Essex Central - March 2016 - Issue 29

CENTRAL

DELIVERED TO THE ESSEX TOWNS OF THE CENTRAL LINE AND BEYOND

FREE

THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR LOCAL PEOPLE - ISSUE 29, MARCH 2016

HAPPY EASTER Eggtastic Events And Tasty Treats

SPRING FASHION Accessorise All Areas

HOTEL REVIEW We Visit Down Hall Country House Hotel

LOCAL NEWS Keeping You Up To Date

WIN!

...a Chocolate Hamper from...

ARE YOU UNHAPPY AT HOME?

Are you worried about seeing your children?

Are you worried about your finances?

Worried about your pension?

YOU DO HAVE OPTIONS Townsend Family Law can help...

Tel: 01992 892214

practise

www.divorce-law.org

ON THE COVER 13 Local News 20 Easter Fun 24 Down Hall Review 31 Spring Fashion 61 Competition Win a Chocolate Hamper

Accessorize

47 31

FASHION & BEAUTY 29 Bespoke is Best 33 Nail It HEALTH & FITNESS 37 Marathon Training

COMMUNITY 8 Your Comments 19 Essex Police Update 53 Loughton Arts Centre Charity feature 56 What’s On Editor: Darren Perry Email: Darren@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk Tel: 01992 283 568 Advertising: advertising@essexcentral magazine.co.uk Features Editor: Victoria Grace Journalist: Devon-Elizabeth Tabersham & Ben Sneath.

Design: Sharon Butler-Felby @SketchDesign, Lauren Brown.

Contributors: Victoria Robertson, Amanda Anastasiou, Donna Bellingham & Sophie Vowden.

Publishers: 3 Blue Worldwide Ltd Facebook: EssexCentralMag Twitter: @EssexCentralMag 46,000 copies distributed to homes, businesses and station locations, along the Essex section of the Central Line and surrounding areas: South Woodford, Woodford, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Loughton, Debden, Abridge, Theydon Bois, Epping, North Weald, Ongar, Wanstead, Redbridge, Ilford, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Fairlop, Hainault, Grange Hill.

Although every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, 3 Blue Worldwide Ltd take no responsibility for any errors, or the ESSEX CENTRAL advertisements within this magazine.

4

HOME & GARDEN 40 Are You Sitting Comfortably?

45 March Gardening Guide TRAVEL 47 Alpine Rail Adventure FUN & GAMES 60 Puzzle Corner 64 Entering Fatherhood Without a Map SPORT 66 Theydon Bois Golf Club

Hello,

This month we are looking forward to Easter and feature some great ways to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays, we have days out and activities to try at home so you should be sorted whatever the weather.

Last month we had the pleasure of visiting Down Hall Country House Hotel to check out their new spa facilities and were very impressed, a full review can be found on pages 24 and 25.

Finally I would like to say happy Mother’s Day to all the mums, mums to be and nans out there! If you are still looking to book a family meal to celebrate then why not contact one of the lovely restaurants advertising with us this month.

Darren Perry Editor/Owner

020 3553 5900

Up to 20% OFF All Blinds

Up to 20% OFF All Blinds

• FREE ADVICE • FREE SURVEY • FREE FITTING

COME AND SEE OUR FABULOUS NEW SHOWROOM IN ROMFORD (ILFORD IS NOW CLOSED) A12 Eastern Avenue (near North St), Romford RM5 3AL Tel: 01708 736700

www.bodywash.uk 6

ESSEX CENTRAL

Need a reliable roofing contractor?

..then look no further Slating and Tiling • Flat Roofs Fascias and Soffits • Leadwork Pointing • Guttering and much more...

All work guaranteed

Nearly 30 years proven experience • No sub contractors used

t 01992 575241 m 07973 532125 e eppingroofingco@btinternet.com www.eppingroofingcompany.co.uk

VAT Registration number 180 446 707 ESSEX CENTRAL

7

YOUR COMMENTS

COMMUNITY

E

STAR

We love hearing from you!

ach month we trawl through our mailbox and social media sites to see what you are thinking. Here are a few of our favourite messages that we have received recently. Keep your comments coming in for a chance to win £20 if we pick you as our ‘Star Comment’ and £10 for the ‘Reader’s Photo’.

READER’S PHOTO

ping’ t in Ep ‘Sunse ald orth We N , n a ewm Trish N

Have you seen our advert in The @EssexCentralMag? @barracudascamps Thank you for the article on romantic restaurants @IlfordMarathon

8

ESSEX CENTRAL

Just come back from holiday to find Essex Central on my doormat. Lovely  Susan Bronley Congratulations to Alan Levene (right) from Woodford who was the winner of our Supercar Experience competition.

t

Read my gardening tips this month in @EssexCentralMag #hellebores #floweringbulbs @gardeningbyvr

Good afternoon, We recently moved to Wanstead from Shropshire and wanted to comment on your brilliant community magazine that got delivered this morning.

I must admit we received it last month also but didn’t get time to read it due to the hectic move. I have just sat down with a cup of tea and your February issue and thought it was great!

It’s very informative and I am sure will be very useful to us getting to know the local area, and I am also thrilled to see that the Wanstead play area will be getting a facelift which will benefit our little family.

We are looking forward to future instalments.

Jan & Phil Burrows

CONTACT US

Address: Essex Central Magazine, Brickfield Business Centre, High Road, Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6TH @EssexCentralMag EssexCentralMag editor@essexcentral magazine.co.uk

ESSEX CENTRAL

9

%89+68

)& '!- - ''*- +* ) +"- ,)& +&,& +"- + ,)* +009*4.86-5/97129 4..83/5709#8,7536 *4439 9%5124 904/$69712904/$51'9.8/)7156.6 *34,,82924436972 +6-829! *4439 9%5124 9)51'8697129)712086 7-9&07,69516-708029! 86,4$8908729 9/404+369)7129.728 41683 7-43 938,75369! 56-829439 34$8196870829'07669+15-6 /)82+0829.751-8171/89! "4/$6.5-)69683 5/89712968/+35- 9+,'37286

((- ( - (

(#9 ( #9*( " 9 " *9% *(% 9 *9*((# 9"8 809 9 +705&58296-7&&9 5-)979.515.+.94&9 9 87369 4&96,8/57056-938,75398 ,83581/8 Covering Hertfordshire, Essex and North London.

9 #$$ -% -#%% 9 $ %- #%- #$ .750 9271580 ,34 '07 51' 38,7536 /4. !!!" *' , )& *+ ,)* " '

Residential Architecture Residential Interior Design Office Interior Fit-Out Landscape & Garden Design We are an established Lodon -based practice offering over 40 years of design and technical experitse creating unique Living, Work , Learning and Relaxation environments. Enhance your property investment by optimising its value and appeal through smart and innovative design solutions London

-

Essex

T: 020 7405 4000 www.schemastudio.co.uk

10 

ESSEX CENTRAL

, - '*-,

((

+ ) , +

Buying, selling or letting... let us point you in the right direction

Lettings&Sales

montaguesepping.com

01992 571175 11 ESSEX CENTRAL 

117 High Rd Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6QQ TEL: 020 8500 6282 www.thebluebellrestaurant.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFER!

