Essex Central Magazine - October 18

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YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE - ISSUE 59, OCTOBER 2018

HAUNTED ESSEX The Counties Most Haunted Venues

FARM REVIEW We Visit Old MacDonald’s Farm

LOCAL NEWS Keeping You Up To Date

WHAT’S ON Your Local Events Guide

WIN!

...2 Weeks FREE at Stagecoach Loughton

Click here to choose your image

NEW L O O H C S

There are 25 different images to choose from

is delighted to be opening a new school near you

Our fun and engaging weekly classes are for 4 - 18 year olds.

Children are given both structure and freedom as they learn how to sing, dance and act.

Age: 4 - 6 year olds Age: 6 - 18 year olds

Time: Saturdays 9.30am - 11.00am Time: Saturdays 10.00am - 13.00am

Venue: Debden Park High School, Willingale Rd, Loughton, IG10 2BQ

stagecoach.co.uk/Loughton 02033 756 913

Stagecoach Performing Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals.

Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.

Stagecoach Loughton

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DELIVERED TO THE ESSEX TOWNS OF THE CENTRAL LINE AND BEYOND

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YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE - ISSUE 59, OCTOBER 2018

HAUNTED ESSEX The Counties Most Haunted Venues

FARM REVIEW We Visit Old MacDonald’s Farm

LOCAL NEWS Keeping You Up To Date

WHAT’S ON Your Local Events Guide

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12

BOO! Welcome to our October issue. We are celebrating Halloween this month with the most haunted buildings in Essex! Plus we feature some family friendly events that are more treat than trick.

WIN!

...2 Weeks FREE at Stagecoach Loughton

CONTACT

editor@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk Tel: 01787 583152

On page 31 we review Old MacDonalds Farm, which we visited last month with our boys (they loved it).

advertising@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk

Our local news pages talk of exciting new openings on the high street plus upcoming charity events and we also have a jam packed what’s on guide with plenty of ideas of things to do this month.

SketchDesign

We also have our usual fashion and home pages with style ideas for both.

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See you next month!

CONTENTS ON THE COVER

8 Local News 12 Haunted Essex 31 Old MacDonalds Farm 32 What’s On 35 Competition Win 2 Free Weeks at Stagecoach

FASHION & BEAUTY

15 Very Berry 19 Feel Good With Gok

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ESSEX CENTRAL

ADVERTISING

DESIGN

CONTRIBUTORS

Victoria Robertson, Abbotts Travel, Visit Essex

PUBLISHERS

School Open Days Ltd

HOME & GARDEN

23 Back to Botanics 25 October Gardening Guide

TRAVEL

26 Vietnam Travel Feature

FUN & GAMES

37 Puzzle Corner 38 Dad’s Diary

EssexCentralMag @EssexCentralMag

Distributed monthly to at the following towns: South Woodford, Woodford, Chigwell, Wanstead, Chingford, Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Theydon Bois, Epping, North Weald, Ongar.

Although every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, School Open Days Ltd take no responsibility for any errors or the advertisements within this magazine.

Made to Meaure Window Blinds For a free no obligation quote call us today!

Tel: 020 3553 5900 Specialists in:

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168 High Street of Epping, Essex, CM16 4AQ info@lanostrarestaurants.co.uk 01992 572 995 6 

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Our Services We provide the highest quality of care to keep you safe and comfortable in your home or setting of your choice. We see you as unique, respecting your own individual lifestyle and needs. We offer everything from personalCare care- to shopping, cleaning or social visits. The care we provide Bluebird Care visits at home © Bluebird Franchises Ltd 2016you can be tailored to your requirements providing youCare with the care that Our Services We provide the highest quality of care to keep you safe and want when you need it most. comfortable in your home or setting of your choice. We see

Bluebird care 1-2 May18.qxp_1/2 LANDSCAPE GRID 22/03/2018 09:53 Page 2

andyour Rochford Our Bluebird Care officeSouthend is local within community; this ensures the T 01702 474274 management team are close at hand to give you on-going support and a uebirdcare.co.uk E southendandrochford@bluebirdcare.co.uk dedicated team.

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you as unique, respecting your own individual lifestyle and needs. We offer everything from personal care to shopping, cleaning or social visits. The care we provide can be tailored to your requirements providing you with the care that you want when you need it most.

Redbridge T 0208 989 8444 Live-in care is a realisticEand affordable alternative to residential care low@bluebirdcare.co.uk redbridge@bluebirdcare.co.uk Our Bluebird Care office is local within your community; this ensures the management team are close at hand to give you on-going support and a dedicated team.

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allowing you to remain independent, comfortable and secure within the setting of your own home. Live-in care can also be a short-term care solution following a stay in hospital, to assist you in taking a holiday or to © Bluebird Care Franchises Ltd 2016 give your friends and family or regular carer a break or support.

Live–in Care Live-in care is a realistic and affordable alternative to residential care allowing you to remain independent, comfortable and secure within the setting of your own home.

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Epping and Harlow T 01992 577776 E eppingandharlow@bluebirdcare.co.uk

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LOCAL NEWS KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Epping based company ASB-MCM UK Construction Ltd are continuing to grow stronger each year and are now focussing more of their experienced services towards the local residential market.

