1st Theydon Garnon Scouts hoping to make Epping a cleaner town

The Scouts are working towards their Environmental Conservation badge and have been learning about the dangers to wildlife and nature that litter imposes. They have been dismayed at the amount of litter they have seen discarded on Epping’s streets and surrounding countryside whilst on their daily walks during lockdown. To try and help clear up Epping they decided to spend an evening litter picking in fields and on Bell Common and collected a lot of rubbish. They also decided to have a competition to design an anti-litter poster; Councillor Cherry McCredie kindly judged them. After choosing the winning poster, Councillor McCredie said: “This was so hard to judge as there were so many fantastic entries. Congratulations to all the scouts who took part and to the winner”.

The winning poster was designed by Arthur Edwards.

Please help to keep our community clean by disposing of your litter responsibly and recycling where possible. The Town’s street cleaners do an excellent job, but they do need everyone’s help as litter spreads at an alarming rate.

In spite of Covid-19, at the AGM of Epping Rotary Club, President Barbara Scruton was able to report that the club has had a successful year and continued to support many good causes both locally, nationally and internationally. She said this was as a result of innovative fundraising ideas and personal challenges and the generosity of members and the public who supported them. This included a virtual Cabaret evening and Christmas party enjoyed by club members and their families.

In June last year, there was a devastating fire in a block of flats; Woodland Grove, Epping and the club donated funds for vouchers for families that lost belongings.

At times, it has been difficult to keep up with the changing rules around the pandemic and in the middle of the Santa Sleigh collection, Epping was put into Tier 4 which prevented Santa from completing all his planned routes. Unfortunately, Carols on the Green was a casualty to the great disappointment of local residents. The Club did, however, support the Town’s Christmas celebrations by sponsoring the Christmas tree on the piazza. Another casualty was the ‘Kids Out project’. However, the club made a contribution towards boxes of toys, each worth £85, to be distributed at Christmas to children living in London homeless refuges.

Epping Rotary Club continues to support St Clare Hospice. Funding was provided for additional ward curtains to help with the need for rotation of curtains during Covid. A cheque for £1000 was presented to the Hospice to support their Hospice at Home appeal and all being well, the annual golf day will take place in September.

The Rotary Club of Epping has been supporting Norway House in small ways for several years with outings for the children to the seaside, small donations, a Christmas visit from Santa, a refurbished computer and printer; all things that the residents really appreciate. This Easter, Epping Rotary donated Easter eggs for all the children living there. The Club has agreed to sponsor a piece of equipment for the new playground at Lower Swaines recreation ground, which will be a great community asset for the area.

Following a very interesting talk from Reverend Lee Baston on his work in Africa, the Club was pleased to make a donation to The Five Talents Micro-Finance Scheme operating in Kenya.

The President reported that it had been an honour, but with sadness, that she had represented Epping Rotary at the memorial service for His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in St John’s Church. HRH was an honorary member of several Rotary clubs and respected what Rotary does and what Rotary achieves. He will be remembered for a great life of service.

Members are now looking forward to June when they can have weekly lunchtime meetings in Epping Hall. If you are interested in finding out more about Epping Rotary, email: eppingrotary@outlook.com

All events are subject to any changing government guidance. Information correct at the time of printing.