TALK ABOUT EPPING TOWN MAGAZINE
WINTER 2026
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The Mayor’s view
total fascination and remains a highlight of gently release them Epping’s calendar, back into the wild. celebrating the skill, A beautiful, but simple patience and pride of reminder of why local growers. protecting our natural I admire their talents world matters. enormously. On the practical front, After more than a my Clean Up Epping decade of hard campaign is delivering work, Epping’s results, with Neighbourhood Plan Goodness, what a fly-tipping cleared has finally been jam-packed few within hours in some adopted. A months. Being Mayor cases. Practically tremendous is about more than lightspeed for local achievement for just turning up looking government. Essex everyone involved. official. It’s about County Council has Good things come celebrating Epping, also been nudged to those who wait... listening to residents about neglected and wait... and wait! and speaking up when pavements and At Stonards, I had the something needs to potholes. privilege of unveiling change. Epping’s first town a picnic bench in Ours is a town with festival brought a memory of Martin, real character, blessed wonderful buzz to the one of our former with ancient forest, High Street, thanks to groundsmen. It’s a a historic High Street, the Epping Town fitting tribute to proud market heritage Partnership. What someone who helped and beautiful warmed my heart most care for a place surrounding villages. was seeing so many enjoyed by so many. We’re fortunate to community stalls At Epping Forest have wonderful attracting visitors, with District Museum, green spaces on our people keen to get I held a genuine doorstep and a involved, find out more medieval gold ring community who loves or simply learn discovered locally. them. However, we something new. My thanks to Mayor’s can’t assume they’ll That’s what builds a Cadet Till Roberts always be there. community: people for accompanying me. Across the district, supporting one I’ve volunteered at data centre another, opening Epping Foodbank, applications, solar doors and creating joined Play in the farm proposals and stepping stones Park, attended the major developments towards greater Macmillan coffee are raising serious understanding. morning and the questions. Don’t get It’s how we learn to suicide awareness me wrong, there’s a live alongside one event at Green Acres, place for technology another, celebrate our questioned the Police, and renewable energy. differences and Fire and Crime And goodness knows, recognise how much Commissioner, laid a I love a good Netflix more we actually Battle of Britain wreath binge as much as the share. and joined the League next person. But where The weekend ended of Friends of St do these developments with the glorious Margaret’s Hospital. belong and can our return of Proms on the And that’s just a small infrastructure cope Green. The Epping selection of the many, with their cumulative Forest Band provided many duties carried impact? With pressure the soundtrack, the out since August. on water supplies and weather behaved itself I can’t promise to fix utilities, we need more and picnic blankets every pothole by answers before the took over the grass. Mayoral decree, but I diggers move in. As the evening can promise to keep Progress matters, but deepened into velvet asking questions, so does protecting our blue, our Green listening and pushing countryside. became the perfect for answers. At the Teddy Bears’ setting for music, So, if you spot me out Picnic in Buckhurst Hill, community and a little and about, please do I watched children summer magic. Epping come and say hello. catch butterflies, at its very best. examine them with The Horticultural Show
Razia Sharif
The Mayor’s charitable aims One of my happiest moments was visiting Foxburrows Farm with my son. As an alienated mum, being able to hold him, hug him and laugh together while looking at old photos was pure joy. As my cancer journey continues, those moments of connection are precious beyond words. That’s why my Mayoral causes are cancer awareness beyond diagnosis and parental alienation. Through Conversation for Change, I want to encourage greater understanding and meaningful action. These are deeply personal issues, and awareness must lead to change, not simply another fundraising event.
Epping Town Council new website
Epping Town Council has a new website. It still has the same domain name of: www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk but it looks clearer and is easier to navigate. You will find lots of things on the website, including meeting dates, Town councillor information, policies, finance and Town Council services such as recreation grounds and allotments. It also provides links to Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council and the Highways reporting site for any road and pavement problems. There are also links to community information such as Epping in Bloom, the Epping-Eppingen Association and blue plaques.
