Talk About Epping Winter 2022

TALK ABOUT EPPING

The Mayor’s view

The Proclamation of the Accession

In this issue of Talk about Epping, I start by paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II for her amazing life of service and dedication. I was on holiday when the announcement was made that the Queen had passed away and I returned home to attend a Service of Reflection at St John’s Church. As Mayor, accompanied by Hugh Pegrum, deputy Lieutenant of Essex, it was my duty on behalf of the Town Council to read the Proclamation that Prince Charles was now King Charles III and to wish his Majesty long and happy years to reign over us. On behalf of the Town Council, I laid a floral tribute on the War Memorial in remembrance of the Queen.

I am delighted that the installation of Lower Swaines Playground is progressing well and the Playground Association is planning the grand opening for 5th November. This will be an opportunity to thank all the local businesses and associations who supported the fundraising activities by making donations and sponsoring equipment.

To celebrate 40 years of Twinning with Eppingen in Germany, I will enjoy welcoming Eppingen’s Burgomaster,

Councillors and many friends for the weekend of the 28th October. The Twinning Association has organised an entertaining and varied programme for our visitors including lunch in the Market Garden and a dinner at Epping Hall.

Epping Town Council were pleased to award Voluntary Action Epping Forest £400 towards hosting their Warm and Well winter sessions to support our residents and community.

Remembrance Sunday is fast approaching and our thanks go to the Royal British Legion and Revd Lee Batson for organising the programme of events. We will be remembering civilian casualties, those who lost their lives in HMS Sickle and Epping people lost in the two world wars. I will represent the Town at the Service of Remembrance by the Commonwealth War Graves in Epping Cemetery and the Remembrance Parade and wreath laying at the War Memorial followed by the service in St John’s Church. Preparations are now in place for celebrating Christmas, we can look forward to the trees being lit up as you enter Epping and a Christmas tree on the piazza sponsored by Epping Rotary. One of the highlights for the Town is our Christmas Market, which will be held on Saturday 3rd December.

I look forward to meeting many of you over the festive period. Look out for posters giving information.

Barbara Scruton

The Proclamation of the Accession

Whereas it is pleased Almighty God to call to His mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the second of Blessed and Glorious Memory by whose Decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the Prince, Charles Philip Arthur George we, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm, and members of the House of Commons, together with other members of her late majesty's Privy Council and representatives of the realms and territories, Alderman and citizens of London and others, do now hereby with one Voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of happy Memory, become our only Lawful and Rightful Liege Lord, Charles the third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all his other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection, beseeching God by whom

do reign, to bless His Majesty with Long and

us

The proclamation was given at St James’s Palace this tenth day of September in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-two

It was read at the Civic Offices of Epping Forest District Council on Sunday 11th September followed by the Town Council above, to reflect the respective tiers of local government.

Kings and Queens

Happy years to Reign over

Epping Town Councillors (left) with Freeman John Batchelor (far left) and Hugh Pegrum, Deputy Lieutenant (centre)

Epping Town Mayor Councillor Barbara Scruton read the Proclamation of the Accession on behalf of Epping Town Council outside Epping Hall on Sunday 11th September 2022, accompanied by Hugh Pegrum DL (Deputy Lieutenant of Essex) who read his own special words from the Lord Lieutenancy, as the Queen’s representative.

Epping Christmas Market:

Saturday 3rd December

The annual popular outdoor Epping Christmas Market is being planned to take place Saturday 3rd December from 10am to 4pm this year. There will be a wide selection of festive themed merchandise, so an ideal time to do some Christmas shopping. There will be carol singing by our local school children, local choirs, singers and musicians, a range of food and drinks and more. We have heard that Santa will be joining us in the grotto at Epping Fire Station and there will be an Elf dropping by on the High Street. Santa’s reindeers will also be making an appearance in the Market Garden terrace community garden beside Marks & Spencer. Also that weekend, there will be a wonderful array of Christmas trees in St John’s Church as part of their festival. Epping Town Council will again be lighting up the trees on the High Street in time for the festive season including the central 25ft Christmas tree on the ‘piazza’.