Bluebell Afternoon Tea for Two £30 including a glass of prosecco each!

Valid throughout March

Please quote TEA16 when booking

Sure Clean We are a professional cleaning company working throughout Epping, Loughton, Chelmsford, Chigwell, Essex, Hertford and all surrounding areas.

Marble • Travertine • Limestone • Terracotta • Slate • Ceramic Marble & Stone Restoration • Grout Cleaning & Colouring • Tile and Stone sealing

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

10 School Green Lane North Weald, Epping Essex, CM16 6EJ

Tel: 01992 523911 Mob: 07759 942174 www.surecleanonline.co.uk

12

ESSEX CENTRAL

LOCAL NEWS

A short roundup of what’s been going on

SV Sports Therapy team at Nuclear Fallout 2015

TWO NEW CLINICS FOR SV SPORTS THERAPY

SV Sports Therapy - sports injury clinic and sports massage therapists are pleased to announce the opening of 2 new clinics! Based in Station Road Wellness Centre, Epping, the team will now be at The Limes Medical Centre, Epping and Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate, Loughton from March. SV Sports Therapy is the only official 2016 London Marathon clinic in Essex and the official sports injury clinic for this year’s Brentwood Half Marathon on 20th March and St Clare Hospice 10k event on 10th

WEST HATCH HIGH SCHOOL FOCUSES ON FUNDRAISING

Year 11 West Hatch High School students Ela Reeves, James Scollan and Lorena Pipenco recently organised a Quiz Night for school staff to raise money for the school’s Borneo Expedition 2017.

There were nine rounds of questions and a raffle with a variety of prizes.

The quiz was won by Team LesQuizerbles who received certificates and chocolates as their prize.

Each of the students took on different organising roles for the evening.

Ela said: “Overall I believe the evening was great fun and a huge achievement as we raised a lot of money. Thank you to all the team members who participated.”

Meanwhile PE teacher Lizzie Edwards is in training for the London Marathon when she will be running for the charity Barnardo’s.

She has set herself a target of £1,800.

She said: “With your help I can do that and together we can help change the lives of so many young children here in the UK. “By donating, you will be helping the most vulnerable children who may be being abused, forgotten or neglected.”

To add your support, go to her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/ Elizabeth-Edwards9/

April. At both events, the team will be on hand providing pre and post sports injury treatment and sports massage where ALL donations go to charity. If you are training for any sporting events and would like any sports injury advice, get in touch with the team!

SV Sports Therapy will be open 6 days per week including evenings and weekends throughout their 3 clinic sites.

Lizzie Tel: 07904 116757 Edwards www.svsportstherapy.com

ESSEX CENTRAL

13

VILLAGERS GIVEN THREE WEEKS TO COMMIT TO NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Villagers in North Weald, Thornwood Common and Hastingwood have been given three weeks to decide whether to commit their time to working on a Neighbourhood Plan.

North Weald Bassett Parish Council will then decide whether there is sufficient community support to proceed with creating a plan.

More than 40 residents and 11 members of the parish council attended a public meeting held by the parish council to highlight the idea of the Plan which can ensure local people have a say over new development and community infrastructure in their community.

Clerk to the Council Susan De Luca said that a Neighbourhood Plan must actively promote development and must be community-led.

The council’s Principal Financial & Administrative Officer, Adriana Jones, said: “It’s a powerful tool which affords the community an element of control in terms of what happens in their community with regards to land use.”

She stressed that a Neighbourhood Plan cannot stop development and must not be in conflict with Epping Forest District

Council’s Local Plan and national planning policies.

Residents and local community groups would be involved with the Plan, along with the district council, local land owners and developers, and anyone with a potential interest.

The parish council needs to increase awareness and build up local

contacts, and get the community on board if a Neighbourhood Plan is to get off the ground.

Local people are needed to form a steering group which will lead the work with support from the parish council.

The Designated Neighbourhood

MP WELCOMES LAUNCH OF PARK HOMES HELPLINE

A new telephone helpline for the residents of Park Homes has been welcomed by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing.

The helpline - 020 3846 6601 - offers advice on all matters relating to Park Home living.

The Epping Forest area has Park Homes at Breach Barns, Galley Hill, Waltham Abbey, and Woodbine Close in Waltham Abbey.

Mrs Laing said: “I want to pay tribute to Dame Annette Brook, the former Liberal Democrat MP, who has worked hard on this issue for many years and to Sonia McColl OBE who leads the Park Home Owners Justice Campaign for all they have done in setting up this excellent initiative.”

Eleanor Laing (far left ) at the Further information about the Park Homes Helpline launch helpline can be found at www.park-help-line.co.uk

14

ESSEX CENTRAL

Area consists of most of the Parish of North Weald Bassett, with the exception of an area west of Thornwood Road, between Rye Hill Road and the M11 roundabout, which includes Latton Priory.

Mrs Jones said: “The Parish is three villages - North Weald, Thornwood Common and Hastingwood - and there are over 7,000 residents.

“You (the 40-plus people at the meeting together with a very few who sent their apologies) are the only people who have come forward and said ‘we should do it’.

“This is not enough. It takes community involvement.”

Not having a plan means the Parish and its residents would miss an opportunity to have a great degree of control over future development.

Mrs De Luca said: “At North Weald Parish Council we always like to ensure our residents have as much control as they can about the future of where they live, and I believe that is what we are trying to do with the Neighbourhood Plan.”

Expressions of interest from people willing to commit their time to working on a Neighbourhood Plan should be with the parish council by Monday, March 7.

LOCAL NEWS BEST FRIENDS LAUNCH FUN PHOTO BOOTH BUSINESS

Kay Ranu and Mani Kaur are two young women from Essex and East London, who have been best friends since the age of 10. Over the years they have enjoyed spending time together, had a lot of fun and memories and always took pictures! They decided that the best

way to re-experience their love, friendship and journey together was best expressed with memories through pictures and decided to turn this into a business and help people share the same experience by offering memorabilia whilst having fun.

Last year Kay and Mani launched Foto Fame, the new stylish way forward for photo booths. They are a unique photo booth company that operates from within an iconic London taxi!

Mani said, “On a great night out, you always remember the taxi ride! So we put together the perfect night out with the new age taxi photo booth for the ultimate selfie experience. Whether it be a wedding, festive party, school prom, or even a 50th birthday bash, Foto Fame is the ideal fun factor to add to any occasion. We offer exclusive and bespoke packages from as little as £300, which includes unlimited prints and can also offer a pick and mix sweet table, guest books, personalised branding and themed props.”

Please visit the website for more information and keep updated on twitter for discount offers and promotions. www.fotofame.co.uk @FameFoto

SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR LOCAL PRINTING COMPANY

Mega Media Printing opened in Barkingside High Street in May 2015. They are now approaching their first anniversary and look forward to celebrating a successful year in business.

