TALK ABOUT EPPING TOWN MAGAZINE WINTER 2023
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The Mayor’s view getting to know their neighbours. I sincerely hope there’ll be a similar event next year. Many of you know that Revd Canon Lee Batson from St John’s Church is now Dean of Newcastle and I attended a farewell service to say goodbye Welcome to Talk About to him. Epping magazine. Friends from Eppingen Climate change has came from Germany to certainly affected our stay for a week and I weather over summer was pleased to host a and early autumn. welcome lunch when Like many of us, the they arrived. Town Council has been Highlights of the working to reduce autumn for me carbon emissions. included meeting One way is to make young mothers and Talk About Epping their babies at a available online. For postnatal Pilates class. people who don’t have What better way to get the internet, paper fit and interact with copies are available at other new mums than the Town Council this. A perfect example offices at Epping Hall. of community support. As Mayor, it’s been an Another highlight was extremely busy six attending the Essex months. Army Cadets Force This year, the Black Awards at Chelmsford Lion pub won the with the Deputy Mayor Rosebowl in the Cllr Cherry McCredie. competition for floral We had an enjoyable displays in business and informative day. premises and I was These young people delighted to present were very deserving of the trophy and their awards and we certificate to the pub. felt proud that some I also enjoyed the day of them were from our at Epping Horticultural Epping detachment. Society's annual show They will form part of as both Chairman and the Remembrance Day Town Mayor. service in Epping. In September, the I would like to Town Council congratulate Epping in supported the first Bloom on being invited Community Picnic at to discuss their Meadow Road volunteering work at allotments. Homemade Hampton Court Flower savouries and cakes Show and to thank were the order of the Epping Playground day which made a very Association for enjoyable Sunday providing afternoon. communication boards The following Sunday for our playgrounds, saw the ‘play street’ at which you can read Allnutts when the road about later. was closed to traffic Finally, I’m looking for a few hours whilst forward to the we went back in time Christmas Market on to enjoy the basics 2nd December and I simply playing in the am hoping to meet street. The atmosphere many of you there. was amazing as parents enjoyed chatting and
Christine Burgess
Epping Jumble Trail On the 17th September 2023, Friends of Ivy Chimneys School hosted the first ever Epping Jumble Trail. Between the hours of 11am and 4pm, 44 stalls dotted around Epping sold a myriad of different items to the public. In Allnutts Road alone we had eight stalls selling toys, books, records, plants, children’s clothes, bric a brac and in a marquee in the back garden of one stallholder’s house we sold tea and cakes and very popular ploughman’s lunches. The event took weeks of preparation, advertising the event, signing up stallholders, preparing stalls, pricing items and reminding people about the event on social media. On the day Cllr Cherry McCredie opened the event on Allnutts Road at 11am in her role as Deputy Mayor. Feedback from stallholders was very positive. Some raised a lot of money and we were able to raise £850 for Ivy Chimneys Primary School for them to put towards projects such as the multi-use games area or MUGA. The money raised was from every stallholder paying £10 to have a stall and from the sale of ploughman’s lunches, cream teas and other delights in Allnutts Road. We also had a very kind donation of £53 from an Allnutts Road resident. Although there is some fine tuning to be done, it was a very successful event with members of
the community saying: “Thanks for the opportunity to have fun; I really enjoyed myself. It was a real sense of community and I met some lovely people. I would definitely do it again, it’s much easier than a car boot sale, especially for those of us with children. This could definitely become a yearly Epping event with more residents taking part and people descending on the town to do the Trail. Great for the town, businesses, and people of Epping, who will be able to clear out, make some money and meet new neighbours. I met some lovely people who I’d never seen before and were neighbours. All in all, a great success!” For the date of next year’s jumble trail…watch this space.
Do you have a community story like this one? Please share it with us at: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk marked: Talk About Epping
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Epping in Bloom news: we’ve been busy! The Epping in Bloom Scarecrow Festival was enjoyed by so many visitors who came along to admire the scarecrows outside people’s homes, in the community garden and outside businesses. The weekend raised £152 and will be spent on plants for St Margaret’s Hospital. Congratulations to our 2023 winners; Hammond & Smith. Our runners up were All Saint’s Church, Epping Upland. Thank you to everyone who took part and thank you to everyone who came along. We are looking forward to hosting it again next year. We hosted a special morning to mark eight years of volunteering with a variety of sparkling botanical fruit juices and lovely cakes. Epping in Bloom also hosted a surprise wedding breakfast in the garden for our two newly wedded volunteers Mimi & Andrew in June. Congratulations!