On the day, Epping’s Town Mayor will be presenting the Audrey Rose Cup to the winner of the business who has the most Christmassy shop front.

As the development of the multi-storey car park by Qualis continues this year, there will be very limited car parking in the town. Please consider leaving your car at home or using public transport if possible.

Townperson of the Year 2022

We are now seeking nominations for our Townsperson of the Year 2022. You can nominate anybody, as long as they live in Epping and they have made a real difference to the community life of the town. Nominations should be submitted before 31st January 2023.

For a nomination form, please call: 01992 579444 or e-mail: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

New travel agents opens in Epping High Street

A new travel agents has opened in Epping High Street; the fourth travel business to operate from the same premises in the last 30 years.

Epping Travel and Cruises was officially opened by Epping Town Mayor Councillor Barbara Scruton on 6th August at 81 High Street, next to Tesco on the corner of Crows Road.

Managing director Ian Gilder said: “We are the fourth travel agent in this shop, back in the 90s it was Co-op Travelcare which merged with Thomas Cook in 2007. This continued to trade until the sad demise of Thomas Cook in September 2019. Hays Travel then acquired the rights to the old Thomas Cook shop portfolio and opened the shop in January 2020, but this was short-lived as the store then closed down again in March 2020.”

Mr Gilder added: “I became aware of the shop in November 2020 as Hays Travel sent out a list of shops they were closing to their Hays Independence Group members, of which I am a member and who provides my ATOL bonding. I was already looking to open a shop in Epping as I believe my offering as a cruise specialist, Jet2Holidays Booking Centre and also my specialty in being able to tailor-make a holiday to a customer’s dreams would give me a competitive advantage over the competition. While we were fitting the shop we had many people popping their heads in and saying they cannot wait for us to open, so they could come in and see us. The reception we have received from the people in Epping has been overwhelming.”

For more details telephone: 0800 954 1536.

Coopersale Community 2022 update

Coopersale Community is a non-political volunteer group made up of people who live, work and/or worship in the village. We are committed to Coopersale being a safe, friendly and thriving place to live, work and be.

This group was born in the spring 2020 lockdown to unite individual efforts to bring joy to our neighbours. Since then, we’ve worked together to coordinate and deliver activities to make connections, create positive change and maintain a strong sense of community spirit in our village.

2022 has been a busy year for Coopersale. In the spring, we were awarded a Health & Wellbeing Community Grant from Epping Forest District Council to plant flowers in the piazza. We’ve had three seasonal planting schemes in this space, with the aim that they are annual. We held our second annual Community Day in August, raising over £1000 which will be invested back into the village this December through ‘Christmas in Coopersale’. In October we hosted our third annual Coopersale Scarecrow Festival, with the calibre of entries astounding villagers and visitors alike.

Everyone invested in Coopersale is welcome to join Coopersale Community. We recognise that this looks different for individuals based on interests, skills and availability. We are currently looking for two people to join the committee, but equally keen for people who wish to take part in one-off events.

Contact: coopersalecommunity@gmail.com

Website: www.coopersalecommunity.co.uk

Images include:

• Coopersale Piazza, Wildflower Summer Planting, June 2022

• Coopersale Community was awarded a plaque from Historic Royal Palaces for their participation in Superbloom at the Tower of London, September

2022 • Coopersale Community Day, Coopersale Cricket Field, August 2022

• Scarecrow Selection – Coopersale Scarecrow Festival, October 2022:

• Henry VIII, I am • Thank you, your Majesty, for everything

• Tribute to the Queen from the Brown Family

• Epping Forest Hippie • Room on a Broom

Epping Town Council planning meetings

Did you know that the Town Council has a Planning & General Purposes Committee which meets to discuss planning and licencing applications for the parish of Epping on a fortnightly basis?

