The Mayor’s view Tree planting commemorates

this road race going through the town and there will be stalls and activities over the weekend.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this town as Mayor and Chairman of Epping Town Council for a second term and though we are still suffering the effects of Covid restrictions, we are starting to return to normal, which has meant it has been a very busy time for both myself and my wife Lorna.

Being a top green bowler myself, it was great fun opening Epping Bowling Club for the coming season on the 23rd April. £134,000 has now been raised by Epping Playground Association for the refurbishment of Lower Swaines playground and it is expected work will commence shortly. This will provide the town with a fantastic new playground. Thank you to all those involved for their monumental effort.

It was wonderful to be able to plant three oak trees at Stonards Hill recreation ground to commemorate The Queen’s Green Canopy for the Jubilee. Deputy Lieutenant of Essex Hugh Pegrum planted the first one, followed by myself as Town Mayor and then John Batchelor as a Freeman of Epping. RideLondon Essex will be going through Epping on the weekend of 28th and 29th May.

Epping can expect about 25,000 riders in

I enjoyed meeting residents at the Annual Town Meeting in April, where residents address their questions to the Town Council about matters relating to the Town and which the Town Council has some influence over.

It is always a great pleasure to recognise those who have made an outstanding contribution to the town at the Mayor’s Civic Reception, which is the first time we have been able to hold this for two years. There have been lots of other events including opening the refurbished wing of Ashlar House Care Home, an Epping/Eppingen supper evening and opening a pergola in the Market Garden terrace community garden, plus many more, which Lorna and I have greatly enjoyed.

A huge thanks to the Town Clerk Beverley Rumsey and her excellent team at the Town Council.

To my fellow councillors, thank you for making my job easy and such a pleasure and to my wife Lorna for not stabbing me too often when helping me put on the Mayor’s chain and for her support throughout.

I look forward to meeting many more of you at the Platinum Jubilee events in June. Do look out for details on the town noticeboards and the Town Council’s website.

Michael Wright

Epping Town Council has planted three oak trees on Stonards Hill recreation ground to mark the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to commemorate Her Royal Highness’s Platinum Jubilee. The trees were planted in separate locations around the recreation ground by Deputy Lieutenant of Essex Hugh Pegrum, Town Mayor councillor Michael Wright and Freeman of Epping John Batchelor. At each planting a speech was made.

“On behalf of the people of Epping, I plant this tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy to commemorate Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne. This tree will be marked on the commemorative map which will be sent to Buckingham Palace and a plaque will be placed to mark its planting. May this tree grow strong and healthy in her Majesty’s honour.”

Representatives from Ivy Chimneys Primary School helped plant the trees with the event also attended by local residents and representatives from the Rotary Club of Epping, St John’s Church, the Epping Society, along with Epping town councillors and Epping Forest District councillors.

Epping’s Monday Market is open every Monday in Epping High Street. Don’t forget to ‘Shop Local’ and support our Market and High Street. Epping Town Council are pleased to be erecting a special blue plaque to commemorate the market’s historic and current importance, the market having been granted by Royal Charter in 1253.