Mega Media is a photographic and digital printing shop that offer a wide range of services. They have specialist photographers, with vast experience of taking passport pictures for adults and children from new born age. They offer a

digital photo printing service from any camera or phone and can also reproduce a picture from another picture even if it needs some restoration.

They do personalised photo gifts for any occasion e.g. weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and many more.

The list of gift products which can be personalised is extensive, but includes, mug printing, T-shirt printing, canvases, posters, pillow cases,

jigsaws, calendars, snow globes and made to measure photo frames.

Their digital printing services include business cards, flyers/ leaflets, booklets, brochures, invitation cards (for birthday, wedding, anniversary etc), letterheads, banners and more and also offer an in-house design service for all those printing needs.

Mega Media Printing can be found at 10 High Street, Barkingside, Ilford IG6 2DF

ESSEX CENTRAL

15

LOCAL NEWS

King Harold Academy students at the Girls in STEM event

KING HAROLD ACADEMY STUDENTS ATTEND GIRLS IN STEM EVENT IN LONDON

Nine Year 9 girls at King Harold Academy, Waltham Abbey, attended the Girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) event organised and sponsored

by Accenture UK at the Royal Institute, London.

Tasked with designing a belt buckle using 3D software, Rosie Seddon won second prize - an iPod shuffle - for innovation and creativity while Amy Vallance won the programming prize - an Asus tablet for the fastest code breaker!

The event was a great opportunity for the girls to experience different aspects of STEM and see how women can be a huge asset within the organisations.

The day featured speeches from CEOs, engineers,

marketing executives - all of whom were women who worked for world renowned organisations - and MPs. The girls were encouraged to develop their communication skills by working with girls from other schools in various workshops.

This enabled them to talk about their experiences and think about where they saw themselves in the future working within STEM. Harmy Juttla, King Harold Academy’s Curriculum Team Leader for Computer Science and Business Studies, said: “It was a highly motivational and inspirational day for all the girls who attended from King Harold Academy.”

CHIGWELL SCHOOL STAFF PANTOMIME RAISES £2,500 Chigwell School staff helped raise £2,500 when they staged the latest staff pantomime.

The tenth biannual staff pantomime was directed by Sixth Form Drama Scholars Will Weightman and Barney Walsh.

16

ESSEX CENTRAL

This year’s performance of Peter Pan featured a 16-strong cast of staff - including teachers and support staff - who provided songs, dance and slapstick comedy to two full houses.

The money will be split between Save the Children and the Timothy

Pruss Memorial School in India, which is supported by Chigwell School.

Barney said: “The panto was an undeniable success, not only due to the laughs but also due to both nights being sold out.”

Call us now: 01375 767997

UNHAPPY PEOPLE IN A HAPPY WORLD Don’t suffer in silence - help is at hand!

The World Health Organisation has predicted that by 2020, depression will be at epidemic levels worldwide, closely followed by chronic anxiety and loneliness. That’s strange when you consider that many Western Nations today including the UK have never enjoyed so much wealth, health and leisure time, compared with the developing world. We have so much ‘choice’ and are almost unbelievably affluent. And yet we are not happy, at least not in proportion to what we have and own.

According to one survey the UK has some of the worst road rage in the world, 64% of workers have experienced office rage, 71% of internet users suffer net rage and one in four families experience TV remote rage. ‘Shopaholicism’ is now a

recognised addiction. The psychologist Oliver James has popularised the term ‘affluenza’ for infectious over-consumption. Symptoms include high debt, over work, the inability to delay gratification, obsessive behaviours and stress.

It has never been so obvious that the cause of our unhappiness today is to do with the effects that modern living has on our minds. If we want to be happy - if we want to avoid road rage, running up massive credit card bills or succumbing to anxiety and depression - we need to pay more attention to our minds.

Everything we experience, we experience through the mind our relationships with other people, our perceptions of the world, our work life, love life and home life. It is our states of mind that make life interesting or boring, enjoyable or depressing, meaningful of futile. Understanding and cultivating our minds is therefore - the key to happiness.

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND COUPLES Treatment for • Depression • Anxiety • Stress • Addictions • OCD • Anger • Low self-esteem • Couples and more...

Contact Dougie in confidence: Mob: 07792 128 681 (9am – 9pm) E: robertson_d@btinternet.com www.counsellinginE18.co.uk

MBACP (Accred) UKRCP registered & fully insured

ESSEX CENTRAL

17

Taxi & Chauffeur Service Based in Loughton, Archies cars offers an affordable yet luxury taxi service across Essex and London 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Your journey with us when you book a taxi with Archies cars we will call you when your taxi has arrived and you also have the option for us to text the vehicle details to you if desired.

Our drivers- Every driver at Archies cars has been CRB- checked and Epping forest district/Hackney carriage licensed. Our drivers are friendly, professional and reliable and work hard to make sure your journey is not only comfortable and clean but on time and at the best rates!

Areas covered Loughton, Woodford, Abridge, Epping, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Chingford, Debden, North Weald, Theydon Bois, Upshire, Ongar, Waltham Abbey.

Call 0208 270 0000 Download “Archies Cars” from the App Store.

18

ESSEX CENTRAL

www.archiescars.co.uk

Essex Police and DogLost team up to celebrate a year of working together

E

ssex Police recently teamed up with voluntary organisation DogLost for a special event at Chelmsford HQ to celebrate one year of working together, helping to reunite stolen dogs with their owners.

DogLost is a free online service that offers advice and assists members of the public in the search for their missing four legged friends.

As well as spreading the word and actively looking for missing dogs, the organisation’s website is updated with sightings or information which can be passed on to police.

You may remember reading a story earlier in the year about Monty, a cancer detecting bull terrier, who was reported as missing whilst out for a walk with his owner in Buckhurst Hill.

As months passed without any sightings, the owner took to the DogLost website to post pictures of the beloved pet. Thanks to information received from the website, officers in Colchester were able to find Monty and reunite him with his grateful owner.

Tina Pavelin said: “Monty is just one of the many success stories from our first year of working together with DogLost. Essex Police is delighted to have contributed towards reuniting dogs with their owners PCs Phil Robinson (left) and solving crimes by acting upon intelligence supplied (right) with Mr Kelly and and Joe Self Monty.

by DogLost.”

RJS Lofts is a family-run, well-established company with years of experience and knowledge, specialising in the construction of loft conversions and home extensions.

We also undertake: home structural changes space conversions staircasing plastering flooring interior adjustments & decorations

Visit our website for more info or call us to discuss your requirements

www. rjslofts.com

info@rjslofts.com

07875 599762 020 3536 3319 ESSEX CENTRAL

19

FUN EASTER

Eggtastic activities to entertain the kids during the school holidays ACTIVITY CAMPS

Barracudas, the UK’s No1 children’s activity camp offers peace of mind for working parents during the Easter and summer holidays.