Cultivating community spirit: volunteers flourish as they are recognised for their hard work by the RHS On Hampton Court Flower Show’s press day, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) chose Victoria Robertson and Mimika Blake to talk about their volunteering journey on a stage before a crowd of eager faces ready to hear about the growing journey so far at the renowned Hampton Court Flower Show, to share their experiences and enthusiasm for volunteering. Victoria said: “As I looked out at the sea of curious eyes, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in the work we had all accomplished together in past eight years of looking after our community garden (beside M&S, Epping). The invitation to speak about our efforts was a testament to the power of collaboration and the profound impact our Epping in Bloom group of 21 dedicated volunteers can have on their surroundings. The community garden had been a labour of love, born from a shared desire to transform an abandoned plot of land into a vibrant and thriving green space. From its humble beginnings, it had blossomed into an oasis of flora, buzzing with life and brimming with fresh produce. The journey was made possible through the tireless efforts of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves and embraced the earth beneath their fingertips and the support from Epping Town Council, local businesses and societies. Our garden became a sanctuary where individuals from all walks of life come together, bridging generational and cultural gaps through their shared love for nurturing the earth. Mimi enjoyed talking about her artwork and how she became a volunteer a few years ago. The annual scarecrow festival was a testament to the thriving community spirit that had taken root in our garden. It had become a highly anticipated event, eagerly marked on everyone’s calendars. As the festival date approached, a wave of creativity washed over the community, inspiring families, schools, and local businesses to craft whimsical and imaginative scarecrows. The festival was a celebration of unity and artistic expression. Visitors marvelled at the diverse array of scarecrows that stood tall, each one telling its own unique story. Laughter echoed through the garden as children played amidst the colourful characters, while adults strolled through the rows, savouring the sense of community that filled the air. Beyond the joy and amusement, the scarecrow festival also served as an opportunity to raise awareness about the community garden and recruit new volunteers. As curious visitors meandered through the garden, they witnessed firsthand the beauty and vitality that bloomed from the collective efforts of our volunteers. Many were inspired to lend a hand, recognising the profound impact they could make by contributing their time, energy, and expertise. Looking back at our journey, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the incredible individuals who had joined us along the way. Their dedication, passion, and willingness to invest in our community garden had transformed it into a thriving hub of sustainable growth and camaraderie. As I concluded my speech at Hampton Court, I encouraged everyone in attendance to seek out opportunities for volunteering in their own communities. I emphasised the transformative power of collective action, reminding them that by working together, we could cultivate a better future for ourselves and generations to come. In that moment, I realised that the true beauty of our community garden went beyond the blossoming flowers. It lay in the indomitable spirit of the volunteers who had nurtured it into existence — testimony to the extraordinary things we can achieve when we come together, united by a common purpose in friendship that is also fun and gives us all a life purpose. If you would like to become a volunteer email: Eppinginbloom@gmail.com
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Play Street, Epping Play Street days have arrived in Epping. Play streets (or ‘playing out’ sessions) are neighbour-led short road closures, creating a safe space for children to play freely together on their doorstep. Communities across the UK have been running ‘play street’ days for a few years now and the residents of Allnutts Road were delighted to get approval from Epping Forest District Council to be the first in our area to hold one of our own. The wonderful owners of Allnutts Stores, Nina and Shabash (who found themselves right in the middle of it all) were the first to agree and helped organise the day. Most residents moved their cars and road closed signs went up. Games were set up in the road: Snakes and Ladders, Jenga and Connect 4. Children brought out their bikes, scooters, skate boards and toy cars. The street soon filled, chairs were set out and the children were left to play on the street safe from traffic for a few hours. Sweets and cakes were passed around, brews made. The weather was kind, a spontaneous water fight was the highlight of the day. There was a lovely community feel giving people a chance to talk to their neighbours. Epping Town Mayor Cllr Christine Burgess also joined us. It was a great day, a great community event. Everyone is looking forward to the next one, even the residents without children.
