Young Townsperson of the Year 2021

Epping Town Council are delighted to announce that we have given two Young Townsperson of the Year Awards for 2021. Both received many nominations for their outstanding contribution to Epping life over the past year.

Julie Turrell runs Julie’s café at Stonards Hill recreation ground and Julie has taken great care to keep in contact with her customers while lockdowns have been in place. Julie has gone the extra mile to ensure those who may otherwise be limited in their activities have had a vital outlet for social contact.

George Sack, a pupil at Epping St John’s School, has been a huge support to young students during the last year, assisting them with online and lockdown learning.

Epping Town Councillors were so impressed with their work and commitment to others that they will be awarded at a ceremony and presented with their certificates by Epping’s Town Mayor, when restrictions allow.

Congratulations to these inspiring young people, whose contribution to their community is so much appreciated.

Please look out for anyone who may be worthy of this award next year.

Nominations will be taken in Spring 2022. Please contact Epping Town Council for more details.

Email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Epping Bowls Club

Epping Bowls Club celebrated the launch of the 2021 season on Saturday 17th April with special guests Grahame Scruton, Mayor of Epping, and his wife Libby. Together they declared the club’s 110th season open. After a glass of fizz, the ribbon was cut for the official opening and the Mayor fired bowls across the green to try his skills before members enjoyed their first roll up of the season. Club President Peter Bates and Club Captains Ron Perryman and Margaret Hopkinson welcomed members. A one-minute silence was also included in honour of the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Grahame Scruton said: “I am delighted to be invited to officially open Epping Bowls Club’s 2021 season. I know you are a long-established club and you have survived many challenges over the years, not least this pandemic. We truly hope this season runs more smoothly for you. Good luck.”

The Mayor reflected on spending much of his youth at Epping Cricket Club next door where his dad was a cricket nut and Club Secretary. He said, “I never knew what was over the fence and now I do!”

Epping Bowls Club was established in 1911 and is based at Lower Bury Lane, opposite Epping St John’s School’s back entrance. The Club is keen to recruit new members for this season.

Club President Peter Bates said: “We are delighted to welcome the Mayor and his wife to help us promote the joy of playing bowls to a wider audience. We will play under strict guidelines laid down by Bowls England to make sure everyone is protected.”

The Club defied all odds last season to ensure regular and safe play for all members. This season will see a return to friendly competition against other clubs. Free to attend ‘Come & Try’ days were held on Sunday 25th April and Sunday 9th May from 10.30-3.30pm. Anyone retired, semi-retired or younger, or working from home is welcome to try bowls. It’s a fun and friendly activity and good for health and well-being. Just bring flat soled trainer type shoes.

Visit www.eppingbowlsclub.co.uk

On the 9th of January 2020, we opened our doors to the Mayor of Epping to help celebrate the 100th birthday of Gladys. It was a celebration to look back on fondly, however no-one could have predicted at that time that a global pandemic was lurking around the corner that would change our lives so dramatically.

More than a year later and restrictions have lifted to the point that we can cautiously open our doors again and welcome loved ones back to visit. Today was the first visit for Gladys since the latest restrictions were introduced, outside of picture sharing, FaceTime and using the visiting suite, our residents haven’t had the normality of family visits. It was a truly heartfelt and emotional moment when family members filled the room with joy. The staff at Ashlar House looked on with pride and emotion at this momentous time.

We hope that many will now be reunited with their loved ones as restrictions ease.

How to keep Epping’s communities connected as lockdown eases

As we emerge out of lockdown restrictions and into spring/summer one thing has become really clear: there’s a thirst for community and connections in Epping.

Over the past year, we’ve been overwhelmed by the mutual support and inspiration of our Fit School community. Whether through our online classes, or just checking in on each other, we’ve been fortunate to be part of a community. Yes, it happens to be our business but it’s more than that. It’s about a shared sense of purpose, values and responsibility to each other. We might be Pilates teacher, personal trainer and running coach, but they’ve kept us going as much as we have them.*

There isn’t just one community in Epping. We connect people through fitness; others do it with yoga. There are new parents or parents-to-be, church and school communities, business communities, newcomers to the area, book lovers, dog walkers, nature enthusiasts, sports club members or the recently retired. The list is endless.

Isolation is a massive challenge to our society and it doesn’t just affect the elderly. As fantastic as communities are when we’re in them, what about those on the outside?

If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that connection and feeling like we belong to something, has kept us going. As humans we need connection. Isn’t that one of the reasons lockdown has been so tough? Aside from the obvious challenges that Covid has brought, each of us will have experienced separation, loss and isolation.

So if you have yet to find your community in Epping, please reach out. Believe us, there are people out there ready to welcome you in. And if you’re not quite ready for human interaction after months of isolation, you aren’t alone.

Keeping Epping’s communities connected starts with us and you.

*Thanks to Zoom our community now includes children, partners, dogs, cats, geckos, ducks, chickens and extended family too.

Karen and Chris Laing run Fit School in Epping.

We are trusted providers of fitness, running and Pilates classes in Epping, Essex.

We help our community achieve healthy habits for life and for the whole family. www.fit-school.co.uk Instagram @fitschoolessex