They have been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted more times and more consistently than any other activity day camp provider and because they’re registered with Ofsted you have the added bonus of using your childcare vouchers as payment! They have the best staff to child ratios for any comparable provider and also offer extended hours from 8am-6pm.

They operate at over 35 locations and have Easter camps running at Chigwell School and Woodford County High School from 29th March to 8th April. With action packed programmes for 4.5-16 year olds, and choice of varied activities including archery, swimming, fencing, motor sports, arts & crafts, dance & drama they have plenty to keep your children entertained! As well as all the above activities they have fantastic roaming equipment that visits camps including a bungee run and giant inflatable assault course.

The popular camps sell out fast, to secure your child’s place call 0845 123 5299 or visit www. barracudas.co.uk for more information and summer dates.

20

ESSEX CENTRAL

thi

CHOCOLATE CRAFTS

Making your own Easter eggs is a great activity for rainy days and easier than you might think.

You will need: H Easter egg moulds H Pastry brush/paint brush H 200g good quality chocolate H Chocolate/sweets to decorate

minutes to set.

5. Re-warm the remaining chocolate and repeat steps 1-4 again to form a second layer.

Reserve a small amount of the chocolate to use later.

6. Once set, use a knife to scrape any excess chocolate from the outside of the moulds to leave a smooth edge.

7. Carefully remove each half from the moulds. Fill one half with sweets.

8. Melt the remaining chocolate and use it to stick the 2 halves together. Leave in a cool place to set fully.

9. Decorate with your choice of chocolates, sweets, sprinkles or edible glitter using a little melted chocolate as the glue.

1. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water.

2. Take off the heat and allow to cool (but still remain runny).

3. Spoon a quarter of the chocolate into each half of the egg moulds and spread evenly and thickly using the brush to cover the moulds.

4. Place in the fridge for 5

y is wa EGG HUNTS

Head outdoors into the spring sunshine and hunt down some tasty treats left behind by the Easter Bunny!

There are a variety of egg hunts being organised locally this Easter weekend.

On Sunday 27th March Copped Hall in Epping and The

Gibberd Garden in Harlow both have egg hunts arranged, which will also allow you to see the wonderful spring flowers that have appeared this month.

From Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th March you can visit the egg trail at Valentines Mansion and Gardens and also participate in

Easter crafts on the Monday whilst Epping Ongar Railway’s beloved Bertie Bunny will be leading what is probably the longest Easter egg hunt in Essex. It will run the length of the railway track from Ongar through to Coopersale, which is the length of 131,579 eggs placed end to end! Children will be asked to find the eggs which have been hidden by Bertie around the Railway. They will have some clues to help them and any child who completes their egg sheet is entitled to a special Easter prize.

In addition there will be ‘The Bunny Hop’ - Bertie’s special children’s disco and face painting (additional charge applies). A great day out for the family!

For more information and prices visit: thegibberdgarden. co.uk, valentines mansion.com, coppedhalltrust. org.uk, eorailway. co.uk.

ESSEX CENTRAL

21

INVITATION TO SAVE THE DATE: 21ST MARCH 2016

Victor Garcia Celebrity Chef at Table 7

Invites you to discover a revolutionary New Food Preparation Service launChInG sprInG 2016 aT TablE 7 This nutritionally balanced meal service provides the benefit of a calorie controlled diet plan combined with the indulgence of gourmet chef prepped meals conveniently delivered to you to be enjoyed at home.

For further information and to book your place at the tasting event please contact e: eloise@nichepublicrelations.com | t: 07971 032 570

21st March 2016 Table 7 Tasting Event Complimentary Invitation for 2 You & Your Guest

Are invited to a complimentary Tasting event with Victor Garcia Celebrity & Head Chef at Table 7, Church View Buildings, The Green, Chingford, London E4 7EL tel: 020 8524 8438 where he will be unveiling his new meal plan service

RSVP

Tastin Eventg

To book your place at the tasting event please provide your name, email & telephone number contact e: eloise@nichepublicrelations.com | t: 07971 032 570

22 

ESSEX CENTRAL

020 8524 8438 The Green, Chingford, London E4 7EL Table7@hotmail.co.uk

Now taking bookings for Mother’s Day

Rat Pack tribute act singing live from 4:30pm

Monday to Friday 2 for 1!

OPENING TIMES

Monday to Friday 5pm-11pm Saturday 12pm-11pm

facebook.com/tableseven.seven

@table7e4

Sunday 12pm-6pm

Table7@hotmail.co.uk ESSEX CENTRAL

23

SPA WEEKEND

We visited Down Hall Country House Hotel to see their newly refurbished rooms and try out their luxury spa facilities.

O

riginally developed nearly 800 years ago Down Hall Country House Hotel has seen many changes throughout the ages and the modern day building stays true to its historical roots, such as an engraving of “Ibbertson” on the front facade, one of the main families to have owned the building, along with the “Selwins”. These days the grand country house plays host to an exquisite hotel and spa with no expense spared on creating the perfect experience for its visitors.

24

ESSEX CENTRAL

After winding your way up the long driveway through the grounds towards the hotel you are greeted by the magnificent sight of Down Hall in all its glory surrounded by acres of landscaped gardens, woodland and parkland. Inside it’s everything you would expect from a country house hotel of this stature with sparkling chandeliers, open fires, ornate ballrooms and the finest service from attentive staff, making it a popular choice for weddings, romantic getaways and special occasions.

Executive Room

ROOMS

The hotel is currently undergoing a full renovation of all the bedrooms and communal spaces, with half of the 100 bedrooms being complete at present. We were told that they expect the rest of the works to be finished by this summer.

We were shown to our room, which we were delighted to see was an Executive Room in the refurbished part of the hotel.

The room was spacious, beautifully decorated and boasted a super king size bed, chandelier above the bed and views over the grounds. The luxury bathroom was well appointed and very clean. The room felt modern, whilst still retaining the traditional feel of the hotel.

We immediately felt relaxed and looked forward to trying out the facilities that Down Hall has to offer.

knew we would get attentive and speedy service, which was very welcome.

The contemporary British menu is reasonably priced, with a set price for 3 courses of £32.50 or £25.95 for 2 courses.

The food was very tasty and nicely presented, however we did feel the portions were a little on the small side (compared to other fine dining restaurants we have visited), perfect for a special occasion, but maybe not if you have a large appetite.

Breakfast is also served in The Grill Room, which was a lot busier for this service. There was a choice of Full English or Continental Breakfasts, both of which were served buffet style in the centre of the room. We both opted for the Full English and enjoyed the food very much, the sausages were particularly moreish!

Double treatment room

EDEN SPA

Eden Spa

FACILITIES

We decided to take a look at the gym area, it’s small but has everything you need, and better still it’s practically empty as most people staying at the hotel are there for weddings or business meetings with little time for a workout. We had the gym to ourselves and the adjacent steam room and sauna, it was bliss!

Again everything was sparkling clean and maintained to the highest standard.