The Music Den, Epping The Den is going from strength to strength thanks to its ever-increasing appreciative following. Thank you all for your support of live music in Epping. July’s event saw the first appearance of Doc K’s Blues Band, hailing from the north London Delta. This was followed by an extra event in July featuring the unusual pairing of Stompin’ Dave, a multi-instrumentalist musician from Devon, and Earl Jackson supplying great and varied entertainment throughout the whole evening. After the summer break in August there was once again an additional event at the end of August which featured a newly formed group of veteran musicians from the sixties. The Ugly Guys playing country americana music and promoting their brand-new CD, Cover Your Tracks. September’s usual date saw The John Doe Trio playing some more authentic blues and then as an additional event in September, the audience were treated to The Robin Bibi Band, once again a great entertaining evening. Events for the rest of 2023 are: Tuesday 14th November: Jamie Williams and Roots Collective Tuesday 21st November: Kara Grainger – on tour from Nashville (Tickets £15.00/£12.50 members). Tuesday 28th November: The Fat Penguins Tuesday 12th December: Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion Further information and details can be found on Facebook, Lemonrock and the website of Hemnall Social Club. Tickets available from Hemnall Social Club (during open hours), wegottickets.com or by emailing: dennistimbers@msn.com
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St John’s Choir: the value of singing Singing in choirs has become more and more popular and is now considered to be good for our mental health, as well as an opportunity to meet new people and sing some wonderful music. Many of us will have seen, and been moved by, the choral music sung at both the funeral of our late Queen and the coronation of King Charles III. Or perhaps the 13 year old singing Pie Jesu on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year. Many famous people started life as choristers including cricketers Sir Alastair Cook and Ebony Rainford-Brent together with Alexander Armstrong (presenter of Pointless). Opportunities exist too with some universities offering choral scholarships. At St John’s Church, we try to maintain something of this choral tradition and would welcome new members in our choir, both children (from the age of 7 upwards) and adults (preferably with some experience of reading music). If you would like to find out more, or perhaps just come and see what we do, please contact the Director of Music, Simon Winters, via: teamadmin@eppinganglicans.org.uk More information about the choir is also available on our website: eppinganglicans.org.uk If singing isn’t for you but you enjoy listening (perhaps you enjoy the weekly choral evensong on BBC Radio 3), please do come to choral evensong at St John’s which generally takes place on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6pm. Whatever your religious leanings (or none), evensong is an opportunity to spend a peaceful 45 minutes at the end of the weekend whilst listening to some beautiful music. Why not give it a go?
Making Epping playgrounds more inclusive: playground communication boards At Epping Playground Association (EPA), we believe that play builds happy, healthy children. We know that playing outdoors, especially in green space, improves the cognitive, physical, social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. We want every family in Epping to have access to good quality playgrounds that are modern, challenging, safe and inclusive. An inclusive playground considers not only physical access, but also emotional, social and psychological benefits of play. It encompasses the philosophy that children and adults of all abilities benefit from being able to play and interact together. To make our playgrounds more inclusive, Epping Playground Association have provided communication boards for each of Epping Town Council’s five playgrounds. Communication Boards support any person (young or old) who at any stage may have difficulty being able to communicate or understand. This may be those with Down Syndrome, our autistic community, those with English as an additional language, children with speech sound disorders such as verbal dyspraxia, those with receptive/expressive language difficulties such as developmental language disorder, those with anxiety around speaking, situational mutism and more. Playgrounds are places where children learn important social skills like cooperation, empathy and teamwork. Communication boards facilitate communication and encourage children to engage in conversations, negotiations and problem-solving, fostering social development and helping them make friends. In the coming weeks, you will see these communication boards popping up in our playgrounds. To help us understand how best to use them, EPA chairperson Siobhán Garrett, asked local speech and language therapist, Sara Weeks from Eat.Play.Speech, for her advice. “These communication boards can not only be used by those who need support expressing themselves but also by those who need help understanding language. The symbols on the board will help facilitate the understanding of spoken language for those with this difficulty, as well as help little ones in their language development. When using these boards, it is best to use spoken language in conjunction with the communication board when modelling its use.” Epping Playground Association would like to thank the Irish charity, Finding Charlie’s Voice, for giving us permission to use the artwork for these boards. Finding Charlie’s Voice is a charity that supports children and young adults with speech and language communication needs. The charity was inspired by Charlie, now aged 9, who was born with Verbal Dyspraxia. It was founded by his mum, Evelyn, who is on a mission to create more awareness of and better support for speech language and communication needs. See www.findingcharliesvoice.ie for information or to donate.
