £5 per class. More information can be found on the website: www.helenclarkfitness.co.uk or follow Helen Clark Fitness on Facebook

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Rotary brings Christmas joy to Epping Epping Rotary once again worked with partners to create a festive mood in the Town for our community to enjoy. The Club sponsored the Town Council Christmas Tree on the Piazza and dressed a tree in the annual Christmas Tree Festival in St Johns Church; the theme of the Rotary tree was ‘Hope in the World’.

Santa spent a great deal of time in Epping this year. He visited the Rotary Grotto in Epping Hall where children spent time with him, danced with the Elves and went away with a bag of presents. Epping Rotary members were also supported by Santa during their collections for charity, both at Tesco and in the High Street. Santa and his sleigh toured the streets of Epping, Theydon Bois and North Weald for eight nights bringing joy and excitement to children and adults alike.

For the 21st year, The Rotary Clubs of Epping held their annual Christmas Eve Carols on the Green and the event was a resounding success. Residents and visitors alike gathered for a joyful holiday celebration. Against the backdrop of Epping’s idyllic town green, over 2000 people from Epping and other nearby towns came together in good cheer and festive spirit for an unforgettable evening.

The event has grown into a popular tradition for the Epping community. It began with a humble karaoke machine and 50 attendees and has since evolved into a cornerstone of the town’s holiday celebrations. Led by a choir performing holiday favourites, families joined together in singing classic carols, reflecting the Rotary Club’s dedication to fostering community spirit and goodwill.

The 2023 Christmas Eve Carols on the Green not only provided a magical and memorable experience for all who attended, but also highlighted the Rotary Club’s year-round dedication to making a positive impact on the community.

The event was a true reflection of the holiday spirit and brought together the Epping community in a heartwarming display of togetherness and goodwill. The Rotary Club of Epping supports local, national and international charitable causes. On behalf of Epping Rotary Club, I extend my thanks to all those who made donations during 2023. The Rotary Club continues to be a friendly space for professionals to meet and chat about ideas, as well as making a positive impact on communities local and worldwide. Please visit our website www.eppingrotary.org to find our more and we welcome new members.

Barbara Scruton, President

Epping Monday Market Epping Monday Market is open every Monday in Epping High Street, from 8am to 4pm (approx). The market sells a wide range of goods. For more information, contact Epping Town Council on: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or telephone: 01992 579444.

Stonards Hill recreation ground skate park Epping Town Council has been awarded £115,000 in grant funding by the National Lottery for the replacement of the skate park at Stonards Hill recreation ground. Qualis also awarded Epping Town Council £30,000 towards the skate park through their S106 planning obligations to support green spaces. With kind thanks to both for facilitating this £145,000 project.

The proposals intend to replace and update the existing skatepark, providing the local community with an area that all ages and skill levels can use. The project is being undertaken by Betongpark, who have created some of London’s best-loved skateparks and sports areas. Our replacement skate park will respect the landscape of the green space, whilst giving Epping a state-of-the-art facility.

More updates to follow.

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Tennis at Stonards Hill recreation ground If you are looking for a new way to keep active this year, why not start with a game of tennis?

Our tennis courts at Stonards Hill are available to use year-round, with availability between 08am and 8.30pm, meaning you can play whenever you choose to.

Bookings are free during daylight hours and £1.50 per 30-minute slot after sunset.

Floodlights are automated to switch on for all bookings taking place in reduced daylight hours and this charge is to support this.

If you would like to book a court, please use this link to access the available slots: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/StonardsHillTennisCourts If you play regularly, why not sign up for our annual Stonards Hill tennis pass?

There are no extra costs, this is a one off fee giving you access to the following benefits: • Reserve your court — online court booking up to 14 days in advance to guarantee your court (non tennis pass members receive 5 days advance booking rights) • Play after dark or play all year round? All tennis pass members will have floodlights included in their booking at no extra cost (non tennis pass members pay £1.50 per 30 minutes) • Play 365 days a year and a maximum of 5 times per week, up to 2 hours for each booking (non tennis pass members can play 2 times a week for up 1 hour for each booking) The pass comes at a cost of £30 per year, and can be accessed at: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/StonardsHillTennisCourts/Membership/Join

Probus Club Meets monthly at the Lindsey Street Community Association, Frampton Road, Epping for lunch followed by an invited speaker. Retired or semi-retired men interested in joining, please contact Club Secretary, Mr Hilary Dodd on 01992 560381.

Epping Hall and the Jack Silley Pavilion hall hire Looking to hire a venue space? Epping Hall or Jack Silley Pavilion could be the perfect option for you.

Whether it is a wedding, a party, a club or another event you are looking to host, why not use one of these local facilities? Epping Hall has three spaces for hire, including a conference room, main hall and garden lounge.