CALLING ALL JUNIOR WARRIORS!

Teens Unite’s Junior Warrior Race will be returning to Roding Valley Recreation Ground in Loughton on 7th October 2018.

This is an opportunity for those aged 4-13 years to take on a challenge of their own for charity and make a difference to the lives of others.

Participants will complete a muddy race course in their age appropriate category, where they will overcome 15 different obstacles along the way.

The event is organised by Teens Unite and will raise vital funds and awareness to support the charity’s work in uniting young people and rebuilding their lives following a cancer diagnosis.

Seven teenagers are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. Teens Unite brings them together through workshops, activities and residential stays, so they don’t have to face their bottle alone. They are able to make new friends, learn new skills and rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.

Debbie Pezzani, CEO and Co-Founder of Teens Unite has said: “The Junior Warrior Race is a fantastic opportunity for children to embrace the outdoors, have fun and complete their own challenge. Families in the local area are able to come together and really make a difference to those who need our support.”

A BBQ and a selection of stalls will be available for families to enjoy on the day.

The event follows the recent opening of Teens Unite’s office in Loughton. These new premises are in addition to the charity’s Head Office in Broxbourne and provide a permanent base for the charity to continue to expand in Essex.

To book places for the Junior Warrior Race, visit www.teensunite. org/events, email challenges@teensunite.org or call 01992 440091.

Tickets cost £12 per child in advance.

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ESSEX CENTRAL

We caught up with the ever busy co-director, and good friend of Essex Central Magazine, Sharmila Bholanauth, who told us more about the exciting plans. “Both Garreth and myself are very keen to offer local residents the wide range of great services under our business, for example, we can provide electricians, landscapers, plumbers, whatever the client needs, and we can do this because we have over 15 years experience and have built up a trusted set of reliable contacts over the years. We have done everything from building carparks, to installing bathrooms, if you need a construction company who offer a great value and a great service then get in touch and we can provide a free quote for the work… whatever it may be!”

Going through the website portfolio you can quickly see the exceptional standards that ASBMCM Construction work to, and with such a vast array of services on offer it’s clear to see they can help anyone with their construction needs. www.asb-mcmconstructions.co.uk Tel: 01992 618 025

Just Tanned Is Celebrating Its 1 Year Anniversary

Nicola O’Rourke from Just Tanned in Woodford tells us more about her business, “I have worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years and have always enjoyed making people feel good about themselves, whether that be with beauty products or through tanning. Now I get to do both as I have recently been joined by Frankee Hajder who is an amazing semipermanent make-up artist who specialises in a number of treatments.

“I opened Just Tanned in October 2017 and have had a great year building the business. The shop has been completely refurbished and now offers a great tanning experience. We offer both lay down and stand up sun beds to help you get your glow on!

“As well as great beds we also offer a wide range of tanning products, including sun bed creams, skin and body care, Australian Gold SPF range, fake tan products, teeth whitening and everything in between. All products can be purchased in the salon or on our website.

“We have 1, 2 and 3 hour courses available and watch out for our special offers throughout the year! We also sell gift vouchers if you would like to treat someone.

“We are open 7 days a week and my team and I are here to help you with all your tanning needs.

“To celebrate our 1 year anniversary we are holding a special event on Saturday 27th October. We will be offering FREE 10 minute sunbeds throughout the whole event as well as 20% off all products.

“There is parking outside the salon as well as free parking in Ashtons (at the rear) and 30 minutes free in the side road.

“Come in and celebrate with us, I can’t wait to meet you all.’’ www.justtanned.co.uk

THE EPPING BEAUTY CLINIC IS NOW OPEN

New Opening! The Epping Beauty clinic is now open and is bringing into Epping very innovative laser treatments such as hair removal, skin care, acne and acne scarring, pigmentation, anti-aging, aesthetics treatments. The laser treatments can remove acne scarring, facial veins, and skin pigmentation.

It’s also the only local clinic to exclusively offer ‘Indian eyebrow threading and shaping” so you can just pop in quickly and get this done or call us to book an appointment.

If you’re looking for more advanced treatments such as Botox, derma fillers, call us or pop in, you can always have a free consultation. All very confidential.

Our experienced team of Doctor (fully GMC qualified), therapists and practitioners are very friendly and are happy to help. The team is national and international and Harley Street based.

It’s the perfect place to go and give yourself a treat. Discretion is utmost as we are small, private and there are side entrances away from Epping High street.

We also offer OPI Nails, waxing, profhilo hyaluronic collegen boost , Chemical skin peels, derma roller/ derma pen, microdermabrasion and much more!!

152 High Street High Street, Epping, United Kingdom, CM16 4AQ Tel:01992676734

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If kids ran the world today instead BI UY NO T of fighting politicians...

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ESSEX HAUNTED

With over 14,000 listed buildings and connections with some of the bloodiest episodes of British history, could Essex officially be the UK epicentre for all things spectral?

Hedingham Castle

F

rom Boudicca battling the Romans to Wat Tyler and the Peasants’ Revolt, the bloody lives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to the murderous Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins and so many more, Essex is a county rich in gory, fascinating history and legend. And when better to explore this exciting heritage and re-tell the tales of the past than Halloween?