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Safer Epping: From Cllr Cherry McCredie Safer Epping is an informal group that meets quarterly in Epping, where local safety issues can be raised, advice and support given. We have police in attendance to answer questions and also Town and District councillors. There is a Facebook page and a WhatsApp group which are open to all. Please join. There are regular reports from Speedwatch, Neighbourhood Watch, the Youth Council and more. Everyone is welcome to attend, but if you wish to raise an item it is helpful to advise me in advance, although not essential. Our next meeting is Monday 20th November 2023 at 6pm. Please note the change of venue for this meeting: Link-WorkSpace, 116 High St, Epping, CM16 4AF. (Opposite the former Methodist Church). Please contact me with any queries or concerns you may wish to raise. Cllr Cherry McCredie: mccrediecherry@gmail.co.uk
Epping Society: The footpaths of Epping Do you enjoy walking your dog around the beautiful countryside surrounding Epping? Do you keep your steps up by walks for pleasure? Do you like a stroll and a chat with a friend – all of which are good for body and mind? Chances are you are availing yourself of the many ancient footpaths which run for access and convenience around our market town. But these routes are vulnerable to loss and oblivion if not used and maintained. To this end, I have been walking them and documenting the condition on behalf of the Epping Society, over recent months. The official title of such paths is Public Rights of Way and it is the responsibility of Essex County Council Highway Authority to ensure that the general public has access to them. Footpaths are indicated by a post with a yellow arrow and the distinctive Essex logo of three seaxes and should be clear of vegetation to the extent of 1 metre wide at least across a field and 1.5 metres wide where it passes around the edge of a field. It is the duty of the landowner to keep a path clear in a field of crops. Bulls of certain breeds of cattle, for example British Fresian or Jersey, are not permitted in fields with footpaths. Docile bull breeds are permitted with their herd of cows but be aware of cattle especially when there are calves at foot and you are with a dog. Horses are permitted to roam free providing they are not aggressive. It is vitally important that footpaths are maintained and that the general public are vigilant. Footpaths – if they are not walked regularly – are vulnerable not only to neglect but also to ad hoc blocking and redirection by landowners. Essex County Council publishes a very helpful interactive map on their website which not only indicates the routes and the numbers of footpaths around Epping but enables a walker to log any problems. The Council is then obliged to inspect the path and has 56 days to do so. A tracking number is provided. I have found the paths walked so far to be in a variable condition. Footpath 18, the link between Epping Stonards Hill and Coopersale, running alongside the back of St Margaret’s Hospital, is a veritable motorway of pedestrians, extensively used on a daily basis by residents both as a shortcut into Epping and Coopersale and also to access the paths on the buffer land by Kingswood Park and Theydon Garnon woods. These paths tend to be easy walking, although sprawling overgrowth has been reported this year. Equally, the very well used Epping 4, the ancient bridleway running from Lindsey Street farm, behind the infant and junior schools and then into the ex-council estate and Lower Swaines, is wide and clear. Bell Common is reasonably good, although very muddy in places. Requests for a duckboard arrangement at key points, as in Garnon Bushes, have been made over the years but have been unsuccessful. Much more problematic are some of the Epping South routes. These paths were clearly used to access Theydon Bois and Theydon Garnon in the past. A case in point is the totally overgrown and indeed impassable at times, Epping 31, which runs from the bottom of Flux’s Lane, alongside Coopersale School and up to the M11, where it becomes 28. This is completely neglected and overgrown in places with huge brambles. Walkers are forced onto alternate land and the busy Flux’s Lane when they could much more safely use the path and avoid motor traffic. The tunnel under the M11 is in place for agricultural machinery and walkers and allows access to Theydon Bois 4. There was a lot of standing water at one end. Epping South is due to have extensive residential building. Developers should honour existing footpaths and design around them, although they can apply for planning permission to divert or declare them redundant. It is absolutely vital that paths are walked and logged if they are not to be lost to future generations. So walk and if necessary, photograph and record any issues for Essex County Council and help preserve our web of footpaths and the joy of our precious countryside of Epping.