The three spaces can be booked out for hire at the same time or separately and are available from 8am-11.30pm from Monday to Saturday and 10:30pm on Sundays. Jack Silley Pavilion has two rooms for hire and is an ideal venue for play schemes, children’s parties and other club meetings. Both can be booked from 8am to midnight from Monday to Saturday and from 10am until midnight on Sunday. Hire costs for both venues vary, working on basic, local and charity rates.

For more information or to enquire about hiring either venue, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01992 579444.

Epping’s Town Sign on the Town Green has been damaged in the bad weather. The sign is safely with the sign maker and will be reinstalled in due course. The sign is an important feature, making reference to special things associated with our historic market town, including the stag, market charter and Essex County Council logo. The sign is hand made, so will take a little time to craft. It is in safe hands.

The sign is one of a pair, the other being on Tower Road Green near the Tower School.

The signs are made and looked after by Epping Town Council.

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

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St Clare Hospice St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, Essex CM17 9JX GriefLine, the leading local free telephone support service run by St Clare Hospice has expanded its service hours to better meet the needs of people experiencing grief and loss.

GriefLine (01279 945089) is now open from 8am to 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 8am to 8pm every Tuesday and Thursday. It is run by a team of St Clare Hospice staff and volunteers, trained to deliver emotional support to those who are struggling with their grief.

It doesn’t matter if your loss was recently or in the past. GriefLine can also help if you are looking for support for a family member, friend or young person. No previous connection to St Clare Hospice is required to access support. GriefLine is free to call, though charges may apply in line with your standard network rate. For more information visit: griefline.co.uk St Clare Hospice hosts a new creative bereavement café for children and young people who have been impacted by the loss of someone close to them. When a child or young person is experiencing grief, it can be difficult for them to process their thoughts and express their feelings. St Clare Hospice’s free Echo Connect Creative Bereavement Cafés can help children and young people find ways to express themselves and their emotions through creative activities. Run by the St Clare Patient and Family Support Team, the sessions are held in the Community Space at the Hospice in Hastingwood from 5pm and 6.30pm on 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month for children aged 7 to 11 years and the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month for children aged 12 to 16 years. Email: bereavement@stclarehospice.org.uk If you are living with a non-curable condition, such as cancer, heart, lung or kidney disease, MND or Parkinson’s, dementia or frailty, or are supporting a family member or friend who is, then St Clare Hospice is here to help.

We have launched a new weekly drop-in at the Hospice every Friday morning for people to access emotional and practical support and advice, as well as connect with others in a similar situation. Come along anytime between 10am and 12pm to speak to St Clare’s Patient and Family Support Team, ask questions and talk through any worries or concerns you may have. No appointment is necessary. For more information, contact the Patient and Family Support Team on 01279 773762 or email: pfsadmin@stclarehospice.org.uk St Clare’s new Dementia-Friendly Gardening Club, taking place every Thursday at the Hospice 10am and 12pm, aims to support people to live well with dementia by offering the opportunity to connect with the natural world and enjoy the physical, social and therapeutic benefits of gardening and nature-related craft activities.

Led by trained volunteers, sessions are held outdoors (weather permitting) or in the Hospice’s Community Space and are run alongside St Clare’s Dementia Carers’ Café so attendees can potter, plant and grow while their carers take some time apart to relax with a hot drink and meet with others in a similar situation. Spaces for the Dementia-Friendly Gardening Club are limited, so booking is essential. Call St Clare’s Community Engagement team on 07534 031702.

People with motor neurone disease, their relatives and carers, can expect a friendly welcome at a new monthly coffee morning hosted by the MND Association at Café Clare. Come along and connect with the MND Association, their volunteers and others living with, or affected by, MND over refreshments at your local Hospice on the second Friday of the month between 10am and 12pm. For more information, visit www.stclarehospice.org.uk or contact Justine Cox at: justine.cox@mndassociation.org or 01604 800659.

St Clare Hospice has launched a new weekly drop-in for anyone who is supporting a family member or friend with a non-curable condition, such as cancer, dementia, a neurological condition like MND, or a long-term lung, heart or kidney condition. St Clare’s patient and family support team is available every Friday morning to talk through any worries or concerns you may have, as well as offer emotional and practical support, advice and information.

Email: pfsadmin@stclarehospice.org.uk or call on 01279 773762.

St Clare’s Fatigue Management Group can help you manage this common symptom caused by COPD, pulmonar fibrosis, cancer, heart failure and neurological conditions. Over 80% of people with a life-limiting condition report experiencing fatigue. This free, four-week course can teach you tools and techniques to manage your fatigue, understand how it affects your daily life and help you to live well. The group is for all adults aged over 18, who are diagnosed with a life-limiting condition. You need to be registered with a West Essex GP or on the East Herts border.