Many residents don’t know that their Parish or Town Council is a consultee in the Planning system and don’t know that they can attend to speak at meetings to put their views across. Some residents who have attended our meetings, for example if they are directly affected by a particular development have photos or information that the Town Council wouldn’t have access to that can be considered. The Committee will take residents views on board when making their comments back to Epping Forest District Council who is the Planning authority for Epping.

If you live in the Epping parish and are concerned about a particular current planning application in your road, please get in contact with the Planning & Events Officer on: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or 01992 579444

Ashlar House and dementia awareness

Rita, Ashlar House’s Lifestyle Activities Coordinator attended the Epping Forest Dementia Fair on Saturday 1st October, accompanied by Creative Mojo.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness for people living with dementia and provide information to those interested. A number of our local partners and local community groups joined the event.

It was lovely to see familiar faces and to discuss interesting dementia-related topics. This was the first event of its kind in Epping and the Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance, working in partnership with the local church, are keen to hold more events like this again in the future.

Oovie Usher, a teacher from Coopersale and Theydon Garnon Primary School, also attended, showcasing and raising awareness for the intergenerational work they have done with Ashlar House and how all children in the school learn about dementia. Three Year 6 pupils, Presley, Remy and Elsie, also spoke about the impact it’s had on them and why they think children learning about dementia is so important.

Epping Rotary Club news

Epping Rotary Club is delighted to welcome four new members who will support the club in serving the local community, assisting other charities and supporting international projects.

Pudsey says thank you to Epping Rotary and friends

Epping Rotary Children in Need Ramble & Fun Dog Show was held for the second year running at Stonards Hill recreation ground on Sunday 25th September 2022 and proved to be a very successful day. Around 38 ramblers and their dogs walked the 5kms around Epping and Coopersale. In the afternoon the Dog Show was great fun with a variety of breeds showing off waggy tails, beautiful eyes and tricks to attract the judges. The sale of Pudsey merchandise was brisk with the most popular items being Pudsey ears and small Pudsey bears, Pudsey biscuits were kindly donated by Mayfield Farm Bakery. Tickets are still available at Julies Café for a large Pudsey Bear and a limited edition Pudsey dressed as Dr Who. The draw will take place on Saturday 12th November. Epping Rotary are very grateful to three primary schools and Brownies for their contribution by holding raffles for large Pudsey bears.

Rotary International are a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and has been working to eradicate Polio for more than 35 years. The Purple4Polio activities carried out by Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland are to raise funds and awareness for End Polio Now. Epping Rotary plants thousands of purple crocuses every year around the Town including Esso Island on Theydon Grove, The market Garden and St Margaret’s Hospital. Worldwide cases of Polio have decreased by 99% since 1988 but there is still work to be done.

The Rotary Club of Epping has booked Santa to visit Epping on Sunday 11th December and he will have some pre Christmas gifts for all children who visit him in his Grotto on Stonards Hill Recreation Ground. In addition he has agreed to travel on his sleigh around Epping, Theydon Bois and North Weald during the weeks beginning 5th December and 12th December.

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VOLUNTEERSWE NEED YOU!

Home-Start Essex

Volunteering at Home-Start Essex offers rewarding opportunities to support local families.

WHICH ROLE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Home-visiting volunteer

Telephone Befriender

Family Group volunteer

Fund-raising volunteer

TO FIND OUT MORE & JOIN US:

www.home-startessex.org.uk

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Home-Start Essex is looking for people living in the Epping District who can spare an hour a week to help deliver their services to families. Whether that is being matched to support a local family as a home-visitor or telephone befriender, or perhaps with skills to help with family or wellbeing groups. Laura Horsley-Whittle, Volunteer Coordinator at Home-Start Essex, explains ‘Volunteering is a wonderfully rewarding opportunity to give your time knowing it is making a big difference to a family in our community. It is such a simple concept but a really powerful one. Our volunteers are all ages, male and female, with many different backgrounds and experiences. Not all of them are parents.

“Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heartbreaking and over-whelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why we are here to stand alongside families when they need us most - and we need more amazing volunteers to help us do that.”