Nearly 900 years of history are etched into the stones of Hedingham Castle, with the Norman keep home to several ghosts.

Queen Elizabeth I was actually a guest at Hedingham Castle and she famously rallied her troops at Tilbury

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Canewdon

Fort, as they prepared for the arrival of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Her ghost is said to appear there but it is nearby Coalhouse Fort that is said to be even more haunted and every bit as fascinating. Eerie voices, the laughter of children and the sound of heavy objects being dragged have been reported there.

Even the name, Mistley Towers, has a gothic ring to it. The twin towers themselves are all that is left of a Georgian church, surrounded by gravestones. Just over a century before they were built, the bloody reign of terror of self-styled ‘Witch Finder General’, Matthew Hopkins rampaged across England, but was centred in nearby Manningtree. It is

Borley Rectory

thought Hopkins and his assistant ‘Witch Pricker, John Sterne’ sent up to 400 souls to their deaths - 19 of whom were hung at Chelmsford in a single day. Hopkins retired to Manningtree and died there. The man whom proclaimed to have “The Devil’s own list of all the witches of England” was buried at Mistley Heath and his spectre is said to appear at full moon by the village pond, a scene of several of his witch trials.

Britain’s oldest recorded town, Colchester, naturally has a wealth of tales - real or imagined - of spirits that haven’t managed to pass over to the other side. Colchester Castle is an ideal starting place

Spooky Events If you’re not feeling brave enough for visiting Essex’s most haunted venues this Halloween then try these family friendly local events.

DR GORES SPOOKY MAD LAB

Saturday 20th – Sunday 28th October Dr Gore’s Spooky Mad Lab is the perfect half term treat for all the little ghosts and ls ghouls out there.

Royal Gunpowder Mil The Mad Lab is where you will find the slime station to make all types of glorious goo. And cause a stir creating secret potions.

Create your very own witches hat and miniature broomstick to take home with you - and if your broomstick doesn’t get you off the ground try making a rocket instead!

Get into the spooky theme by dressing up in the dress-up area, and take a selfie whilst you’re at it. www.royalgunpowdermills.co.uk

STEAM & SCREAM

Mistley Towers

to let your imagination run as wild as a Banshee’s hair. It is Europe’s largest Norman keep and was built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius. The apparition of a cat is said to haunt the grounds; dead felines were often interred by Romans in the foundations of their buildings for luck. More dramatically, there is the sad story of James Parnell. He was a Quaker imprisoned for his beliefs and died in the castle’s prison in 1656. Legend has it that every time he wished to eat, his captors would make him climb a rope. One day, too weak to hang on, the 20-year old fell to his death and haunts the dungeon to this day.

The village of Canewdon is known

Friday 26th Saturday 28th October At North Weird you’ll find all Colchester Castle sorts of fun and spooky things as ‘The Village where to do. Expect Witchfinders feared to see spookily to tread,’ has literally Epping Ongar Railway decorated trains dozens of ghost and zany characters, stories and most of them centre a Halloween marquee and John, on the church. Legend has it if the resident magician, will be giving you run anti-clockwise round it on magic shows throughout the day; Halloween, the Devil will appear. there will be a silent disco and a bar.

And of course, no self-respecting There will be a Ghost Hunt ghost hunter could possibly and you may even get to travel consider visiting Essex without on the Ghost Bus! braving a trip to the site of widely There’ll be spooky food to buy proclaimed ‘Most Haunted House and for an additional charge face in England’, Borley Rectory. The painters will be around.

Victorian mansion was destroyed by The owls from the Epping a fire in 1938 and later demolished Forest Hawk and Owl but its reputation lives on.

Sanctuary will also be Find out more at flying in for a visit! www.visitessex.com www.eorailway.co.uk

ESSEX CENTRAL

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Award

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VERY BERRY Pure Collection

BURGANDY IS BACK WITH A BANG THIS SEASON. CHOOSE THIS HUE FOR A SOPHISTICATED LOOK THIS AUTUMN.

Velvet Handbag £30 Miss Selfridge Add a luxe touch to your winter wardrobe with this velvet handbag.

Lace Fit & Flare Dress £79 Sosandar

Kynlee Coolweave Fleece £50 Regatta Earrings £10 Next We love these earrings from Next which are great for dressing up a more casual look.

Block Colour Roll Sleeve Jumper £30 Glamorous

Pelted Faux Fur Coat £49.99 New Look Stripe Joggers £24 Dorothy Perkins

Monsoon Leather Skirt £75 Littlewoods Fluffy Heels £30 Dorothy Perkins These fun and flirty heels from Dorothy Perkins are perfect for upcoming festive events.

ESSEX CENTRAL

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ESSEX CENTRAL

FUNCTION WITH ON TREND DESI GN

BRINGING THE STREET TO THE SLOPES

Protest’s AW 2018-19 collection is a fusion between authentic design and technical performance. They deliver to every winter sports lover, what they are known for function with on trend design. This collection brings the street to the slopes and vice versa. Protest fully understand their customers and always focus on their main goal – to help you to get there.

Protest aim to incorpoate more eco-friendly fabrics and processes into their collections.