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St John’s Church Christmas Tree Festival We are pleased to announce that St John’s Church Epping will be hosting another Christmas Tree Festival this year involving numerous organisations, schools, businesses and groups from the local area and enjoyed by so many people over this festive weekend. There will be a fantastic display of 65 beautifully decorated trees in the church, each with themed decorations and lights and with its own special character and message. This year we will be raising money for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) as well as contributing to St John’s Church funds. Visitors can also enjoy delicious refreshments (hot sausage rolls, soup, sandwiches, cakes and even a glass of fizz or mulled wine) as well as craft stalls, a tombola, children’s games and a chance to enjoy live Christmas carol singing from Coopersale Hall School Choir (on Saturday morning) plus a Friday evening performance from Epping Rock Choir. So come along and enjoy the spirit of Christmas with your friends and families, see the dazzling display of decorated Christmas trees and soak up the atmosphere, the more the merrier. We look forward to welcoming you. Free entry for 0 - 16 years and students. Adults £3.50.
Epping Christmas Market Friday 4th December 2026 The annual Epping Christmas Market is back again this year on Friday 4th December with different hours this time around; we will be opening at 12 noon and finishing at 8pm. This year’s festive market will have traders offering all sorts of Christmas arts, crafts and gifts, from traditional to modern, so something for everyone’s stocking. There will also be lots of food and drink to buy and try. The Christmas tree light ‘switch on’ is still very much an important part of this event and the magic button will be switched by our Town Mayor Cllr Razia Sharif. There will be performances provided by some of our local schools, with added entertainment from featured bands, singers and choirs along with popular Christmas characters and of course there’s always the chance that Santa might pop along to keep an eye on proceedings. There will be lots of gifts on sale at this magical event, so why not come along with all the family, sample the festive goodies and enjoy the fun. This is a great time to see Epping sparkle and enjoy the fabulous community we have at this special time of year.
Epping Monday Market Don’t forget our Epping Monday Market traders sell lots of interesting things, including cards and gifts, in the lead up until Christmas and all year round. Why not visit and pick up some nice presents and support our local traders and businesses? There are lots of eateries selling festive goodies so why not drop in while you are out and about. We have a very friendly market and high street who appreciate your support. Don’t forget Epping Eats, our monthly street food market, held on the second Friday of the month from 3pm to 9pm.
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Annual Petanque match: Epping Town v District Epping Town Council has retained the trophy in the annual pétanque challenge against Epping Forest District Council at Stonards Hill recreation ground, Epping. Town Mayor Cllr Razia Sharif and Cllr Grahame Scruton beat Cllr Janet Whitehouse and Suzanne Lion, wife of Epping Forest District Council chairman Cllr Alan Lion, 13-10.
Safer Epping At our last meeting we welcomed Mandy Thompson and Brian Killick from EFDC plus three police officers, Jamie, Mike and Tim and we had a most productive evening focusing on reporting antisocial behaviour. Many other topics were discussed; access to defibrillators around Epping being one of them. If you see damaged/defaced/obscured road/street signs, or worn out road markings please send details to: mccrediecherry@gmail.com with a what3words location and a photograph and we will report it. Our next meeting is 23rd November, Epping Hall, 7.15pm where we hope to welcome Chief Inspector Emma Patterson from traffic. Please send any issues you would like me to raise to Cllr Cherry McCredie at the above email address.
Community Speedwatch Alarmingly, there were 50 fatalities last year 2025* and 30 this year up until August 2026. *Ref: BBC News interview with Adam Pike 11/09/2025 “Speedwatch saves lives”: We see a lot of people react to our presence and slow down. Fact: If a child steps out in front of a car travelling at 30mph, it will stop in 23m (9m thinking time + 14 stopping time). Ref: Highway code The same car travelling at 35mph will hit that child at 20mph: The force of impact has a 10% chance of fatality but will most likely results fractures, cuts, concussion or brain injury. The Community Speed Watch (CSW) programme is managed by the Safer Essex Road Partnership (SERP) which is a consortium made up from Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, Essex Highways and Essex Police. SERP’s key initiative is their Vision Zero campaign, the goal of which is to reduce road deaths in Essex to Zero by 2040. SERP can only hope to achieve their momentous goal with the help of the Epping CSW team, together with over 100 other volunteer teams throughout Essex. The Epping volunteer team, who have been trained by SERP, strive to conduct a one hour session at one of our 5 active locations, rotating on a weekly basis. Speeders are recorded when they exceed 35mph in a 30mph zone. We are unable to issue PCN notices, however, their data is sent to CSW Police who will issue a warning letter. Peter Murray, Epping CSW Coordinator If anyone is interested in becoming a CSW volunteer please contact Peter Murray on 07912 194713 or Email: peter_murray10@ yahoo.co.uk
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Special picnic bench for Martin Patience
On Thursday 8th October 2026, Epping Town Council unveiled a special memorial picnic bench for our late groundsman Martin Patience. Martin was a well-loved part of the Epping community, who spent many years looking after Stonards Hill recreation ground alongside our other sites and this bench will act as a permanent reminder of him in a place he loved so much. The bench was unveiled by Town Mayor Cllr Razia Sharif and Martin’s wife Karen, son Josh with family, friends and former colleagues in attendance. Martin worked for Epping Town Council for 19 years and he is very much missed by us all.