One mum described it as “life changing” when her volunteer came every week to hold her colicky tearful baby, enabling her to shower and sort out paperwork. A dad with a young daughter said: “Going out with my volunteer has made me feel more confident; it has improved my self-esteem. My volunteer was so good to talk to. I used to wake up in the morning and wait for that bad feeling to start. I don’t feel like that anymore.”

If you can spare as little as an hour a week, you could help families not just survive but thrive. As a Home-Start volunteer, you will be given training and support to make a real difference to families in your community. You will also develop transferable skills which can support you in your life, whether that’s at home or at work. To find out more about Home-Start Essex please visit: https://www.home-startessex.org.uk/volunteering or call 01245 847410.

Epping’s Royal Charter Market

Epping Monday Market in Epping High Street is open every Monday, including bank holidays, from 8am to 4pm (approximately), in all weathers. We have a wide variety of stalls offering everything from fruit and vegetables and groceries to ladies’ fashion and hardware. There are cards and gifts, so why not do some Christmas shopping? We have lots of great things to suit all tastes. Our traders get here very early to serve our community so please go along and visit them. They will be very happy to see you.

Epping Chorus: looking ahead

After a highly successful 50th Anniversary Concert in July, the Choir now turns its attention to the forthcoming year. The December concert on Friday 16th December will be a mixture of Christmas songs both old and new, to really get the Christmas season off to a great start.

On Saturday 21st January 2023 the Choir is preparing for an exciting concert, held in the presence of Nicholas Alston, the High Sheriff of Essex, when they will be singing ‘The Armed Man’ by Karl Jenkins, probably one of the best-known and popular choral pieces of the last 30 years. This will be performed with instrumental accompaniment and is sure to be a great evening.

Epping Chorus perform their concerts in St John’s Church, Epping, CM16 5DN and as always both concerts will be free to attend, with donations requested.

Interested in singing? If so, why not contact the choir via their website: www.eppingchorus.org They are always happy to welcome new singers, particularly sopranos. If you contact us quickly then you may be able to join us for The Armed Man.

St John’s Christmas Tree Festival

Epping Town Mayor Councillor Barbara Scruton will be opening this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at 1pm on Friday 2nd December.

There will be a fantastic display of over 70 beautifully decorated trees in the Church prepared by a range of schools, clubs, businesses, societies and local individuals.

There will also be craft stalls, tombola, lucky dip and refreshments along with entertainment from children’s groups and other community groups throughout the weekend.

So come along and enjoy the spirit of Christmas and see the dazzling display of decorated Christmas trees whilst enjoying a hot drink (including mulled wine) and homemade cake. What a truly wonderful way to start the Christmas season.

Opening Hours:

Friday 2nd 1pm to 8pm

Saturday 3rd 10am to 5pm

Sunday 4th 11.30am to 4pm

Monday 5th 10am to 2pm

Free entry for young people up to 16 years accompanied by an adult. Students (16+) £1 with student ID card. Adults £3

You can always be sure of a warm welcome at St John the Baptist Church, St Johns Road, Epping, CM16 5DN.

Please note that we will follow whatever the advice is at the time in regards to Covid 19.

The Epping Society: Epping’s green and pleasant land

Our earlier reports described problems with parking on verges and we invited members and the public to contact us with examples of problems. We suggested you take a photo of any vehicle you see driving or stopped on the grass (please do not get into a confrontation and do not snap the number plate) then email it to us at: info@eppingsociety.org.uk

We have made enquiries and learned that Civil Enforcement Officers, who patrol parking restrictions can issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to contravening vehicles. They are managed by North Essex Parking Partnership (“NEPP”) on behalf of councils.

The officers are only able to deal with vehicles that are parked on the grass verges if there is a restriction on the road alongside. Enforcement would be for the double yellow line, not for parking on the grass verge/footway. The Officers do not have power to deal with footway parking and this would fall under the remit of the police.