Fusing cool design that you have come to expect from them with new technology.

Its with this that they have developed the GeoGreen label made out of recycled products or sustainable fabrics.

Protest, as always amalgamates the street and the snow in fantastic fusion. This season is no exception. This year they have taken their inspiration from old school tailoring and reinvented it.

You’ll see feminine ruffles on sporty melanges and fabulous leopard prints with refined stripes. By experimenting, taking the traditional and transforming it into something new. Here is a collection to fall in love with.

Their silhouettes vary from short and bomber to a longer Parka-style.

They have expanded their power stretch line, which now also includes experimental gradients,

gingham checks, camouflage, and stripes.

For the more fashion concious on the slopes, they have added a line of super-sized puffer jackets. Within the new GeoGreen range is a core jacket that reflects this approach “the Sloane” snow jacket, created from a biodegradable bamboo-blend with mechanical stretch and waterproof breathable hydrophilic lamination. A real must have peice this year.

Colour is always key with Protest and this collection has three colour groups, to include a winter berry family, a mod retro palette with reds and blues and a sporty colour group of clean fresh colours like coral, sky blue and grass green.

These colour families are coupled with grey melanges, beiges and of course strong black and white styles.

It’s time to change things up on the slopes. Let Protest RE-invent your winter wardrobe with this collection of technical fashion-forward snow and streetwear. The winter is coming, be ready with Protest. www.protest.eu

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CELEBRATE WITH US!

To celebrate our 1 Year Anniversary we are holding a Special Event on Saturday 27th October.

We will be offering FREE 10 minute sunbeds throughout the whole event as well as 20% Off all products!

We’ve recently been joined by Frankee Hajder who is an amazing semi-permanent make-up artist who specialises in a number of treatments.

We are a new fully refurbished Tanning Salon based in Woodford, Essex. ​We have both Ergoline and MegaSun beds. ​We also offer a wide variety of creams and tanning products to help you achieve and maintain your glow.

These can also be purchased from our online store for great prices!

608 Chigwell Rd, Woodford Green IG8 8AA 020 8502 9559 | www.justtanned.co.uk

SKIN CARE | LASER HAIR REMOVAL | AESTHETICS | ACNE & ACNE SCARRING ANTI-AGEING | SUN DAMAGE & PIGMENTATION | INDIAN THREADING WAX | OPI MANICURE & PEDICURE

EPPING BEAUTY CLINIC 152a High Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4AQ Info@eppingbeautyclinic.co.uk | 01992 676734

Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm | www.eppingbeautyclinic.co.uk 18

ESSEX CENTRAL

FEEL GOOD WITH GOK EARTHZEST ORGANICS JOINS GOK WAN ON ONE SIZE FITS ALL TOUR

Essex-based luxury organic skincare company EarthZest Organics has teamed up with Gok Wan as a sponsor on the latest leg of his national One Size Fits All tour at Rivers Golf and Country Club, Essex, on 7th October 2018.

Gok’s Guests will be able to enjoy a pamper with EarthZest Organics’ items, as well as the opportunity to sample and buy any of its range of meticulously crafted, vegan-friendly skincare products.

Bespoke face and body balms, tonics and serums for every skin type (for men, women and babies) are created with ingredients selected for their restorative properties from ethically and sustainably sourced botanicals, herbs and essential oils.

Since the company started in 2014, it has realised the importance of knowing what is in skincare products.

Sustainability and vegan-friendly is also becoming increasingly vital for many.

dressing people to suit their figure and style, he also instilled the message of body confidence and loving yourself for who you are. Gok has carried this message throughout the years and multiple TV series. On the ‘One Size Fits All’ tour he will be personally dressing the nation (with some lucky members of the public being picked out of the audience for a style makeover), and re-instilling that body confidence ethos.

He says: “Body confidence is not about waking up and loving every part of you - it’s about waking up and not hating any part of you.”

EarthZest Organics echoes Gok’s message in its own ethos; feeling good is about taking care of yourself and also loving you for who you are.

Founder Jackie Callow says: “Our products will relax your mind, renew your body and revive your spirit.

Founder Jackie Callow found that many natural and synthetic skin products were filled with water, tested on animals and didn’t have long-lasting effects. She discovered even organic products were only partly natural and were mainly water.

“We are thrilled to be a sponsor on this tour, and showcasing our luxury products to Gok’s guests. They will be able to enjoy complimentary skin consultations and mini-treatments from Courtney Smith, owner of The Beauty Shop in Southend-on-Sea and leave our stand feeling revitalised and refreshed. At EarthZest we understand the importance of looking and feeling good.”

All EarthZest products are 100% organic* and natural, certified 100% vegan with The Vegan Society and cruelty-free. They also contain no synthetic chemicals or fillers.

*EarthZest Organic’s Face Envy Mask contains naturally occurring clay that cannot legally be labelled organic because it occurs naturally and is not the result of EU-controlled farming methods.

Famous fashion expert Gok Wan, shot to fame with his series ‘How To Look Good Naked’ and as well as

Visit www.earthzest.co.uk to find out more about the company’s products.