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A warm welcome for the Mayor from VAEF Ace Upcycling, part of (VAEF) Voluntary Action Epping Forest’s Ace Activities for over 18s with learning disabilities, work on tired furniture and recycled timber to make new products such as bird boxes, bug hotels and hedgehog houses. When in May they opened a shop at Abridge Garden Centre to sell their products and provide much-needed funding for their group, they were delighted that Epping Town Mayor Cllr Christine Burgess agreed to perform the official opening ceremony. Sally Panrucker, Co-ordinator for Ace Activities, commented: “We were so pleased that the Mayor was able to visit and open our new outlet. Our members were on hand to present their work and talk to her about the skills they’d learned by being part of this innovative project. We’d also like to thank Abridge Garden Centre and the Riverside Timber Recycling Project for the amazing help they give us.”
A bumper harvest for Ace gardeners Ace Activities, a project of Voluntary Action Epping Forest, has come a long way from its beginning as a conservation taskforce at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey. This was followed by an allotment project with Epping Forest District Council in the grounds of a sheltered housing scheme in Loughton. In 2018, we moved to Chigwell to help with maintenance in the beautiful grounds of The Grange Farm Centre and surrounding Roding Valley Meadows. We were made so welcome by the staff and Trustees of Grange Farm that in 2019 we applied and received a grant from the CIF fund (Condition Improvement Fund) with Essex Wildlife Trust to build a fully accessible allotment and community garden in the grounds. We were also fortunate enough to receive funding for a magnificent polytunnel from the National Garden Centre. Accredited training and learning opportunities The construction of the site and the polytunnel has led to a considerable improvement of the project that provides fully supported day opportunities for groups of up to 10 people with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have been able to introduce accredited training via the education charity ASDAN. This provides structure and enhanced learning experience for our members. In June, we held our 2nd National Open Garden Day (NGS) and raised over £160 for NGS charities in entrance fees. Our ‘Cooking with Confidence’ members also opened a café for the day selling their home-made cakes and refreshments. A great day was had by all and we’re aiming to make it bigger and better next year. Prize-winning vegetables This year our hard work was rewarded with our most successful harvest ever with crops such as sweetcorn, aubergines, peppers, leeks and beetroot. Such was the amount and quality of the produce that we decided to enter the Toot Hill and Epping Horticultural Society (EHS) Annual Shows, winning a host of prizes including ‘Best Vegetable in Show’ from EHS for our sweetcorn. One of our star volunteers Alan Brett knows the importance of manure and ensures that we have a steady supply thanks to Chigwell Riding Trust. Asked to sum up what Ace Activities means he commented: “Given the best seeds of ideas, together we can make them grow. As well-rotted manure does to our soil, Ace Activities enriches all our lives. Fresh air, sun, rain, work and manure equals happiness, success and mental and physical wellbeing.” All our Ace Gardeners will agree with that. Sally Panrucker – Co-ordinator for Ace Activities
Epping Monday Market Come and enjoy our historic charter market in Epping High Street, every Monday from 8am until 4pm (approximately). We have stalls selling a wide range of everyday merchandise, including clothes, plants, hardware and pet food, as well as many that have gifts for Christmas. Fancy hiring a stall? Contact: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk to check availabilty and for more details.