NEPP is aware of vehicles parking on the grass verge outside the Kebabery on the High Street. They are parked next to limited wait bays and alongside the zebra crossing markings. Unfortunately neither of these restrictions cover the grass verge/footway and the officers are unable to carry out any enforcement on these vehicles. We therefore have the unsatisfactory position that grass verges are damaged, footpaths obstructed, tree roots exposed to damage and dangerous parking at the zebra crossing are all uncontrolled.

The Music Den, Epping (at Hemnall Social Club)

A big thank you to everybody who has attended The Den to date. Over the last 3-4 months attendances have been gradually increasing with over 60 attending and enjoying live music at the most recent event, Captain Americana. Their first set comprised of basically acoustic with the beat being supplied by a cajon. The second set went back to more upbeat electric.

Unfortunately, Blue Touch had to cancel their scheduled event but were admirably replaced at very short notice by The Beatin’ Hearts who provided an extremely enjoyable and upbeat set. Thank you, guys. August saw the return to The Den of The Fran McGillivray Band who showcased some of their numbers from their very successful recent CD ‘Rain’. The schedule for 2023 is now virtually complete. The next scheduled events are:

Tuesday 22nd November (a Special): Chris Lord Blues Band

Tuesday 13th December: return of The Spikedrivers 2023

Tuesday 31st January: Martin McNeills Bottleneck Blues Band

Tuesday 14th February: Clean Sneak

Tuesday 22nd NOVEMBER 2022

Music from southern juke-joints to lazy front porches

Live In Epping!

We are always looking for high resolution portrait images to consider for the cover of Talk About Epping, which has a circulation of approximately 5500 across the Town and parish. Images should be Epping Parish related and be at least 6MB if possible. (Good quality mobile phone pictures are fine.)

Stonards Hill recreation ground tennis pass

Stonards Hill Recreation Ground boasts two fantastic floodlit community tennis courts. Starting from September 1st there will be a new tennis pass scheme introduced to provide added benefits to accessing the courts.

The new Stonards Hill Tennis Pass is simple and provides great value for money to enjoy tennis in Epping. By joining as a ‘Tennis Pass’ member you can expect 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 and play all year round? All tennis pass members will have floodlights included in your booking at no extra costs (non tennis pass members pay £1.50 per 30 minutes)

• Whenever you want! 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 Tennis pass costs £30 for 12 months and is a great benefit to use the tennis courts all year round.

To sign up from the 1st September simply visit:

www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/StonardsHillTennisCourts/ Membership/Join

In addition to the Tennis Pass there is also a wide range of coaching provided at the courts by David Watson Tennis Coaching. Further information, including details of a weekly free tennis session, can be found by visiting:

www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/StonardsHillTennisCourts/ Coaching

Epping Town Council are working with the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) to develop a sustainable community tennis facility to ensure residents can enjoy these fantastic facilities for years to come.

Chris Lord & her Blues Express Live In Epping!

Hemnall Social Club 50 Hemnall

Tuesday 13TH DECEMBER 2022

St Clare Hospice news and information

GriefLine

GriefLine (01279 945089) is a local resource offering much-needed emotional support via telephone, across West Essex and East Herts, to anyone struggling with their grief around the loss of someone. It is free to call, though charges may apply in line with your standard network rate. GriefLine operates from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. It is run by a team of St Clare staff and volunteers, trained to deliver emotional support to those who are struggling with their grief. Anyone who has experienced a loss, whether recently or in the past, is welcome to call GriefLine. No previous connection to St Clare Hospice is required to access support. For more information on GriefLine, visit: griefline.co.uk

Living Well programme

Living Well programme – supporting you to live well with a life-limiting condition Hospice care is more than you think. It’s about supporting you to live well with a life-limiting condition, so you can make every day count. If you, or someone you know, has a life-limiting condition, our Living Well programme could make such a difference. It can help with:

• Fatigue & anxiety management • Coping with change

• Preparing for your next consultation

• Navigating services

• Planning for your future

If you would like to be considered for a space on the Living Well programme, you can call First Contact on 01279 773774 or email: info@stclarehospice.org.uk

Find out more here: stclarehospice.org.uk/living-well

Namaste Dementia programme

St Clare Hospice has launched a new, free service to support people living with advanced dementia, and their carers, across West Essex and East Herts.