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A warm welcome awaits you at the award winning Theydon Oak Dining & Pub. We have Christmas all wrapped up with our fresh delicious traditional festive menu. Having been nominated for the best pub roast in the UK you can be assured of a tasty Christmas feast. We have Christmas party nights with fantastic live music planned throughout December.

Why not bring your Christmas party to us?

Our dining pub is within a grade II listed building which has been standing for over four centuries. You will immediately be taken by the sense of history that surrounds you. Exposed beams decorated with genuine horse brasses and antiques adorning every alcove. You can be assured of a cosy atmosphere with our two log burning fireplaces on cold winter days.

As proud members of Cask Marque and officially featured in The Good Beer Guide and The Good Pub Guide our bar is very well stocked with a wide selection of real ales, lagers, beers, fine wines, champagnes and malt whiskies. We are also delighted to be offering exciting delicious Christmas cocktails throughout the season and a new hot drinks menu.

Tables are booking fast for Christmas please book now to avoid disappointment. There really is something for everyone at Theydon Oak. Please like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter and view our website.

We are now taking Christmas table bookings

Limited Availability Tables Book Fast Please call and book now to avoid disappointment

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THE THEYDON OAK 9 Coopersale Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 7QJ Email: info@thetheydonoak.co.uk ESSEX CENTRAL Tel: 01992 572618

At THE THEYDON OAK ESSEX CENTRAL 

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Fitting Service 22 

ESSEX CENTRAL

BACK TO BOTANICS HOME INTERIOR INSPIRATION

Gold Palm Dish £45 www.coxandcox.co.uk/

Vinyl Wall Mural www.pixers.us Jump in on the latest trend by bringing the outdoors in with these botanically themed accessories.

From stationery items to home decor, these luscious leafy prints and wild floral designs will add an element of nature to your inside space.

Whether in the form of a small accessory or a large decorative piece, the botanical imagery will add an air of serenity to your surroundings. And with the abundance of greenery now in your home, summer doesn’t have to end any time soon!

This wonderful printed throw will be an incredible addition to your home. To throw on a sofa, bed or an occasional chair.

Inspired by the woodlands and watercolour prints, this throw is truly unique.

Wilderness Topaz Throw £125 www.bridgman.co.uk

Blue Resin Tulips Coasters £12 www.giselagraham.co.uk

Beaded Fern Cushion £35 www.idyllhome. co.uk Watercolour Leaves Print £4.50 www. modeprints.com

Blue Wild Flowers Ceramic Heart Hanging £25 www.charlottehupfieldceramics.com Real flowers are impressed into the surface of the clay when soft to preserve their beauty. Each heart tile is individual and unique - no two are ever the same.

Medium Garden Birds Ceramic Jug £19.50 www. giselagraham.co.uk

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THE GARNON BUSHES Traditional Family Run Pub

13 Coopersale Common, Coopersale, Epping, Essex CM16 7QS

Tel: 01992 560211

E-mail: info@garnonbushes.co.uk

Warm atmosphere, friendly service and great food

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND LIVE MUSIC Mario! The Incredible Duo SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 27TH OCTOBER We look forward to seeing you soon.

Exceptional Indian Dining Temple Indian Fusion offers diners a unique culinary experience.

PAN ASIA

COMING SOON 151 QUEENS ROAD, BUCKHURST HILL, ESSEX IG95 AZ

Tel: 020 8505 6687 or 020 8504 4380 www.templefusion.com Take Away home delivery outside catering for large or small parties such as weddings & birthdays

FREE delivery in a 3 mile radius Old Parcel Office, Jubilee Parade, Snakes Lane East, Woodford, Essex IG8 7QF

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ESSEX CENTRAL

WILDLIFE WATCH

On cold autumn mornings you will see how many spiders there are. You can easily spot spider webs outlined with dew on hedgerows, house windows and even on car wing mirrors. Spider silk is very interesting - If you see a spider making a web watch how it is carefully constructed.

PESTS AND DISEASE

GARDENING WITH VICTORIA ROBERTSON

A SEASONAL GUIDE TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GARDEN. The cooler weather is fast approaching so now is the time to protect your half-hardy plants, like your pelargoniums because they won’t tolerate a touch of frost. To save them you will have to dig them up if they are in the ground and place them in a pot. Prune them back by one-third once in a pot and if they are already in a pot do the same. Water the pot thoroughly and place in a cool but well lit part of your house or green house until next spring.

Lift your dahlia tubers at the end of this month and store them away in a cool dark place. But if like me you don’t have enough storage space then cut them down to ground level

and apply a lovely thick layer of straw over the top of each one and put in a marker so you know where they are.

Leatherjackets are often more numerous after a wet autumn, as damp conditions favour survival of eggs and young larvae. They will cause lawns to develop patches where the grass turns yellowish brown and often dies. Soak affected areas with water and cover over night with a piece of black polythene.

The following day large numbers of grubs should be found on the surface under the cover ready for you to remove and destroy.

Brighten up outside your front door by planting up pots and winter hanging baskets. Choose plants such as heathers, pansies, primroses, dwarf conifers and dwarf hebes. Plant out primulas and wallflowers that will give you a fantastic display in the spring.

If your rambling roses and your climbing roses have finished flowering prune them and tie in the stems before any winds cause damage.