Update from our Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, Dr Neil Hudson With Autumn now upon us, I am pleased to update you on my recent work as your Member of Parliament for Epping Forest. I was deeply concerned that the Government has designated Epping Forest District Council under Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Stripping the Council of its power to determine major planning applications hands those decisions directly to central Government. I believe this is an affront to local democracy. I have raised this in Parliament and am working with local Council colleagues and the Shadow Cabinet to press Ministers to reverse this decision and protect our Green Belt. Local concern has also been raised regarding a planning application for up to 400 homes, plus 160 elderly living units, on Green Belt land north of Stewards Green Road on the edge of Epping. This site is not allocated for development in the adopted Local Plan. However, changes to the National Planning Policy Framework introduced by the Government have increased development pressure near transport hubs, even where infrastructure is already overstretched. I share constituents’ concerns and have written to the Planning Committee urging them to object. Once our precious Green Belt and working agricultural land is built on, it is lost for good. In addition, many residents have suffered persistent Thames Water disruptions across Loughton, Chigwell, and Buckhurst Hill. Thames Water’s handling, poor communication and lack of support for vulnerable residents are indefensible. Throughout, I urgently communicated and liaised directly with both Thames Water and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to demand they work together to deliver the effective crisis response constituents rightly expected. On a lighter note, it was wonderful to attend the Epping Festival organised by the Epping Town Partnership. The Proms on the Green showcased the vibrant community spirit we enjoy across Epping Forest. I also visited the Epping reuse shop run by ECCO, a charity supporting vulnerable residents, reducing waste and reinvesting proceeds into regional environmental projects. Moreover, meeting many of you at High Beech during the Epping Forest Big Walk run by the brilliant Epping Forest Heritage Trust was a real highlight. Finally, following the recent reshuffle, I was honoured to be promoted to Shadow Minister of State in the Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Team by Kemi Badenoch MP. I will continue pressing the Government to tackle fly-tipping and rural crime to protect our countryside and community.
Epping at the Movies Our local film group will be hosting their next Epping film screening on Friday 4th December 2026, after Epping’s Christmas Market in Epping High Street. Film details to follow. Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping, Essex. CM16 5JU
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Summer fete at Ashlar House Ashlar House was filled with sunshine, laughter and excitement as residents, families and staff came together to enjoy our wonderful Summer fete. Our home is more than just a place to live it is a community filled with friendship, shared experiences and treasured memories. Our Summer fete was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together, enjoy each other’s company and create even more special moments. With a Hawaiian theme bringing a tropical feel to the day, our amazing staff helped create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. From the early preparations to the celebrations themselves, there was a real sense of excitement throughout Ashlar House. It was a day all about community, togetherness and having fun. The smiles, laughter and conversations shared throughout the fete made it a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved. At Ashlar House, we believe that life should be filled with meaningful moments, opportunities to connect with others and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Events like our Summer fete bring our community together and help us continue making wonderful memories as part of the Ashlar House family. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special. Here’s to sunshine, friendship, laughter and another beautiful chapter in the Ashlar House story.
Epping’s first Repair Café: fixing, sharing and bringing things back to life Monday 5th October saw the launch of Epping’s very first Repair Café at St John’s Church, bringing local people together for a morning of practical skills, friendly conversation and a shared mission to reduce waste. The first event was a great success, with volunteers repairing an impressive variety of items brought along by local residents. Lamps, a music box, a garden chair, fan, shaver and a bubble machine were among the items given a new lease of life. Clothing and accessories were also repaired, including a sweatshirt, a bag and a cape, while even a much-loved ornament was fixed. For one visitor, having her lamp repaired was particularly special. So delighted to see it working again, she said she “could cry with happiness” – a wonderful reminder that the things we own can often have far more value than their price tag. The Repair Café is about much more than fixing broken items. It is an opportunity for people to share skills, learn from one another and meet others in their community. By repairing rather than replacing, the initiative also helps reduce waste and encourages a more sustainable way of living. Visitors enjoyed seeing their treasured belongings brought back to life, while volunteers had the satisfaction of putting their practical skills to good use and helping their neighbours. Following the success of the first event, the next Repair Café will take place at St John’s Church on Monday 2nd November, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. A further session is planned for Monday 11th January, also from 9.30am to 12.30pm. So, if you have something broken, damaged or simply in need of some care, don’t throw it away just yet. Bring it along, meet the team and see whether it can be repaired. The first Repair Café has certainly proved one thing: repairing things can make people very happy.