Namaste Dementia Care delivers personalised, one-to-one, Namaste Care activities to people living with dementia in their own homes and in residential homes, offering a person-centred approach with trained volunteers supporting people with advanced dementia to engage in meaningful activities to promote an improved quality of life.

Namaste Dementia Care volunteers visit weekly, for a period of up to 10 weeks and offer a tailored package of sessions to suit the individual. Activities used are designed to stimulate all five senses, which has been shown to really help people with dementia to connect and engage with others. Namaste Care activities can include hand massage, music, memory boxes, poetry and gentle movement.

To access this service please contact Joanne on 07534 031702 or email:namastecare@stclarehospice.org.uk

Find out more online: stclarehospice.org.uk/namaste

More volunteers are needed to support these new and expanding services. Find out more and apply for this role that makes a real difference, at stclarehospice.org.uk/volunteervacancies

Litter picking at Swaines Green

Some local home educating families met to litter pick at Swaines Green. They were pleasantly surprised not to find as much rubbish as they anticipated but still managed to collect four bags which they sorted as best they could for recycling. Epping Library kindly supplied the litter pickers. The families plan to to do it again in the autumn.

Thank you to David Jackman, Everything Epping Forest for his pictures and media support.

Ashlar House art exhibition

At Ashlar House’s art exhibition, the guests were offered a glass of bubbly on arrival and all took great interest in the artwork on display. There was lots of chat, laughter and smiling faces as they wandered around. Great interest was shown in how our Creative Mojo Ltd workshops worked and the residents we worked with. Some guests liked the artwork so much they wanted to purchase some of the pieces.

Epping Town Mayor, Councillor Barbara Scruton enjoyed the exhibition, while Amelia, the Lifestyle Leader’s daughter also introduced everyone to a great art app she has been using which plays back how the art piece was made from start to finish.

Mayor opens community boxing club

A community boxing club aiming at providing facilities for teenagers has been officially opened.

Epping Community Junior Boxing Club, based at Essex Fight Academy at Forest Lodge, Epping High Road (near the Wake Arms roundabout), is run by local boxing promoter Alan Mortlock and supported by local councils, churches and other organisations.

The fully equipped boxing and fitness gym, which provides heavily subsidised training events for 13 to 18-year-olds from the Epping and Loughton area, is aimed at giving the youth a safe environment off the street. The Club was officially opened by Epping Town Mayor councillor Barbara Scruton at a ribbon cutting ceremony which was also attended by Waltham Abbey Deputy Town Mayor councillor Shane Yerrell.

Councillor Scruton said: “I particularly welcome this facility because back in 2019 the Town Council initiated the antisocial behaviour and Youth Strategy Panel, now the Safer Epping Group and it was felt at the time that a boxing facility would help young people deal with behavioural issues such as antisocial behaviour and drug abuse, but at the time we were unable to fund a suitable venue.”

She added: “The Town Council welcomes such a positive initiative in the area which, although the area seems prosperous, still has many problems and an underlying and growing problem with drugs, grooming and gang violence. We support this and other such initiatives that are a community response to rising problems of grooming, gangs and county lines.” The Town Council were delighted to be able to contribute to the discussions regarding a suitable venue.

Councillor Scruton thanked Mr Mortlock, his team, the local churches and other organisations “for coming together to help address a crucial challenge that’s affecting young people in society”.

Mr Mortlock said: “The Boxing Academy will help with discipline, confidence and urban awareness. We promote an anti-gang and knife crime message and have worked since 2016 with organisations including ‘Gangs Unite’ and ‘Box Up Crime’.

An exhibition event is planned for 26 November when there will be a full-sized boxing ring in St John’s Church, Epping.