Keep regularly raking off any leaf matter from your lawn if you have one. This will also help to break up any thatch that you may have too.

By Victoria Robertson, amenity horticulturist and committee member of Copped Hall & Epping Horticultural Society & Chairman of Epping in Bloom

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THE ANAM A

veraging more than 300 sunny days per year, it’s the first truly luxurious property in this pristine coastal destination, far removed from the hustle and bustle of nearby beach city Nha Trang.

VIETNAM

FIVE-STAR LUXURY ON VIETNAM’S SCENIC CAM RANH PENINSULA, THE ANAM IS FAST BECOMING ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE HOTELS.

Situated on the northern part of the peninsula, the distance between Cam Ranh International Airport and The Anam is less than 20 minutes by car. The resort is easily accessible from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi thanks to daily flights.

Shaded by 3000 palm trees, the lush 12-hectare property overlooks the white sands and turquoise waters of Long Beach.

A total of 117 villas and 96 rooms and suites epitomise Vietnamese craftsmanship and offer picturesque views of the ocean, headlands, lush gardens and the resort’s swimming pools.

The villas, rooms and suites range in size from 50 square meters to 267 square meters. All accommodations are light, airy and feature king-sized and/or twin beds in the centre of the bedroom, hardwood finishes from sustainably cultivated forests, and customised encaustic mosaic floor tiles, creating an atmosphere of oldworld elegance.

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All the bathrooms in the villas, rooms and suites are adorned with grey slate stone tiling and feature deep soaking tubs and separate rain showers.

The villas are recognised by the Worldhotels as ‘World Luxury’- one of only six resorts worldwide to achieve this status. The Anam and its team are guided by a ‘No News, No Shoes, No Stress’ approach to accommodation, blending colonial-era charm and warmhearted Vietnamese service with modern comforts.

Guests are also invited to indulge themselves in all the facilities on offer, including a fine dining grill,

all-day dining restaurant, a classical bar, sports bar and beach club, in-room dining, a 10 treatmentroom spa named The Sri Mara Spa, 3D movie theatre, three swimming pools, ballroom, gym, tennis court, yoga room, kids club and more.

The Indochine is located near The Anam’s open-air lobby overlooking the East Sea. An extensive buffet breakfast is offered to all guests, which includes popular Vietnamese, Asian and Western dishes. Lunch is an a la carte affair with a delectable

selection of contemporary cuisine Beach’s 27-hole Cam Ranh Links and the restaurant also hosts buffet Golf Resort. Designed by Australian dinners to themes that change daily. Golfer Greg Norman, the 90-hectare golf course is set to become one of To give diners a truly authentic the top 100 in the world. slice of Vietnamese culture, each Wednesday The Indochine opens For more information, or to book its doors to give mothers of the yourself a trip to paradise in staff, who each don a toque and Vietnam, contact Abbotts Travel apron to cook their favourite specialities for the guests as part Abbotts Travel of the resort’s popular “Mamma’s Cooking” initiative.

Complimentary daily activities include beach volleyball, badminton, and sepak takraw (a sport known as kick volleyball native to Southeast Asia). For golf enthusiasts, The Anam is a few minutes from Long

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South Woodford E18 1BA Tel: 0208 989 9445 www.abbottstravel.com ESSEX CENTRAL

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EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY

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Our motivated teams have the hands-on experience and are technically

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We provide a range of services from tailored planned preventative maintenance packages to reactive maintenance services. We will keep your property in excellent conditions and minimise any disruption to your business operations.

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OLD MACDONALD’S FARM & FUN PARK REVIEW

Like millions of others, we’d driven past Old MacDonald’s Farm whilst on the M25 and often wondered what it was like inside, well last month we finally got the chance to take a look around.

And we weren’t disappointed!

Firstly, the car park is free and once inside, all the rides are free as well (something not all attractions like this can say). There really is so much more to do than we could have imagined, it’s crammed full of exiting rides, attractions, animals, games, food outlets and various fun things to do.

Upon entry, you walk through the large gift shop and into the play house area and café, then out into the park itself, our boys ran straight to the huge inflatable slides and started hurling themselves down whilst laughing as they tumbled. After this we all headed to the maze and then the doggy dog roller coaster, this was great fun and my eldest (who’s 5) was putting his hands in the air like a mini thrill seeker.

We carried on through the various attractions: helter skelter, train ride and carousel, and made our way to see some of the animals, there’s various farm animals on site, from Reindeer and Meercats, to Otters and Owls, as well as Tortoises and rabbits inside the enclosed areas.

The boys loved getting up close to all the tame animals and stroking them or letting them eat food from their open hands.

The boys then found the JCB construction area on the sand and started to dig away, this allowed the Mrs and I to take 5 minutes to sit down and relax! The park wasn’t too busy and it was nice to watch a handful of children all getting plenty of individual time on each of the

tractors and trucks, digging away in the sand as they waved across to the parents on the side.

It was now time for some food, and we found a nice little patch to have a picnic, but the boys wanted more food (as usual!) so we headed to one of the various food outlets and got a

lovely portion of fish and chips.