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Epping tube - a clogged artery? Epping’s rail connection began in 1865, with the steam Great Eastern Railway. The Ongar extension was cut in 1994. The Central Line is one of the longest lines and parts are amongst the oldest on the network. Throughout the twentieth century the Tube was a primary reason for Epping’s development and growth. It provides a vital link into East and Central London and is very heavily used by commuters, shoppers, students and many others. It also acts as a railhead for travellers from the North and East, including Harlow; with what is reputed to be the largest car park on the entire network - usually full before 7am on weekdays. However there are problems: The frequency - not all trains reach Epping, as the line splits to Hainault, Newbury Park, etc, so often there are waits at Oxford Street or Mile End; on a recent occasion, the Epping train was the sixth. Also, it is not unknown for late evening trains to simply stop at Leyton, with no rail replacement offered. The trains are dirty, graffitied, with clouded windows and saggy upholstery – well, they are over 30 years old. Refurbishment has started, aiming for 2029, but with only 5 trains completed so far. Meanwhile lines like the Piccadilly have new air-conditioned stock. The first part of the ride is seriously uncomfortable and there is the well-known problem with track noise, from Mile End inbound, where the rail screeching can exceed 90dB (classified as “could cause hearing loss if extended”). There are significant concerns about the capacity of the service. In rush hours, or when trains are fewer, we play sardines for the first 10 or so stops. Return journeys can be like this all the way. We know some Theydon Bois commuters who often come up to Epping to try for a seat. Luckily most travellers are polite and helpful – usually ready to squash the last few people on. The station itself has few Oyster gates and a small entrance, so queues occur, with missed trains and a general feeling of frustration. Meanwhile the approach road is extremely congested with pedestrians, cars, taxis, buses, along with poor road and pavement surfaces and a difficult pedestrian crossing at the top. Our MP Dr Neil Hudson has repeatedly criticised this situation in Parliament, while Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) have several times interviewed Transport for London (TfL) bosses. But no improvements are promised. The Epping Society argue that our vital artery is already so inadequate that to consider it as an advantageous factor for further housing development is inexplicable. Developers are claiming that access to the tube means that their hundreds/thousands of proposed new homes will be “sustainable”; this is inaccurate and misleading – even dare we say it, fraudulent? If one buys a new home in Epping, then finds out the actuality of the service on that first Monday morning, people will be entitled to feel misled. Solutions? To coin a phrase – “Answers on a postcard please” to TfL, EFDC, Essex County Council, the Planning Inspectorate, etc. Roger Lowry, Vice Chair, The Epping Society
Epping Rosebowl 2026 It was with great pleasure that Epping Town Council presented Jacqui and Chris Thoms as winners of the Rosebowl 2026 at Epping Horticultural Show. They were presented the Rosebowl by Epping Town Mayor, Cllr Razia Sharif. They are the first winners since the Rosebowl was opened to all gardeners to enter, after historically being only open to pub gardens. The council was in agreement that they were most impressed by their array of beautiful flowers, their manicured lawn and vertical growing structure. It was clear how much time and love had been poured into their garden, making Jacqui and Chris worthy winners. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing more beautiful products from the green fingered of us in Epping for 2027.