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New signage from Epping and Loughton tube stations to Epping Forest installed New public display boards have been unveiled at Epping and Loughton Underground Stations this week, as part of a campaign to waymark walking routes into Epping Forest, whilst also promoting the use of public transport. The new information boards include background information about Epping Forest, maps of walking trails and key visitor locations to look out for along the way. The maps are supported by the introduction of waymarking stickers on lampposts between each station and the nearest entrance point to Epping Forest. The project has been managed by Epping Forest Heritage Trust, following a grant of £14,000 from the City of London Corporation’s Central Community Grants scheme. The funding has also facilitated the production of a ‘Big Walk’ printed map, which includes a range of walking trails through Epping Forest from Manor Park in Newham in the south to Bell Common in Epping in the north. The project has been delivered by a consortium of partners including the City of London Corporation, Transport for London, Loughton and Epping Town Councils and Essex Highways. Epping Forest is owned and conserved by the City of London Corporation. It is internationally important and listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and one of the few remaining extensive natural woodlands in southern England. The site is London’s and Essex’s largest free open green space, attracting more than ten million visits each year. It comprises a core of 5,900 acres, supported by an additional 1,800 acres of ‘buffer’ land, to help protect it from encroachment and to preserve the local environment and its wildlife. Judith Adams, Chair of Epping Forest Heritage Trust said: “We hope the signs, waymarking and maps encourage more people to explore the wonders of Epping Forest from these two iconic tube stations, so they too can enjoy the fantastic trees, iron age forts and simple joys of being in an ancient Forest. Thank you to our partners at the City of London Corporation, Transport for London, Epping and Loughton Town Councils and Essex Highways for their support in bringing this project to life. Moving forward we would love to work with other partners to deliver similar signage to the Forest from the 15 other public transport stations close to the Forest.” Ben Murphy, Chairman of the Epping Forest Conservators at the City of London Corporation said: “So often, visitors jump on the tube to visit Epping Forest and assume the entrance point is at Epping. In fact, there are twelve and a half miles of gateways into the Forest, which spans the London Boroughs of Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge and the Epping Forest District. I understand the health and wellbeing benefits Epping Forest offers residents and visitors, however, with more than 10 million visits to Epping Forest this year, we must find new ways to mitigate the damage to the Forest. I hope this new signage will encourage more people to help our ancient woodland, by walking or using some of the public transport options”. Epping Forest Heritage Trust is a charity and membership organisation dedicated to inspiring and educating people about Epping Forest, engaging people in conserving the Forest and protecting it now and for generations to come. People can request a copy of the Big Walk map to help them explore the Forest using public transport by emailing: admin@efht.org.uk The City of London Corporation manages over 11,000 acres of open space in London and SE England, including Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath and Burnham Beeches and over 180 smaller sites in the Square Mile, investing over £38m a year. The City Corporation’s green spaces, most of which are charitable trusts, are run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve. They include important wildlife habitats, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves, and are protected from being built on by special legislation. The photo of the new signage at Epping shows Ben Murphy, Chair of the City of London’s Epping Forest & Commons Committee; Cllr Cherry McCredie, Deputy Mayor of Epping; Cllr Christine Burgess, Epping Town Mayor; Judith Adams, Chair of Epping Forest Heritage Trust; Nick Ely, Conservation Officer, Epping Forest Heritage Trust; Cllr Nigel Avey, Epping Town Council; Gareth Leslie, Customer Experience Manager at TFL and Jade Matthews, Customer Experience Lead at TFL. Thank you to David Jackman for any pictures and media input in this issue. Everything Epping Forest local news and information service. Check out all the local news at: https://bit.ly/m/EverythingEppingForest
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Epping Horticultural Society Show Epping’s Annual Horticultural Society Show 2023 was a flourishing success, celebrating a fruitful growing season with an abundance of entries and a hearty turnout of visitors. This beloved community event showcased not only the talents of local gardeners but also the spirit of unity and support from various local businesses and charities. The heart of the Annual Show has always been its impressive array of entries and this year was no exception. The participants raised the bar with their exceptional displays of horticultural prowess, resulting in a tough competition. Congratulations to all our trophy winners. The success of the Annual Show is also down to the vital role played by the local businesses and charities that set up stalls in the Church. Their presence added an extra layer of vibrancy to the event, offering an array of products and services that catered to the diverse interests of the attendees. Matthew’s plants stall in the churchyard provided people with the opportunity to acquire beautiful plants and gardening advice from seasoned experts. It served as a hub for plant enthusiasts and novices alike. The icing on the cake, quite literally, was the café in the Church managed by Cathy and her team of enthusiastic volunteers. Visitors were treated to a gastronomic delight, relishing sumptuous lunches and indulging in delectable cakes that left taste buds dancing with delight. The café also served as a cosy meeting place for friends and families to savour the atmosphere. The 2023 Show was a resounding success, a testament to the dedication and passion of the local gardening community. With stunning entries, support from local businesses and charities and a delightful café, it was a day to remember. As we look forward to next year, we can only anticipate an even greater celebration of horticultural excellence and community spirit. By Victoria Robertson
Probus Club of Epping Meets monthly at the Lindsey Street Community Association, Frampton Road, Epping for lunch followed by an invited speaker. Retired or semi-retired men interested in joining, please contact Club Secretary, Mr Hilary Dodd on 01992 560381.