It was now back to the rides and we headed to the new ‘crazy barn ride’ which all four of us boarded and then began swaying side to side as it spun around in the air, needless to say the boys both loved it!

The time had come for us to leave, but there was one more attraction on the way out… indoor soft play, both boys kicked off their shoes and leapt

in whilst we took a seat and watched over. It had been a fantastic day and superb value for money, next time we go past there’s a very good chance we will head back in.

Old MacDonald’s Farm, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY www.omdfarm.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON YOUR LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE drinks (tea and coffee provided). To book a table, ring Sandra on 01277 363927.

Friday 5th October, 7pm for 7.30pm at Ongar United Reformed Church, High Street, Ongar Hippocampus ©Susan Clare

QUIZ NIGHT Cash prize to be won. Tel: 01992 572 618.

Every Tuesday at The Theydon Oak Dining & Pub, Coopersale Street, Epping CM16 7QJ THEYDON & ABRIDGE JAZZ CLUB Listen to and/or dance to live traditional jazz bands (different each session). Non-members welcome. Membership available.

Members’ children under 12 free.

Bar, tea and coffee. Good seating, friendly atmosphere, free parking, disabled facilities.

Second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Abridge Village Hall, Ongar Road, Abridge

LADIES RUNNING CLUB Come and join our social running group for ladies only. Set yourself targets and push yourself or just be comfortable running at your own pace plus Fairlop Waters is a perfect place to enjoy a run. £3 per session, no booking required.

Every Thursday, 7pm at Fairlop Waters, Forest Road, Barkingside IG6 3HN QUIZ NIGHT Teams of eight (£6 per person).

Take your own nibbles and

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Thursday 11th October, 8pm at High Ongar Village Hall, Mill Lane, High Ongar

WOODFORD FESTIVAL The nine-day event begins with an opening day extravaganza at the Hawkey Hall with fun events, music performances, an arts and craft show, barn dance, film show and a demonstration by a local organic baker. The festival will feature nine days and evenings of live music, art, poetry, walks, talks, drama, dance, arts and crafts events, concerts, film, theatre, quiz nights, beer festivals and more.

Programmes are available from Woodford and South Woodford libraries, churches, pubs and participating venues in the local area. Many of the festival events will be free or low cost.

Saturday 6th October – Sunday 14th October ONGAR ART SOCIETY A demonstration of Marine Scene in Acrylic by Susan Clare. For more details, ring Lynne Harris on 01277 372123 or Beverly Hughes on 01708 688554.

NEARLY NEW SALE Theydon Bois Pre-School nearly new sale of baby and children’s clothing, toys and equipment, £2 per family.

Saturday 13th October, 10am12noon at The Scout Hut, Loughton Lane, Theydon Bois MUSIC FOR LUNCH Saturday 13th October, 13.30pm at The Abbey Church, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey FARMERS MARKET Produce stalls and local organisations. Loughton Residents’ Association councillors on hand to respond to residents’ questions and problems.

Sunday 14th October, 9am-3pm at Centric Parade, High Road, Loughton QUIZ NIGHT Teams of six to eight people.

Tickets, £10, include fish/ chicken and chips or vegetarian option. Soft drinks available.

Ring Valerie on 01992 713996

by Thursday, October 18th for tickets.

Saturday 20th October, 6.30pm

for 7pm at St Lawrence Church, Ninefields, Waltham Abbey SHOW Theydon Bois Drama Society performing A Bunch of Amateurs,

by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, Tickets, £9.50, available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ theydonboisdramasociety or by ringing 01992 919038 Thursday 25th October – Saturday 27th October, 8pm at Theydon Bois Village Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois GBCON A quarterly tabletop games day.

Experience the new wave of modern board, card and roleplaying games in a friendly, inclusive environment. Admission £10 for the day (minimum age of 16). More information at www. facebook.com/gbconuk Saturday 27th October, 10am10pm at Lopping Hall, 189 High Road, Loughton

HALLOWEEN DISCO Half-term kids Halloween Disco and fancy dress party, (Disco 1: 3pm– 5.30pm or Disco 2: 6.30pm–9pm).

Tickets: children £7.50 (adults £6.50). The event is primarily aimed at children aged four to 11 (under4s welcome but need a children’s ticket). All children or group of children must be with an adult and remain their sole responsibility at event. Sandwiches, cakes etc. will be on sale. Face Painting, licensed bar, kids’ drinks, kids’ tombola, lucky dip, pocket money toys. Tickets can be booked in advance. For more details contact Irene Bull.

Tel: 020 8559 4500; email irenebull@ hotmail.co.uk Friday 26th October at Chingford Assembly Hall, Station Road, North Chingford

VOLUNTEER DAY Do you enjoy working outdoors?

Do you fancy getting some exercise while helping to improve wildlife habitats and maintain the local landscape? Volunteer Days run on the last Tuesday of the month with all training and tools provided.