If a gym session isn’t for you then maybe a stroll through the beautiful grounds, with a picnic supplied by the hotel would suit better. There are also tennis courts and outdoor games are available too.

DINING

After a stroll through the grounds we were ready for diner, and headed to ‘The Grill Room’ restaurant.

We were one of only 4 couples dining in the restaurant that evening, as most of the guests were attending a wedding taking place in the Ballroom, so we

The Eden Spa is a new addition to the hotel, being completed just last year.

We booked in for a Full Body Swedish Massage and Aromatherapy Massage, then a session in the spa pool. The treatment rooms are luxurious and relaxing, with dimmed lights, soft music playing and comfy treatment couches.

We were in the double treatment room, which was a nice touch and great for couples enjoying a romantic getaway. The massages were amazing, very relaxing and the perfect way to end our break.

The brand new spa is very impressive, with rainforest showers, steam room, sauna and a jet whirl pool that completely sooths away all those aches and pains, it is well worth a visit even if you are not staying at the hotel.

Down Hall is a beautiful historic venue, with all the modern touches and comforts you need and the service and facilities are superb. We would fully recommend a weekend trip and use of the spa facilities if you’re looking to treat that special someone or just feel you deserve a relaxing break.

Down Hall Country House Hotel Matching Road, Hatfield Heath, Essex CM22 7AS. Tel: 01279 731441 www.downhall.co.uk

Top: Main lounge Middle: Eden Spa Bottom: State fo the art gym

“Inside it’s everything you would expect from a countr y house of this stature” ESSEX CENTRAL

25

ABRIDGE INTERIORS

A

bridge Interiors is a locally run family business with over 40 years upholstery experience. Our showroom is in the middle of Abridge, we also have our own local workshop we can make you a brand new sofa, sofabed, corner unit, chairs, stools, headboards in a choice

26 

ESSEX CENTRAL

of fabrics and sizes to suit your requirements. We can also reupholster your existing furniture to look like new in a wide range of fabric or leather.

Customers can now visit us to see our range of so furnishings, mirrors, dressing tables, console tables and much more.

ESSEX CENTRAL

27

28

ESSEX CENTRAL

BEST BESPOKE IS

Why pick someone else’s design when you can create your own?

W

By Devon-Elizabeth Tabersham

Each ring is beautifully crafted to your individual design

hen Manu Bhardwaj was looking for an engagement ring, he searched high and low in countless jewellers and finally decided that in order to create the perfect ring, he would have to design it himself.

Manu’s background in mechanical engineering provided him with the expertise to design the ring he was looking for. Durham Rose, formerly Hot Pink, was founded shortly after his proposal in 2011 when he and his now wife, Pip, recognised a gap in the market for purely bespoke rings.

In 2013 Manu appeared on the BBC show Dragons’ Den to gain investors for Durham Rose. While his endeavour was unsuccessful with the Dragons, Manu says some of the viewers were so impressed with the business model and Durham Rose that they invested in the company.

Due to their unique business model Durham Rose does not require a traditional high street store, therefore they are able to pass these savings on to customers promising ‘more carats for your money’ and offering the perfect ring from £1,000.

Durham Rose welcome customers to schedule a face to face consultation at one of their studios, however the majority of their design consultations take place over the phone utilising innovative 3D technology for a personal experience. By eliminating the pressure of a sales environment and an overwhelming volume of stock for clients to tackle, the process becomes more enjoyable.

Manu or one of his design specialists will e-mail a link to the customer allowing them to see their design specialist’s screen live. The specialist then calls the customer on the phone to discuss the ring. Manu describes that with this

&

FASHION BEAUTY

Manu and Pip Bhardwaj

method, the customer is able to alter every aspect of the ring, exploring each possible design element. Upon satisfaction, this bespoke design is manufactured using a lost wax casting process which ensures that no two rings are ever the same. Durham Rose search worldwide for the perfect stone and ensure that each one is ethically sourced and suitable for the individual.

Manu said that he, like many of his clients, find proposing very daunting.

A lot of questions come to mind such as will my partner like the ring or even will they say yes. Durham Rose found a way around these issues with their proposal ring service. This allows the client to work closely with their dedicated designer to produce a ring in sterling silver and Swarovski gemstones for the purpose of the initial proposal. The couple then come back to create the perfect ring together which may include a few tweaks to the proposal design.

With every ring designed by Durham Rose comes a book detailing the story of the bespoke ring from picture to perfection. This personal touch serves as a precious memento for every happy couple.

At present, Durham Rose have delivered rings to every continent except for Antarctica, although Manu is determined to send one there too.

For more information, visit durhamrose.com.

ESSEX CENTRAL

29

Special

O ccasions

for those unforgettable moments

Award

Winning SALONS SALONS

tikadi IS DESIGNED BY

ONGAR

01277 366775

THEYDON BOIS

01992 815700 www.tikadi.co.uk

info@thechungpartnership.com

30 

ESSEX CENTRAL

&

FASHION BEAUTY

Spring is here and the shops are full of pretty, colourful clothing which make you long for summer holidays. The reality is you head out into the March sunshine in your brand new outfit and find yourself longing for your winter knit and boots!

Accessories are a great way to bridge the gap between seasons and brighten up your look, without having to have a major wardrobe overhaul.

Navy S ue

t £18 Ha

det te

ry Ve

ACCESSORISE ALL AREAS

Accessorize

White S ce £25 t

f uf

Update your look with these 10 springtime staples

Gold Pla ted Em

k Watch £18 Za Loo lan do

ra

Flo

Miu Miu Sunglasses £216 Sunglasses Shop These fabulous sunglasses are sure to make you stand out from the crowd with their quirky round design These sandals from River and sparkly embellishment.

Island are bang on trend and the colourful tassels g n i £ R 3 9.9 ed 9T will add interest to your llish e b spring ensembles.

x ax M

w Ne

Embellished Clutch £15 F&F at Tesco

K

Mix Shape Hair Clips £7.50 Topshop

This pretty necklace will really pull a drab winter outfit into the new season.

Match the colour of your bag or shoes to one of the flowers and keep the rest of your outfit simple.

This floral scarf is the perfect spring accessory. Not only does it look stylish and summery but it will also keep you warm on breezy days and the pom poms will add a playful edge to your look.

HS Pom Scarf £12 B m o lP

o D ec

er N Flow

eckla

Nalah Belt £19 Dune

River Island Sandals £45 Zalando

ESSEX CENTRAL

31

SIZORSISTA

...but just a minute away!

Come and visit our new loca�on above Epping Barbers, just pop down the alley next to Bou�que Essex on Epping High St

! "#) &$ "# ) " ) ( #$ ! ') ) #(%) & ) ) (('$ ) ! ') ) #(%) & ) ) &( )

& "' ' ! ') ) #(%) & ) )

32 

ESSEX ) )))%%% $ (&$ $'" !( CENTRAL

NAIL IT

&

FASHION BEAUTY

TOP 3 NAIL TRENDS FOR 2016 What look will you choose?

t

Nail superfoods Nailsinc Overnight Detox Mask and Nailsinc Nail Grow Debenhams, Butter London Tinted Moisturizer butterlondon.com, Sally Hanson Complete Care Boots.