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CanalAbility: Accessible Christmas Cruises Sail into the holiday season with CanalAbility’s Accessible Christmas Cruises. With the holiday season just around the corner, you might be interested in planning a unique and accessible Christmas gathering for your loved ones, caregivers, community, or disability support group. Award-winning charity, CanalAbility, is offering something a little different – accessible Christmas Cruises aboard specially adapted canal boats designed for groups of 10 to 12 people. From as little as £16 per head*, you can enjoy a unique Christmas celebration on board one of two cosy centrally heated canal boats. Crew are provided and steer you through the sparkling winter landscape of the River Stort, while you prepare your own festive feast, or simply relax and watch the world sail by in comfort. Each boat is fully equipped with ramps and lifts to enable access via wheelchair and for people with impaired mobility. Additionally, they feature wet rooms, fully accessible toilets, hoists and fully equipped galleys to allow you to prepare your own festive meals. CanalAbility is an award-winning charity located on the Hertfordshire-Essex border in Harlow. Their mission is to provide individuals with a wide range of disabilities, health conditions, or those experiencing disadvantages, the means to enjoy river boating experiences on their specially adapted canal boats. Get into the festive spirit and enjoy a magical Christmas boating experience cruising through the beautiful Essex and Hertfordshire countryside with CanalAbility. To find out more call CanalAbility on 01279 424444, email: hello@canalability.org.uk or visit www.canalability.org.uk *based on 10 people.
Rotary’s on a mission Anyone who is 70+ will remember the Polio pandemic of the 1950s, but many others don’t know what Polio is or even think that it no longer exists. There were 45,000 cases in the UK in the 1950s; a paralysing and deadly disease mainly attacking the under 5s and teenagers. Swimming pools were closed and a massive vaccination programme started. The unlucky 45,000 children who contracted the disease were hospitalised for months at a time, some in iron lungs (the forerunner of Covid’s ventilators) for days or weeks, many died and many had to wear callipers to stretch and strengthen the muscles of their legs. ‘Bake Off’s’ Mary Berry contracted the disease when she was 13 years old and was hospitalised for months, resulting in a twisted spine, a weaker left hand and a thinner left arm. The disease is incurable but is preventable by means of vaccination and eventually the disease was eradicated in the USA and the UK. As founder members of The Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1979, Rotary International has, over the ensuing years, reduced the number of Polio cases by 99.9% from 350,000 cases to just a few in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but as long as one single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting Polio. Imagine, if all eradication efforts stopped today, then within 10 years polio could paralyse as many as 200,000 children each year. Rotary members have contributed £1,719,900 and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly three billion children in 22 countries from this paralysing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have also played a role in decisions by governments to contribute £8,189,000 to the effort. So you can see why Rotary is always on a mission. World Polio Day is on 24th October every year, and The Rotary Club of Epping add to their own annual contribution to eradicate Polio by fundraising activities and appealing to shoppers in Epping High Street to make donations to the fund. This year was no exception and a dull and dreary day in Epping was lightened by the sunny smiles of shoppers who stopped by to contribute. The Rotary Club of Epping thanks you all, as do the children of other countries all around the world. You raised £255, made all the more special by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who contribute £2, for every £1, you give, making a very worthwhile sum of £765 for The Epping Rotary Club to add to their other fundraising activities. Yes, we’re on a mission and Epping folk have helped push that mission forward. Thank you – and as Rotary always says, Every Penny Counts. New members are always welcome. Please email: keithedwardhibberd@yahoo.co.uk for more details.
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Epping Town Council allotments As the weather turns, it is time for our allotment tenants to prepare their plots for the winter. Our tenants at Meadow Road and Lower Bury Lane have been busy cultivating in order to preserve their gardens and restart them in the spring. Whether you have an allotment or want to prepare your own garden for the spring, there are many jobs that can be started now to keep it looking bright throughout the winter months. For example, early November is a good time to plant spring bulbs (except tulips – December is the time for those) and take cuttings of your current plants. A plant grown from a cutting will always be the same as the original, whereas one grown from seed will inevitably be different; so if you are particularly fond of any this may be the solution to keeping them for another year. It is also a good idea to dig any ground that you may want to replant in for this very reason, as it will be drier and easier to work with than if attempting in the colder months. If you would like more information on renting an allotment at either of our sites and to go on our waiting list, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or call us on 01992 579444. Happy gardening.