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy boots. Take your own food and drink. Ring Julia Rolf on 01992 523863 for further details or email julia.rolf@greenacresgroup. co.uk Tuesday 30th October, 10am-3pm at GreenAcres Epping, Kiln Road, North Weald

AUTUMN FIREWALK A chance to take on a barefoot walk over red hot wood embers, smouldering at over 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Places are limited to 40. Registration is £25 per person with participants asked to pledge to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. Under-18s must have signed guardian permission to walk. For more information, ring events fundraiser Emma Broadbent on 01279 773754 or email emma. broadbent@stclarehospice.org.uk Sunday 28th October 3.30pm-6pm at St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood

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Stagecoach teaches children aged 4-18 to sing, dance and act and is suitable for all abilities, whether a child wants to pursue a career in performing arts or just learn a new skill, everyone is welcome!

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SUFFERING FROM BACK, HIP OR KNEE PAIN? THEN WALK THIS WAY AposTherapy® is an innovative, personalised, non-surgical and drug-free programme for knee and back pain, based on a foot-worn biomechanical device which is individually calibrated by specially-trained chartered physiotherapists.

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PUZ ZLE

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Difficulty: Evil

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Can you spot 6 differences between these two pictures?

WORD SEARCH

Find these scary words: Ghost Haunted house Werewolf Witchcraft Dracula Trick Spooky Treat Pumpkin Black cat

Nightmare Halloween Zombie Fright Vampire bat

Skeleton Cobwebs Broomstick Cauldron Frankenstein

For puzzle solutions please visit www.essexcentralmagazine.co.uk

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ENTERING FATHERHOOD

WITHOUT A MAP...

Regular readers of this column (hello to you both) will know that Jake is mildly obsessed with dinosaurs, so much so, that he has now started speaking dinosaur. So, most conversations go something like this, “What’s your name?” - “T-rex!”, “Shall we play outside?”, “Err, Stegosaurus, triceratops” and so on. Plus, he also like to prowl around and call himself a velociraptor. So, to combat this addiction we decided to take him to… Roarr Dinosaur Adventure Park (in hindsight we were adding fuel to the fire). I’ve never seen a 3 year old backflip, and that fact still stands, but… if he could have, he would have.

Upon arriving he was already delirious, yelling out all the dinosaur names he could muster (although, on reflection, perhaps he was just trying to ask where we were going to park). His face was pushed so hard against the window he had a small mark on his chin saying, ‘made in Japan’, and then we were out.

He sprinted towards everything at once, and his mum, George and myself tried to run after him. We went on slides, through mazes in adventure houses, held snakes, ate food, and most of all… saw a LOT of dinosaurs. One thing I hadn’t bargained on however, was a huge scaffolding high rig section that George seemed keen to go on.

It’s a very high metal course where you are harnessed on a rope/pulley system and move along the track, to a zip wire at the end, traversing all types of bridges and platforms along the way, and there are two levels, high and very high.

Now, all dads want to look brave in front of their kids, and I’m no different, however, I do suffer from a little bit of vertigo but thought I could happily push this to one side and enjoy helping my son get

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through this high wire obstacle course. You could quite literally smell my fear from the beginning, as the poor lad who was putting me into the harnesses suit scrunched his nose and remarked to his colleague “I could have sworn these were washed this morning?”. I did my best to chuckle the comment away, clenched a little tighter and prayed to any god listening that no more fear would be released.

“Dad let’s go!” the little kid was leading me into certain death and all he could do was smile, “Right behind you George”, I said with all the manly sounds of a frail 95 year old lady. “Make sure you wave to Mum!” What? What’s he on about, surely no one would be cruel enough to record a man soiling

“The little kid was leading me into certain death” himself, petrified, in public, 50 foot up?! But I was wrong, there was my cruel fiancé, waving and laughing, at ground level, stood next to some muttering hairy blob who kept yelling about dinosaurs. George was now whizzing across the obstacles, whilst I clutched every barrier for dear life, he then reached the end and flung himself gleefully over the edge like a lemming.

I closed my eyes and slowly made my way towards the edge, in what must have seemed an eternity “Come on mate, we close at Christmas” one of the staff jokily remarked. I could have stabbed him. But before I had time to find anything sharper than a sock, I was

sailing through the air, across the zip wire, towards a beaming George on the other side. I’d done it, I’d actually done it, it was over.

“Now let’s do the top level!!” The smell of fear intensified so much that a passing child nearly passed out, “Erm, George, why don’t we stay down here??” but I was too late, he’d already climbed up and was now dangling about 2,000ft off the ground (admittedly this height may be mildly exaggerated due to my state of delirium, but I’m sure it wasn’t far off). I thought to myself, “Right, just get up there, don’t let him see you’re nervous, don’t pass on your fear of heights, just go up there!!” I was ready to climb up the ladder, my legs moved forward but a strange thing happened… I didn’t go with them. My hands were gripping onto the metal handrails so hard that my fingers were making sizable indentations on the steel. After a bit more internal coaching I manged to slowly make my way up, George was looking confused and mildly bored “Don’t worry Son, I just had to help a few of the other dads back there, they looked a bit scared,” I tried to confidently say. And then began the scariest 10 minutes of my life, all whilst being filmed, and feeling with each step that my heart was about to blast through my chest.

I just wanted to hurry up and get back down on the ground, so I could find my anus which had long since fallen out. Eventually we reach terra firma and as the family walked off to the next attraction I stayed kissing and hugging the ground until I was politely asked to leave at closing time. Never again.

…To be continued

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