If you think you could benefit from the support of our Fatigue Management Group, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. Call our First Contact Service on 01279 773774 or email: patients@stclarehospice.org.uk St Clare Hospice Charity Shops would really appreciate any donations of pre-loved goods. They need good quality women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, shoes and bags, furniture – sofas, tables, chairs and wardrobes, games and toys, books, CDs and vinyl and preloved school uniforms.

To donate, visit your local St Clare Hospice shop. Find your closest shop by visiting stclarehospice.org.uk/shops

Annual Town Meeting: Thursday 9th May 2024 Come along and talk to Epping Town Councillors about issues of concern in Epping Town and Parish. Send in your questions beforehand so we can answer as many as possible. To see what Epping Town Council look after and may be able to help with, see page opposite.

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Council responsibilities DO YOU NEED TO REPORT SOMETHING? Here is a table showing you what each council is responsible for, feel free to cut out and keep.

EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

Tiers of di昀erent councils and their responsibili琀es 1 -

www.essex.gov.uk Main contact number is 03456037631

www.essex.gov.uk/local-councils

EPPING TOWN COUNCIL ALLOTMENTS

www.loveessex.org -

www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Main contact number is 01992 564000

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EPPING TOWN COUNCIL

Adult social care and health Footpaths/pavements Libraries School/educa琀on Planning Registering birth Registering death Roads – Essex highways Transport – buses and trains Waste disposal and recycling centres

Many of you will have wanted to report things to your local Council but not sure what to report where and to who.

There are three tiers of local Council in our area and they all look after different things; please see left.

A list of Epping Town Council’s particular responsibilities is detailed here (left, bottom box).

Each Council is completely separate from the other and so would not be able to put you through to another Council on the telephone.

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www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Main contact number is 01992 579444

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Bene昀ts Business rates Business regula琀ons incl. public health Community culture and wellbeing Council tax Crime and safety Environment incl. highway rangers and grounds maintenance Housing - Street numbering Leisure and naming Licensing - Waste collec琀on Parking and street failure Planning Meadow Road and Lower Bury Lane allotments Bus shelters Bury Lane cemetery Christmas lights Community days Epping Hall and Jack Silley Pavilion Epping Monday Market and Epping Christmas Market Recrea琀on grounds; Frampton Road, Ivy Chimneys, Lower Swaines, Parklands and Stonards Hill Epping War Memorial Welcome signs and no琀ce boards

Both Epping Town Council allotment sites currently have a waiting list (Meadow Road and Lower Bury Lane). Please contact us if you would like to be added to the list. Allotment gardening can have many benefits. Not only can you grow your own fresh food, but there is also a great sense of community and many people benefit from some quiet time in the fresh air.

JULIE’S AT STONARDS Don’t forget there is a very dog-friendly café at Stonards Hill recreation ground serving hot and cold food, drinks, snacks and takeaways. A great place to stop when you are enjoying our lovely recreation ground. Open all year round, check seasonal times.

Essex County Council fostering: your opportunity to make a real change Supporting you to change a child’s life

Fostering

Your opportunity to make a real change There are children across Essex that need you to care for them.

Explore fostering options to suit you and your family.

Join our fostering community.

www.essex.gov.uk/foster

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Are you looking to make a difference? Over 500 children came into care last year and we need more foster carers to help vulnerable children feel safe and supported. Make a real change this year and offer a child a place to call home. Fostering is incredibly rewarding, offers great flexibility and puts family at its heart.

We carefully match children to your family, offer 24/7 support, training and carers receive on average £526.34 per week, per child, tax free. Join our fostering community today and together we can transform children’s lives.

0800 801 530 @essexadoptandfoster

Visit www.essex.gov.uk/foster or call 0800 801 530 to find out more.

Epping Town Council information TOWN COUNCILLORS

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

2023-2027 Members - Hemnall Ward

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

Cllr N Avey Cllr C Burgess Cllr C McCredie Cllr R Sharif Cllr Janet Whitehouse Cllr Jon Whitehouse

nigel.avey@btinternet.com christine_burgess@hotmail.com 07831 501598 razsharif@icloud.com 01992 560289 01992 561875 jon@jonwhitehouse.org.uk

Members - St John’s Ward Cllr L Burrows Cllr J Duffell Cllr H Pegrum Cllr G Scruton Cllr H Whitbread Cllr M Wright

01992 572003 07847 357493 johnduffell@live.co.uk 01992 572173 grscruton@gmail.com 07508 180426 holly.whitbread@btinternet.com 07926 516097

Cllr L Burrows, Cllr C McCredie, 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: 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.

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.

February 2024

13 Planning 13 COUNCIL 27 Planning 27 Corp Gov

7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm 8.00pm

March 2024

12 Planning 12 COUNCIL 26 Planning

7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm

April 2024

9 Planning 9 COUNCIL 23 Planning

7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm

May 2024

14 Planning 7.15pm 14 ANNUAL COUNCIL 8.00pm 28 Planning 7.15pm 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 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 15 April 2024 (Summer issue) and 22 July 2024 (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