Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee: 1897

On 22nd June 1897, Epping joined the rest of the country in celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee following an Epping Urban District Council meeting on 5th March. A large committee of 48 people was set up to make the arrangements, split into five sub-committees. An appeal was made to the people of Epping for donations and over £250 was raised. When the day of celebration dawned, the High Street was a blaze of colour from end to end. Flags and streamers hung from every window, and red, white and blue bunting was stretched from tree to tree and post to post. The tree supports were decorated with paper flowers, paper chains and bunting, and Japanese lanterns were placed in the foliage. The water fountain, which had been erected ten years previously to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, was adorned with brightly-coloured paper flowers and pale green leaves. Every shopfront was decorated with either flags or bunting in red, white and blue, and many had coloured lamps and illuminated hanging lanterns. William Cottis & Sons shop was transformed into a miniature forest, enhanced at night by hundreds of coloured lights hung between the boughs and the leaves. The foundry office and Squiers (the Cottis family residence) displayed the letters “VR”, flanked with coloured stars. Other shop displays were put on by A B Davis, Joseph Hills, Messrs Pyne, Thurlow, Butcher, Blows, Williams, Joe Stace, George Hummerston, Blyth, Voss, Church, Trussell, Field, Newland, Prentice, Green, Co-Operative Stores, Cornwell & Son, Scruby, Bovingdon, Foster, Rowell, Flack, Barnard, Whitlow, Fuller, Roe, Teece, Nokes, Saward and Dearlove. A huge sign saying “God Save The Queen” was suspended between two masts above the railings in the Market Place. The decorations were in the charge of Mr G J Creed. The trees on the north side of the High Street were decorated by Mr F W Moore. Mrs P Savill made a donation of £1 for this. Those on the south side were decorated and paid for by Mrs Penrose. A large Union flag flew from the flagstaff on top of the Cock Hotel, and the Royal Standard was flown from the roof of Northlands, the home of Dr T Fowler. The Police Station was covered in flowers and coloured flags. All the public houses, from the Bell up to the Royal Oak on the Plain, were covered in decorations. Even the Union Workhouse (now St Margaret’s Hospital) joined in. The Epping Monthly Record reported that “the poor Jacks and Jills within the house were not forgotten”. At 7am men of the Epping Detachment of G Company, 1st Battalion of the Essex Regiment marched through the town to the green under the command of Lieutenant Windus. There the Royal Salute was given, with the Town Band playing the National Anthem. Three volleys were fired. Led by Major Trotter, the assembled company gave three rousing cheers to Her Majesty, and then marched back to the drill hall in St Johns Road. At 11am a special thanksgiving service took place in St John’s Church, conducted by Revd E Buckmaster. He was assisted by two other members of the clergy in Epping, Revd J Smith Spencer from the Wesleyan Chapel (now the Methodist Church) and Revd Chas Wright from the Congregational Church (now the United Reform Church). A collection taken at the service raised £6 12s 9d (£6.64) for the Essex Cottage Nursing Association. A contingent of cyclists riding decorated bikes paraded before judges outside the Cock Hotel. While this was taking place, children lined up on the green in front of the Wesleyan Chapel and were presented with a jubilee medal supplied by Epping Brewery manager Harry Yerburgh. The cyclists and the children then joined a procession through the town. Harry Yerburgh was the Chief Marshall, dressed in a scarlet tunic and a white helmet and riding a spirited horse. The parade was led by the Fire Brigade, with Engineer Whiting in command. They were followed by twenty members of the Town Band. The Fire Brigade led the parade past the top of Station Road on their way to The Plain, the parade passing through the High Street. Next came the Friendly Societies of Epping, of which there were many. They included members of the Loyal Temple of Peace, Court “Robin Hood” of the Ancient Order of Foresters, Friendly Brothers, Patriots and Hearts of Oak. A number of cars representing traders were entered into the procession, and prizes were awarded for the best of these. First prize went to Gazette proprietor Alfred Davis. His entry, named “Caxton Press”, had on it a printing press which turned out copies of the National Anthem as it went along. These were distributed to the crowds along the route. Second prize went to High Street Grocer Joseph Hills, and the third was shared equally between the Epping Brewery Company and builders James Whiffin & Sons. Others who took part included Hayden & Sons (coal merchant), J Nunn, F Whitlow, G Pegrum (dairymen), N S Lawrence, J Blows (bakers), T Williams (wine merchant), G Roe (horse dealer), W Cable & Sons (builders), R Sheridan (chimney sweep) and the Co-Operative Stores. The next event was a sports competition, which included an egg & spoon race, a needle & thread race, a three-legged and an obstacle race. There was also a “tub race” and a greasy pole. Following the sports competition around 800 children enjoyed tea provided by Revd Buckmaster, including buns, nuts and sweetmeats. At 10pm a huge bonfire (30ft tall) was lit on The Plain. The Town Band played the National Anthem beside it. The event at The Plain came to an end with a firework display. The final event was a torchlight procession along the High Street, just before midnight. Throughout the day the weather had been good. It later transpired that the people of Epping were very fortunate. The following day one of the worst storms in living memory struck the area, wreaking havoc with the Jubilee celebrations in North Weald and other local villages.

Lower Swaines playground refurbishment

Epping Town Council are delighted to announce that the playground at Lower Swaines recreation ground will be refurbished in the coming months.

Epping Playground Association are a registered charity, consisting of local residents, who have given up their time as trustees to fundraise tirelessly for the refurbishment of the playground over the last three years. Many of you may have attended HappyFest in 2021 (pictures left). The Association had raised a staggering £84,000 for the project, with the support of Epping Town Council who maintain the land and playground. This is now £134,000.