Stonards skate park refurbishment

Epping Town Council have approved the refurbishment of the skate park at Stonards Hill recreation ground, subject to successful funding. Users of the skate park are assisting Council with the proposed design of the new skate park and they have created a petition for change so people can show their support. https://www.change.org/p/epping-forest-council-to-expandout-local-skatepark

The skate park is used by skaters as well as younger children on bikes and scooters. It has been in situ since 2007 and would benefit from improvements. Please email any comments to: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk The plans/proposals will be published once they have been designed and the project progresses.

Local information

Epping Town Council are delighted to announce that the new playground at Lower Swaines recreation ground is about to be completed. The Town Council have been working with the fantastic Epping Playground Association for the last three years on securing the funding and correct design for this playground. We couldn’t be more delighted for the trustees (and our community) that all their hard work has paid off. Thank you to everyone who has supported them and the project. There should be something of interest from babies to teenagers and a picnic area for family and friends to enjoy. There will be more information in the next issue following the grand opening. A great community project.

The Epping Jaundice

While the Epping Society is not a history organisation, we do get enquiries about past times and try to give helpful replies, often directing people to other sources. Recently we were reminded about The Epping Jaundice and thought that readers might find it interesting. Starting in February 1965, 84 people, largely Epping residents, became ill with fevers, stomach pains, swollen livers and the yellow skin colour of jaundice. Over 50 were severely ill. There was one victim in Harrow, but her husband worked here. The usual medical tests did not at first give any useful results. GPs had been quick to report instances and it soon became clear that this was not just random cases, but a significant local outbreak. Curiously nearly all the victims were middle class professionals, an early clue.

A team of doctors and research staff led by Dr Harry Kopelman, based at St Margaret’s Hospital, got to work; some inspired questioning and a little guesswork linked the victims to a specific type of coarse wholemeal bread, baked in Pearce’s, then a well-known high street baker (now the site of Pizza Express) who were immediately ordered to stop baking. Samples of this bread were soon tested and found to contain traces of a hardener for epoxy resin, but not from the bin of flour in the shop. It was eventually deduced that the contamination had been from a spillage in a delivery lorry; the tainted flour had been at the bottom of the sack, which when tipped out became the top of the bin, all of which had been baked.

All the sufferers survived, with no long-term consequences. The Epping Jaundice has been described as a world-first study in community epidemiology; it is still referred to in medical textbooks and training. Several publications and books have mentioned it and there has been a BBC radio play on the subject. An internet search throws up many pages of related material. We are working with the Town Council on a history plaque/board on the subject.

Epping Town Council information

COUNCILLORS

2019-2023

Members - Hemnall Ward

Cllr N Avey nigel.avey@btinternet.com

Cllr C Burgess christine_burgess@hotmail.com

Cllr C McCredie 07831 501598

Cllr B Scruton 01992 572333

Cllr M-L Whitbread mlwhitbread1@gmail.com

Cllr J Whitehouse 01992 561875 jon@jonwhitehouse.org.uk

Members - St John’s Ward

Cllr S Baker 07948 767959 Simonbaker348@btinternet.com

Cllr J Duffell 07847 357493 johnduffell@live.co.uk

Cllr R Griffiths 07917 841823 griffiths74@gmail.com

Cllr H Pegrum 01992 572173

Cllr G Scruton grscruton@gmail.com

Cllr M Wright 07926 516097

Cllr N Avey, Cllr C McCredie and Cllr Jon Whitehouse are also District Councillors. Other Local Representatives

EFDC & ECC Cllr Chris Whitbread (01992 573557) Cllr.Christopher.Whitbread@essex.gov.uk

EFDC Cllr Les Burrows (01992 572003) cllr.lburrows@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

EFDC & ECC Cllr Holly Whitbread (07508 180426) holly.whitbread@btinternet.com

EFDC Cllr Janet Whitehouse (01992 812503) cllrjanetwhitehouse@gmail.com

MP: Dame Eleanor Laing MP (020 8508 6608) eleanor.laing.mp@parliament.uk

invitations for the m ayor

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.

talk about epping deadlines

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

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

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.

Articles for the next edition of Talk About Epping must be submitted before 9 January 2023 (Spring issue) and 17 April 2023 (Summer 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

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