Would you like to look after Noddy? Noddy’s adventures in Epping have been stalled as he has found himself resting after the closure of his former home Piccola. Epping Town Council rescued Noddy on Christmas Eve 2024 to ensure he stayed in his Epping home. We have since been hunting for a new home for our beloved toy. Could your business be his new home? He requires the following: 1) a power source 2) a covered area 3) to be taken in and put to bed each night. Any associated costs will be covered by Epping Town Council, with the hope Noddy can generate some income for a charity or local business as the next guardian sees fit. If you or a fellow business owner may be able to care for Noddy in his next adventure, please contact Epping Town Council at: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk
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First ever Epping Town Festival brings the community together - By Cllr Holly Whitbread Epping enjoyed a fantastic weekend of community celebrations as the newly formed Epping Town Centre Partnership hosted the first ever Epping Town Festival on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, bringing residents, families and visitors together to celebrate everything that makes the town such a special place to live and visit. Organised by the Epping Town Partnership, chaired by Barbara Scruton, the festival brought together local businesses, community organisations and residents for a weekend of entertainment, activities and opportunities to discover more about the town. With a packed programme of events across the weekend, the festival was a tremendous success, attracting a great turnout, bringing more people into the town centre and creating a real buzz on the high street. Bringing the community together Saturday saw the town come alive with entertainment and activities, including a volunteer fair in the High Street, giving local organisations the opportunity to showcase their work and encourage more people to get involved in the community. The festival showcased the fantastic range of community organisations working across Epping. Among those represented were Epping Ongar Railway, Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping at the Movies, Epping Fire Station and the newly established Repair Café, alongside many other local groups. There was fantastic entertainment from the majorettes and Chingford Morris Men, helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Epping Rotary Club also played an important part in making the festival such an enjoyable occasion, organising the Woodland Creature Hunt and providing family-friendly fun. Visitors could also enjoy the Lions on the Loose trail, Epping Society walking tours, a treasure trail and broadcasts from Radio Forest. A particular highlight was the Epping Society Blue Plaque Walk, led by Roger Lowry, which gave participants the opportunity to discover more about Epping’s rich history and the stories behind its historic landmarks and notable residents. Proms on the Green returns Sunday saw the welcome return of the much-loved Proms on the Green, providing a wonderful finale to the festival. With sunshine, music from the Epping Forest Band and another excellent turnout, residents gathered to enjoy the entertainment, spend time with friends and family and celebrate a much-loved local tradition. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the occasion and making the most of a weekend dedicated to celebrating Epping and its community. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers A huge thank you goes to all the wonderful volunteers who gave their time, enthusiasm and energy to make the first ever Epping Town Festival such a success. Particular thanks go to Barbara Scruton for her leadership, hard work and commitment in bringing the event to life, working alongside Shanne and so many others in the Partnership to turn the idea into a fantastic weekend for the town. Thank you also to the Economic Development team at Epping Forest District Council, whose support and funding helped make the festival possible. The Council has been working hard to help get town partnerships restarted across the district, recognising the important role they play in supporting high streets and local businesses, encouraging collaboration and bringing communities together. Exciting things ahead for Epping The festival marks an important milestone for the newly established Epping Town Partnership. They will continue to build on this success by promoting local businesses, celebrating community organisations and showcasing everything that makes Epping such a great place to live, work and visit. The first ever Epping Town Festival has been a fantastic start, demonstrating what can be achieved when local organisations, businesses, volunteers and residents work together. Keep an eye out for upcoming events and further opportunities to get involved as the Partnership continues its work bringing the community together and celebrating the very best of Epping!
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The League of Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital The committee of the Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital has recently made two huge decisions. First, to meet the request of Beech Ward therapists for new gym equipment which will help their patients who use the hospital’s two gymnasiums and help them towards a swifter return home and good mobility. Secondly, to meet the request of the Hospital’s Speech and Language therapists for a therapy for patients who have serious swallowing difficulties or have Parkinson’s or MS and some cancers. EMST therapy (short for Expiratory Muscle Strength Training) helps to strengthen the swallowing muscle group and helps to prevent breathing problems and even pneumonia. These devices are expensive; too dear for many patients to buy themselves. The NHS budget can’t afford to purchase the number of devices that are needed. The Friends have agreed to purchase 100, at a cost to the charity of £6,203. Hopefully, the results of this treatment will persuade the NHS to consider funding more. For the gymnasiums, the request list was long and even more pricey... The aim is to make these hospital areas fully equipped and accessible to patients, both those still in hospital and outpatients who will be able to use the multiple services soon, receiving help for recovery for a range of conditions. The Friends of St Margaret’s have agreed to finance all the equipment which is needed: dumbbells, weights, medicine balls, barbells, a weight-training system, cardio-cross and resistance training, a treadmill, a trampoline... and more. Total price: £11,266! The Friends of St Margaret’s have supported Epping’s Hospital for many, many years - since 1949. But the gym request is probably the largest ever.