Epping Playground Association created a wish list back in 2019 and this was formalised into an exciting accessible and inclusive playground design, approved by Epping Town Council, who will manage and maintain the playground moving forwards.

The design includes something for all ages and abilities, from 0 to upper teens and has been informed by consultation with residents and children, to ensure what is delivered is what the community wants. The total cost of the project is £120,000, with approximately a further £14,000 needed for an accessible path/entrance to the new equipment.

Epping Playground Association had a shortfall which has been made up by Qualis Commercial (£50,000). Qualis Commercial are developing five sites in Epping Town, including the former school site at St John’s and this generous contribution has enabled the project to be delivered in full. Epping Playground Association will continue to work with Epping Town Council on delivering this exciting new community facility over the coming months.

The Playground Association have been supported by local residents, businesses, Epping Town Council, District and County Councillors and now Qualis. Qualis’ contribution has been made via a Section 106 agreement relating to their new developments and in this case, is designed to support the delivery of community facilities for residents and in particular, the enhancement of green spaces. Epping Town Council would like to thank Epping Playground Association for all their hard work in fundraising for this great facility. A big thank you also to all the local residents, businesses and councillors who have supported the charity’s aim. Qualis’ contribution has been vital to the final delivery of the project and will mean that nothing has to be omitted from the wish list. Epping Town Council look forward to working with Epping Playground Association on delivering the new facilities.

Time to get walking again

At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?

Walking in Essex: https://www.walkingin england.co.uk/essex has hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place. John Harris (the custodian of the website) said: “There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Essex (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you.”

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy. So home or away, check out the websites and get walking.

SUPPORT SURVIVALJOURNEY

FOR YOUR

NEW support group for survivors of domestic abuse, starting in April for those in Epping and surrounding areas

A safe space, offering you: Trauma-aware trained facilitators

Group peer support Signposting and referral services Mindfulness tools Refreshments

For more info email: thrivegroupepping@gmail.com

Epping Town Show, Sunday 3rd July 2022, 12 noon to 5pm. Stonards Hill recreation ground. Stalls, arena events, funfair, refreshments, Lots of fun for all the family.

The Epping Forest District is hosting the RideLondon Classique women’s tour Race on Saturday 28 May and the RideLondon-Essex 100 mass participation ride on Sunday 29 May. Epping Forest District Council are arranging a number of community activities over the RideLondon weekend. On the Saturday there will be community stalls from 9am-2pm, which will be set up on the green opposite the Civic offices. There will be various cycling demonstrations from local clubs and bike maintenance advice/practical demonstrations from local shops on the left-hand side of the Civic Offices. The Community, Culture and Wellbeing team at Epping Forest District Council will be encouraging interactive community pavement art at each end of the High Street.

Businesses are being encouraged to decorate their shop fronts in red, white and blue and with a cycling theme. With the mass ride on the Sunday we are encouraging local musicians to be part of the fan zones along the route. If anyone is interested in taking part or volunteering, it’s not too late. This is a fantastic opportunity for our district so please come along and have some fun. Please contact Wendy or Patrick: wcockbill@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or parnold@eppingforestdc.gov.uk for more information.

Epping Town Council and Epping Forest District Council are working closely together to ensure the residents of Epping are informed on what to expect on the weekend of RideLondon-Essex, as well as the planning and organisation of various entertainment, activities, merchandise and displays. Epping Town Council organised an exhibition at Epping Hall, presented by London Marathon Events to inform businesses and residents who may be affected by the road closures which will run through Epping High Street.

If you would like to ask London Marathon Events (the organisers of the actual RideLondon-Essex races) any questions, please email: helpdesk@londonmarathonevents.co.uk

Theydon Grove (Esso Island) tree planting

Epping Town Council have planted some trees on ‘Esso Island’ at Theydon Grove in Epping at the request of the neighbouring residents. The Town Council purchased the land formerly owned by the oil company (once it had all been made safe) in order to protect it from development. The trees were chosen by representatives of the Theydon Grove Residents Association and will be a welcome addition to the green site, complementing the existing trees. The new trees are an Amelanchier Robin Hill, a Pyrus cal Chanticleer and a Prunus Kanzan. Cllr Christine Burgess, Cllr Cherry McCredie, Christine Burt and Charlie Geddes assisted Town Supervisor Bill Towers and groundsman Martin Patience with the planting of the trees. We hope they will be a welcome addition for residents and the whole area, supporting Epping Town Council’s aims to protect and enhance the trees in our Town, Parish and ownership.

EPPING OPEN GARDENS AND CLASSIC CAR SHOW SATURDAY 28TH MAY, 10AM-5PM.

Epping Open Gardens are back again after cancelling our 2020 date due to Covid 19. The new date is now Saturday 28th May from 10am-5pm. We have 14 gardens plus the market garden alongside M&S and some allotments open. A few of the gardens will be providing refreshments. We will be supporting St Clare Hospice and providing funds for Historic Epping Ongar Railway to run a trip for people with memory loss. Programmes are available in advance at £5 per person by contacting Sue Axford on 01992 561588 or by email: susanaxford100@gmail.com. Parking will be available at Shaftesbury Farm, Lindsey Street, Epping, CM16 6RE, where programmes can also be purchased on the day at £6 per person. Alongside the gardens we will have our Classic Car Show, some will be at Shaftesbury Farm whilst others parked at some open gardens. We also have Sally Creedon and the Rock Choir of Harlow, Cheshunt and Epping singing in the field at the farm from 12 noon. There will be lots to do and see, so please come along and support us.