BALLERINA SUPERFOOD NAIL CARE Introducing skincare for nails, NAILS

Make way Kim Kardashian! We have yet another beauty trend we can thank Kylie Jenner for - Ballerina Nails. These nails are shaped long and sharp but as they are squarer than the popular ‘stiletto’ shape, they’re easier to maintain. We also know them as ‘coffin’ nails because of the shape.

Although they’ve been around for a while, we are forecasting ballerina nails as the biggest nail trend for 2016. You will need to visit a beauty or nail salon to achieve this look as it’s created with acrylic or gel.

Matte finishes look really chic with this shape nail as well as nude and dark polishes.

a first for the nail industry. Last year brands like Ciate launched a toner, serum and overnight mask for nails and this year it comes supercharged with superfoods. Nails Inc has just launched a regenerative Overnight Detox Mask with green tea, acai and spirulina and also a Nail Grow treatment powered by matcha green tea.

Following skincare for nails we start to see makeup for nails! You’ve heard it all now right? While Orly got in on the act early with its BB Crème, the new generation comes courtesy of Butter London with its Nail Tinted Moisturizers. Free of nasties and formulated with vitamin E the polishes lock in moisture and deliver a hint of tint to complement your skin tone.

OVER THE NAIL EMBELLISHMENT

If the natural look isn’t your thing, then this trend will surely be right up your street. We predict that using lots of nail accessories to go over and off the free edge of your nail is probably the most out there kind of nail embellishment.

Almost like jewellery for your nails, dangling jewels, chains and serious 3D texture were seen on the catwalks. Team up with lots of hand jewellery and you are good to go.

Practicality? Zero. On trend? Totally.

By Amanda Anastasiou If you would like to have your hair, nails or make-up done by Amanda, Amanda please visit www. finessesalon.co.uk Anastasiou

ESSEX CENTRAL

33

Five reasons to see a

dentist

1. Good dental care keeps

teeth strong and healthy.

2. Dental problems can quickly lead to issues with general health.

3. A good dentist

will spot early warning signs of periodontal disease or even mouth cancer.

4. You will benefit from the most up-to-date advice on caring for your teeth.

5. A fresh, healthy-

looking smile is always attractive.

It shows the world you take pride in yourself.

34 

ESSEX CENTRAL

But why Woodford House ?

It’s quite simple.

At Woodford House, YOU come first.

We are an established, experienced and ethical team offering comprehensive dental care tailored to your specific needs. We offer Saturday and evening appointments in addition to those in normal clinic hours.

E N J OY

F F O % 50 pointment at

st ap your fir House . d r fo d o Wo 16 uote EC q e s a le P k. ou boo when y

Contact us to arrange a New Patient Dental Examination for only £50 (normally £100). We’d like to offer you the most thorough dental check you have ever had.

020 8504 2704

info@improveyoursmile.co.uk

…It’s all about

you.

Woodford House Dental Practice 162 High Road Woodford Green IG8 9EF

020 8504 2704

www.improveyoursmile.co.uk

WOODFORD HOUSE

35 DENTAL PRACTICE

ESSEX CENTRAL

Sports Injury Clinic and Massage Specialists At SV Sports Therapy we are 100% committed to the success of our clients. Specialising in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of injuries, everyone is treated with a personal and unique approach. Our clients range from GB Olympic athletes to the casual ‘gym goer’ - our aim is to get you back to full fitness as soon as possible using our multidisciplinary approach.

SV Sports Therapy can help with: • • • • • •

SPECIAL OFFER!

50% OFF FIRST SESSION QUOTE THIS ADVERTISEMENT

Muscle injuries – muscle and tendon strains (Terms and Conditions apply, Joint pain – ligament sprains, meniscal injuries, arthritis subject to availability) Back and neck pain – sciatica, disc injuries Pre and post operative rehabilitation – joint replacements, arthroscopies Adolescent sporting injuries – Sever’s disease, Osgood Schlatters disease We also specialise in Sports Massage and this can have a huge benefit to you, especially if you regularly train or training for a marathon or event.

Sports massage can also help somebody who is suffering from tight muscles caused through stress, poor posture or lack of flexibility Contact us to find out more!

Sophie Vowden BSc (Hons) Sports Therapist and Team Casablanca Unit 40b Oakwood Hill Industrial Estate Loughton The Limes Medical Centre Epping ● Station Road Wellness Centre Epping T: 07904 116 757 ● reception@svsportstherapy.com ● www.svsportstherapy.com

36

ESSEX CENTRAL

H E A LT H

A

&

MARATHON TRAINING FITNESS

re you currently training for the London Marathon, Brighton Marathon, or another endurance event? Are you starting to struggle with tired legs, aching calf muscles and sore knees? SV Sports Therapy is here to help and support you! SV Sports Therapy Clinic based in Epping and Loughton are the only official 2016 London Marathon clinic in Essex. We specialise in treating sports injuries and especially running injuries. Here are our top marathon training tips:

Avoid injury with this advice from Sophie Vowden from SV Sports Therapy

1

Are you struggling with knee pain? Most knee pain arises from either a repetitive injury i.e. your knee bending and straightening thousands of times over the course of a run, causing ITB pain or patella (kneecap) pain, or due to past trauma to the knee i.e. wear and tear in the cartilage. To help your knee pain, try increasing your cadence. Cadence is how many steps you take per minute. Often when we have a low cadence of 150-160 steps per minute, it causes the knee extreme force and aggravates the structures in the knee. The optimum cadence is 180 steps per minute. To find out your cadence, during your next run in the middle of your run once you are warmed up, count how many steps you take in 15 seconds and multiply this by 4. Then repeat this again on your next run and then calculate an average. If your cadence is below 180 steps per minute, you want to start self-teaching by taking shorter strides and a higher turnover in steps. This doesn’t and shouldn’t mean you are going faster.

Improving your cadence takes time and practice. Stick with it and you should notice some improvement with your painful symptoms.

2

Are your legs feeling sore, tight and heavy after your long runs? As we get older we tend to blame age and our body’s inability to recover as quick as we did

Dawn Elliot

10-20 years ago. But we shouldn’t be so flippant and dishonest to our bodies! What is your recovery strategy? At SV Sports Therapy we are huge advocates for a sound recovery regime. After your long runs we advise you have a quick shower to clean yourself, dry off, then put a jumper on, hat if you would like as well and then sit in the bath tub with the plug secure. Start running the cold tap and let the cold water rise until it reaches your thighs. So your upper body is dry and warm with your jumper on and your legs are sitting in cold water, enhancing the recovery process of endurance training stress. Of

Natalie Valiquette

course, if you are brave and willing enough, immerse your whole body and add some ice cubes in the bath. Try and sit for 5 minutes and then increase this by 1 minute every time you have a cold bath after your long runs i.e. once a week, aiming for 15 minutes. Cryotherapy (cold water treatment) has been shown to help recovery to the muscles after endurance training. After all, you need optimum recovery ready for next week’s run programme!