Outdoor gyms and Rotary chess table Epping Town Council have an outdoor gym at Stonards Hill recreation ground with 16 pieces of exercise equipment built into it. There are also two outdoor gym pieces at Frampton Road recreation ground. We are always looking for ideas for new activities so please email us if you have any suggestions. The Rotary Club of Epping are very kindly fundraising to deliver a new outdoor chess table at Stonards Hill recreation ground. For more information or to make suggestions, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk
Christmas market, trees and lights Epping Town Council’s Christmas Market will be held on Saturday 2nd December from 10am to 4pm on Epping High Street. Funky Monk Epping is the main sponsor of this year’s Christmas Market. There will be around 60 craft, gift, food and drinks stalls on the High Street along with entertainment including local school and adult choirs. There is a Santa’s Grotto and stalls at Epping Fire Station on the day of the Christmas Market. Epping Library will also be joining in, hosting a visit from therapy dogs, there will be a storytime and some arts and crafts. Come and meet Mickey Mouse and Olaf from Frozen. We have mulled wine, roast chestnuts and lots of Christmas goodies. Why not come and do some Christmas shopping and enjoy a fabulous day out? Lots of fun for all the family. Epping Town Council also light up the town with Christmas trees and lights, including a central Christmas tree on the ‘piazza’ which this year has kindly been donated by the Wood family. The Rotary Club of Epping are very kindly sponsoring the Christmas tree again this year and they will be donating money to two charities. We are very grateful to them both.
Epping Town Council halls for hire and regular events at our halls Epping Hall on St Johns Road hosts many classes, events and parties during the year. Why not book an event with us? We have yoga, pilates, tai chi, children’s stage classes, adult and children’s karate, ceroc dancing and much more. The Hall is also the main offices of Epping Town Council. The Jack Silley Pavilion at Stonards Hill recreation ground is very popular for parties and classes. There are regular children’s dance classes, art classes and much more. Julie’s café is next door and there are lots of other activities to enjoy at Stonards Hill recreation ground while you are there. Email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or tel: 01992 579444 for more information.
Where is this? This is one of the sites managed by Epping Town Council in Epping Parish. Do you know where it is?
Epping Town Council information TOWN COUNCILLORS 2023-2027 Members - Hemnall Ward Cllr N Avey Cllr C Burgess Cllr C McCredie Cllr R Sharif Cllr Janet Whitehouse Cllr Jon Whitehouse
nigel.avey@btinternet.com christine_burgess@hotmail.com 07831 501598 razsharif@icloud.com 01992 560289 01992 561875 jon@jonwhitehouse.org.uk
Members - St John’s Ward Cllr L Burrows Cllr J Duffell Cllr H Pegrum Cllr G Scruton Cllr H Whitbread Cllr M Wright
01992 572003 07847 357493 johnduffell@live.co.uk 01992 572173 grscruton@gmail.com 07508 180426 holly.whitbread@btinternet.com 07926 516097
Cllr L Burrows, Cllr C McCredie, Cllr R Sharif, Cllr H Whitbread, Cllr Janet Whitehouse and Cllr Jon Whitehouse are also Epping Forest District Councillors. Cllr H Whitbread is also an Essex County Councillor. MP: Dame Eleanor Laing MP (020 8508 6608) eleanor.laing.mp@parliament.uk
invitations for the mayor 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.
ARTICLES AND PICTURES We are always looking for Epping-related articles and pictures (high resolution) for Talk About Epping. Please send them to the email address below.
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Please note: meetings are currently in-person meetings and will be held at Epping Hall unless otherwise stated. November 2023
14 Planning 14 COUNCIL 28 Planning
7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm
December 2023
12 Planning 12 COUNCIL
7.15pm 8.00pm
January 2024
9 Planning 9 COUNCIL 23 Planning
7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm
February 2024
13 Planning 7.15pm 13 COUNCIL 8.00pm 27 Planning 7.15pm 27 Corp Gov 8.00pm www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk/meeting_dates
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.
talk about epping deadlines Articles for the next edition of Talk About Epping must be submitted before 8 January 2024 (Spring issue) and 15 April 2024 (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 Follow us on twitter: @eppingtown Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/epping.towncouncil