Support for Sight: here to help Support 4 Sight is a local charity supporting people living with sight loss, as well as their families and carers, across mid and west Essex. Founded in 1994 as Saffron Sight, we have grown from supporting people in Saffron Walden to providing help across the wider area. Our friendly team of staff and trained volunteers offer practical advice, emotional support and information to help people live safely, confidently and independently with sight loss. We can provide advice on everyday living, lighting, specialist equipment and technology, as well as techniques such as eccentric viewing. We offer demonstrations of low vision equipment and assistive technology, allowing you to try things before deciding what works best for you. Home visits can also be arranged for those who find it difficult to attend our services. Epping Sight Hub Our Epping Sight Hub takes place on the 2nd Monday of every month at Epping Library, from 10.30am–12 noon. The hub is a friendly, informal place to come along for advice, support and a chat. Meet our team, discover useful equipment and services, and connect with others living with sight loss. We also organise a range of social groups, trips and activities throughout the year. If you or someone you know is living with sight loss, please get in touch. We’re here to help. Telephone: 01245 933572 or email: info@support4sight.org.uk Many of our services like the befriending service and coffee mornings are run by or with volunteers and peers. We regularly offer training to skill up our volunteers and enable people to become peer mentors, so they can use their lived experience to support others with sight loss. We also provide sight loss awareness training to local employers to assist them in serving and employing people with visual impairment, as well as ensuring that the voice of people living with sight loss is heard on local strategic and planning boards. We provide support to approximately 1,000 people annually. Please visit: www.support4sight.org.uk
Epping War Memorial clean Epping’s War Memorial has been cleaned in advance of the 2026 special period of Remembrance. The War Memorial is a Grade II listed memorial which is looked after by Epping Town Council. The memorial is cleaned by a specialist conservator using just water and brushes to protect its precious stone. The War Memorial was paid for by public subscription and dates back to 1921.
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St Clare call for volunteers at its shops Could you make a difference on your doorstep by volunteering at your local St Clare Hospice shop? The Hospice is calling on local people to join its shop teams, with volunteers needed across all 13 of its shops, including its shop in Epping. St Clare is particularly looking for seasonal volunteers who can spare a few hours to support with the January sales rush, as well as weekend volunteers who can commit to a regular Saturday or Sunday shift throughout the year. St Clare’s shops play an important role in their local communities, raising vital funds that help the Hospice provide free specialist care and support to local people living with a life-limiting illness, as well as their families and loved ones. Shop volunteering is fun, flexible and open to people from all backgrounds and stages of life – from students looking to gain experience and meet new people, to those looking to make a difference in their community during retirement. Volunteers get involved in all aspects of running a busy charity shop, including serving customers, sorting and preparing donations, creating eye-catching displays and helping to raise awareness of the support available from St Clare Hospice. For St Clare shop volunteer Ann, it’s the people she has met and the difference she knows she is making that make volunteering so rewarding. “The moments that have stayed with me are when a customer comes in and thanks us for all the care and compassion that St Clare provided for their loved one,” she said. “It makes me feel so humble. The friendship is also wonderful and I’ve met so many customers from all backgrounds and shared in their stories. It also gives us an opportunity to spread the message about how the Hospice can help. I can honestly say I’m so proud to be volunteering for St Clare and I thoroughly enjoy it. Anyone thinking about volunteering shouldn’t think too long about it – it’s truly rewarding.” With flexible opportunities available, St Clare is encouraging anyone who has a few hours to spare to consider joining their local shop team. The Hospice has shops in Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford, Thorley, Takeley, Great Dunmow, Saffron Walden, Epping, Ongar, Debden, Loughton and Buckhurst Hill. To find out more about becoming a St Clare Hospice shop volunteer and apply, visit: stclarehospice.org.uk/shop-volunteer. St Clare Hospice is a charity providing specialist palliative care to improve the lives of people affected by a life-limiting illness in West Essex and the East Herts borders. Our care helps patients, their families and carers, to make the most of every moment together. We support them at home and in the Hospice. With limited NHS funding, we need to raise more than 70% of our annual costs to provide our vital services; in 2024/2025 the running costs of our charity were expected to be £8.1 million. We therefore rely on our local community to help us raise money each year so we can continue being there for local families facing the most difficult journeys. Visit: stclarehospice.org.uk