For more sports injury advice, please contact Sophie at sophie@svsportstherapy.com, 07904 116757, www.svsportstherapy.com

ESSEX CENTRAL

37

Try for free

before joining!

Loughton, Epping, Chigwell and throughout essex EBC is a proven out door fitness initiative, empowering and educating its members towards their fitness and practical objectives.

450+

sessions

“Mind set is absolute and the key to achieving your goals, in fitness as in day to day life”

www.essexbootcamp.co.uk

jon@essexbootcamp.co.uk 07950 743994 Plain and simple, fitness!

Eppin Epping g Spor Sports ts Centre Centre

01992 564564

Lought Loughton on Leisure Leisure Centr Centre re

01992 564574

On Ongar gar Leisur Leisure e Centr Centre e

01277 363969

GET ACTIVE ACTIVE C & FEEL BETTER FOR IT KICKSTART KICKST AR RT YOUR YOUR ACTIVITY ACTIVITY WITH A

NO CONTRACT, CONTRACT T, MONEY-SAVING MONEY Y--SA AVING V MEMBERSHIP FANTASTIC gyms with latest equipment uipmen GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES

£1.39 £1.3 plus!

PER DAY DAY A ** PER DAY

UNLIMITED use of our online platform platf atffor o m including: including: training plans, plans, video classes classes and workouts work rko outs ...AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

38

i

S

t C

t

ESSEX CENTRAL

W llth th

01992 716733

MEMBERSHIPS MEMB THAN FOR NO MORE M

SWIMMING POOLS

E

Waltham W al a tham Abbey Abbey Swimming Pool Swimmin gP ool

Abb Abb

JOIN NOW!

DOWNLOAD OUR NEW APP AND RECEIVE A FREE 5 DAY GUEST PASS!

Everyone Active manages these sites on behalf of Epping Forest District Council. * Terms apply.

precise angles to gradually draw apart the vertebrae surrounding a targeted disc.

I suffered with excruciating back pain and sciatica for years.

After IDD Therapy I can now get a good night’s sleep without constantly waking with the pain.

I would recommend it to anyone who is suffering like I did.

IDD patient, Dominyk Mackevic

NOW AVAILABLE

Over 36,000 treatments carried out in the UK

IN WOODFORD

BE FREE FROM BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA AT LAST

SUFFERING WITH BACK PAIN? TRIED MANUAL TREATMENTS? IDD THERAPY IS FOR YOU. IDD Therapy is the targeted disc treatment for sufferers of back pain, neck pain and related symptoms such as sciatica.

In clinics nationwide, this non-invasive option helps to bridge the gap between ‘hands-on’ treatments and surgery.

What is IDD Therapy?

Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Therapy is a non-invasive, targeted disc treatment for unresolved back pain, neck pain and associated symptoms such as arm pain and leg pain (sciatica).

Available through a network of spinal disc specialists across the UK, IDD Therapy delivers a precise and more consistent treatment than is possible with the hands alone or with traditional mechanical methods like traction.

What does the programme involve?

You will be fully assessed before undergoing treatment; this includes a review of a recent MRI or suitable scan.

How does IDD Therapy work?

IDD Therapy uses gentle pulling forces to distract (draw apart) specific spinal segments where discs are damaged or bulging, removing pressure and irritation from targeted discs and any trapped nerves.

Patients have a structured programme of regular IDD Therapy sessions which allows their body to adapt to treatment whilst progressively relieving pain and improving movement.

Treatment is gentle and safe. Sessions begin with some Thermedic heat therapy on the area to be treated, warming up the muscles and ligaments.

You will remain fully clothed throughout treatment and be fitted with a soft, ergonomic harness for comfort and support. The machine tilts upright, allowing you to step on from the standing position without pain or difficulty.

Once you are comfortably harnessed, computer-controlled pulling forces are gently applied at

DISC C L I N I C

In the past, slipped disc patients often had to consider invasive options if manual treatments couldn’t get them better. Now with IDD Therapy, these patients have a very good chance of becoming pain-free

You will feel totally relaxed during the 25 minute session on the SPINA machine. Afterwards, some cold therapy is applied to minimise any temporary soreness which may be caused by muscles being worked in a new way.

Gentle exercise and activity are gradually introduced as treatment progresses - essential for long-term pain relief.

Who can benefit from IDD Therapy?

Typical candidates for IDD Therapy are people who have had back pain, neck pain or sciatica for some time and have not responded to manual therapy and exercise.

Reasons to choose IDD Therapy • Your current treatment is not working • You want to stop taking painkillers • You are seeking long-term pain relief • You want to return to normal activities If you have unresolved back pain or neck pain and need help, call Atkins Physiotherapy Consultants on 020 8504 0478 or visit: www.AtkinsPhysio.com

Neil Velleman Clinical Director, Atkins Physiotherapy Consultants

154 High Road Woodford Green, IG8 9EF *Spinal Disc Specialists* Friendly, Personal Approach* * *On-site Parking Available*

IF YOU ARE SUFFERING WITH UNRESOLVED BACK PAIN, NECK PAIN OR SCIATICA, CONTACT ATKINS PHYSIOTHERAPY CONSULTANTS NOW

FREE 15 min Consultation Call 020 8504 0478 or visit www.AtkinsPhysio.com ESSEX CENTRAL 39

ARE YOU SITTING

COMFORTABLY?

N

o matter what your budget is, a sofa will always be a big investment, but get it right and it’ll be one that’ll pay dividends for years to come. Unlike accessories and homewares which will naturally change from season to season, a sofa will need to act as a corner stone to any décor scheme.

SIZE

When it comes to choosing a size, you’ll need to consider how many people you’ll be looking to seat as well as the dimensions of your room. Measure up the space carefully, allowing for a small gap at either end and accounting for any other furniture you’ll be adding in, such as lamp or side tables.

40

ESSEX CENTRAL

How to buy your perfect sofa

A large sofa squeezed into a small space will only serve to make the space look smaller so if you’re looking to seat a larger number, consider opting for a slightly more compact model and matching it with an armchair or snuggler.

As well as the width and length of your space, don’t forget to consider its height; high-backed sofas will complement lofty rooms, while those with lower backs will help to create an illusion of space when paired with a low ceiling.

SHAPES

The shape of your sofa is one of the most important decisions you’ll make and with so many options available it can often be the hardest.

From backs and seats to legs and

arms, each separate element will play a defining role in the look of the sofa so familiarise yourself with the variety of styles available before you start to browse.

Models with shapely curves, rolled arms and turned legs will sit beautifully in period homes with traditional décor schemes, while those with straight backs, square arms and plinth feet such as the Parker Knoll Leon will be better suited to contemporary homes.

The function of your space should also be taken into account when deciding on styles. For occasional spaces such as drawing rooms or libraries, a fixed or formal back will add a beautifully tailored touch. For oft-used family rooms, pillow-backs will provide a more casual look.