St Clare nurse takes the plunge with skydive A St Clare Hospice nurse is preparing to leap from 13,000 feet to raise vital funds for the charity where she helps care for local patients and families every day. Dorothy Carter from Bishop’s Stortford, a nurse at St Clare Hospice for seven years, will take on a charity skydive after deciding it was time to tick a lifelong ambition off her bucket list while supporting a cause close to her heart. “I’ve always wanted to do a skydive, talked about it, but never actually done anything,” said Dorothy. “I saw the poster in the hospice and it just seemed a good opportunity. The time is now, better now than never. I’m nervous. I’m anxious. But I’m also a bit excited because it’s something I’d wanted to do for a long time.” Despite setting an initial fundraising target of £500, Dorothy has already raised over £1,200 thanks to the generosity of family and friends. Now she hopes even more people will support her efforts and help raise money for St Clare Hospice’s specialist end of life care services. “I’m hopeful that we can raise some funds for St Clare’s and carry on the work that goes on, helping families and patients with life-limiting conditions,” she said. Having worked closely with patients and families, Dorothy sees first-hand the difference hospice care makes. “St Clare’s care is excellent. They don’t just look after the patient; they look after the whole family. They look after everybody physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually and it would be great to reach more families and people needing support.” Reflecting on both her skydive and the lessons she has learned through her nursing career at the hospice, Dorothy has a simple message for anyone considering a challenge of their own. “Life is short and we never know what’s around the corner. If there’s something you want to do, just do it.”
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The Music Den Epping The Den audiences have continued to support and enjoy the live music over the last few months in the form of the Nigel Bagge Band returning and producing some smokey Americana numbers, The Recliner Blues Band on their first appearance, the return of Max & Veronica on tour from Europe and the first visit of The Dave Ferra Allstars featuring two saxophone players and two harmonica players in one band. The final quarter of 2026 sees the return of several of the most popular bands. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC AND IN PARTICULAR THE DEN, EPPING Line up for 2026 forthcoming months. 13th October: The Mustangs 20th October: Debbie Bond Band 24th November: Hamilton Loomis (on tour from Texas) 8th December: Ben Tyzack & Guy Tortora
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West Essex & South Hertfordshire
PROSTATE CANCER ? NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE? WE ARE HERE TO HELP.
ProActive Your local self-help prostate cancer support group with a helpline and monthly meetings at St. Margaret’s Hospital, Epping to give support. Contact us by phone on 0774 737 4692 or email proactive.epping@gmail.com or visit our website www.proactive.me.uk
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://cutt.ly/bio/EEFNEWS
Epping Town Council information TOWN COUNCILLORS 2023-2027 Members - Hemnall Ward
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
Cllr N Avey cllrnigelavey@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr C Burgess cllrchristineburgess@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr C McCredie 07831 501598 cllrcherrymccredie@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr R Sharif cllrraziasharif@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Janet Whitehouse 01992 560289 cllrjanetwhitehouse@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr Jon Whitehouse 01992 561875 cllrjonwhitehouse@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk
Please note: meetings are in-person meetings and will be held at Epping Hall unless otherwise stated.
Members - St John’s Ward Cllr L Burrows 01992 572003 cllrlesburrows@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr J Duffell 07847 357493 cllrjohnduffell@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr H Pegrum 01992 572173 cllrhughpegrum@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr G Scruton cllrgrahamescruton@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr H Whitbread 07508 180426 cllrhollywhitbread@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr M Wright 07926 516097 cllrmichaelwright@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Cllr R Sharif, Cllr H Whitbread, Cllr Janet Whitehouse and Cllr Jon Whitehouse are also Epping Forest District Councillors. MP: Dr Neil Hudson neil.hudson.mp@parliament.uk
invitations for the mayor If you are organising an event which you would like the Mayor or a Town Council representative to attend, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk 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.
October 2026
13 Planning 13 COUNCIL 27 Planning 27 Corp Gov
7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm 8.00pm
November 2026
10 Planning 10 COUNCIL 24 Planning
7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm
December 2026
8 Planning 8 COUNCIL 22 Planning
7.15pm 8.00pm 7.15pm
January 2027
12 Planning 7.15pm 12 COUNCIL 8.00pm 26 Planning 7.15pm 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 Playgrounds (not Brook Rd): 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 4 January 2027 (Spring issue) and 12 April 2027 (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 website:
www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk Follow us on twitter: @eppingtown Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/epping.towncouncil