HOME GARDEN

&

Main pic: Amelie Large Two Seater in Giselle Black £1,829. Left: Adele Chair in Plush Charcoal £936 and Juliette Chair in Carrera Heather and Lime £1,142. Below: Isabelle Large Two Seater in Onyx Sage, Large Scatters in Geometric Sage and Mist Natural £1,881

FRAMES & SPRINGS

Amelie Large Two Seater in Plush Charcoal, £1,546

will be placed and how durable The frame and springs will make up 30 you’ll need the fabric to be.

- 40% of an entire sofa, so much of Woven fabrics in darker shades its longevity will be determined here. are great for everyday use as they’re Look for guaranteed frames, made durable and will be less likely to show from the highest quality timbers. any dirt. Decorative fabrics or those Always opt for a sofa with springs in lighter shades can be used to great when possible; without them effect in formal spaces that aren’t they’ll feel flimsy and flat. All our necessarily used on a daily basis. sofas feature high-quality springs, COMFORT ensuring that your comfort levels remain consistent from year to year. No two of us are the same and so a choice about the comfort of FABRIC your sofa will often boil down to From patterns and plains to personal preference. That said, if jacquard weaves and floral prints, you have certain requirements in there are countless fabric options terms of support there are a few that will allow you to tailor your sofa options to consider. to suit your space. While pattern High back sofas and chairs are and colour are important, you’ll also great for those needing additional need to consider where your sofa back support and with reclining

options available, you’ll find it easy to achieve the optimum seating position whilst keeping your back up-right.

For those who need help getting up, models close to the ground or with low arms are perfect.

CUSHIONS

Cushions will also contribute considerably to the comfort of the sofa and the ‘sit’ that you are looking to achieve. Foam fillings will provide a much firmer sit and a more formal appearance, whereas fibre fillings will offer a softer sit and a more casual appearance.

By Donna Bellingham, Commercial Director at Parker Knoll www.parkerknoll.co.uk Tel: 01773 604 121

ESSEX CENTRAL

41

MAGIC MOO INTERIORS www.magicmoo.co.uk facebook.com/magicmoointeriors Make magic everyday with our range of bespoke curtains, blinds, soft furnishings and curtain alterations.

With a great range of quality fabrics, free quotes, friendly advice and a full fitting service, it’s time Magic Moo Interiors brought WOW! to your windows!

Why wait? Contact us today!

07956 388458 0208 279 5951 zoe.magic@yahoo.co.uk

Clean Fresh

Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Super fast drying of all your fabric upholstery

Leather • Suede • Fabric

Carpets Ready for immediate use

No soggy carpets or wet dog smell Dry Carpet Cleaning safe for both children and pets, no inconvenience, no need to remove furniture, no windows open or heating on until dry. All we leave is fresh clean carpets that look great and smell great.

• Removes spills & spots • Remove smells & sanitize • Deep cleans & lifts carpet pile

One day all carpets will be cleaned this way !

42

ESSEX CENTRAL

Tel: 01708 918 120 www.zerodrytime.com

140 Hermon Hill, South Woodford, London, E18 1QH Phone: 0208 530 7555 Fax: 0208 530 8844 621 Garraďż˝ Lane, Wandsworth, London, SW18 4SX Phone: 0208 944 2001

www.theradiatorgallery.com

FREEPHONE 0800 055 6450 group

Abbey Group are specialists in creating, repairing and restoring quality furniture and wood surfaces to the highest standard.

From antique to modern we can repair, strip, re-spray, polish, wax, upholster and bring woodwork back to life.

before

during

after

We take great pride in our work and clients appreciate our care and attention to detail.

We think you will too.

01708 741135

Free quotations and no carriage charges with this advert.

ABAN609_90x128.5_network_ad.indd 1

abbey-group.net ESSEX CENTRAL 

43

17/01/2012 16:40

LKZ-948-22018-Barnet-152x110-L-from15-12feb16-LAWN.pdf

EPPING LANDCAPES Artificial Grass Perfect Lawn all year round Agent & Approved Installers from the Grass Factory Grass for all applications Top quality - Good prices FREE - No pressure advice, samples quotations and leaflets All landscaping work carried out Paving, Driveways

Call: 01992 576270 or 07495 984281 Eppinglandscapes@hotmail.co.uk

44 

ESSEX CENTRAL

2

02/02/2016

16:41

HOME GARDEN

&

PESTS AND DISEASE

GARDENING

on Victoria Roberts

T

Spider mites feed on the plant leaf cells of over 200 different plants. These include many flowers, fruits and vegetables. Look out for mottled, yellow leaves with brown speckles these are signs that your plant is infested. Remove and destroy infested leaves because this will initially reduce numbers.

WITH VICTORIA ROBERTSON

A seasonal guide to help you get the most out of your garden.

a sunny window sill or in a green house. By sowing them early it will give them Protect plants a chance to establish before you plant them out with chicken wire at the end of April.

WILDLIFE WATCH If the weather is dry Grey squirrels usually remember to water your breed between January containers and pots and April. They feed on especially if they are in a bulbs, tree shoots, buds, sheltered position. fungi, nuts and roots. Grey squirrels are mostly active NOW IS THE IDEAL TIME TO PRUNE ROSES during the day when you 1 ` Using a sharp pair of secateurs - Cut /4” above outward-facing bud see them foraging for eyes. The bud eyes are also called the bud unions which are the reddish food in trees and on the knobs that are swelling on the canes. Bud eyes are what produce ground. You will often see the rosebush’s branches. Making cuts just above the bud eyes will them visit peanut feeders in help to redirects the plant’s energy to the bud eye so a branch will gardens. Protect the plants emerge. Choose to cut above bud eyes that are facing outwards so in the garden by that the branches grow out, rather than into the center of the rose. using chicken ` Remove the dead canes -These are the black stalks that will no wire, (above). longer produce any new growth. Cut them as close to the base as possible. ` Prune the suckers - These are the new plant shoots that sprout from the ground right next to the rose bush. They are called suckers because they will suck away any nutrients from the older bush and may cause it to become frail and weak. Prune all suckers from their bases.

his month you will begin to notice that the days are staying lighter for slightly longer. This means you are now able to spend a little more time outside in the garden.

March is usually a pretty, flowering, spring month with plenty of late winter

flowering shrubs; Camellia, Rhododendrons, Forsythia, Magnolia and Mahonia and many flowering bulbs too.

Frosts are a hazard so make sure you keep any vulnerable plants protected at night.

Begin sowing your hardy annual seeds indoors on trays and place them on

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

ESSEX CENTRAL

45

Cheesecake was her favourite So guess what we had at her funeral

At GreenAcres we help you take care of the little details for a perfect final goodbye. We also make sure that planning your last requests is easy, simple and affordable.

So when it’s your time, your family has the comfort of knowing that things are just as you wanted them to be.

Your Goodbye, Your Way. To make sure your final goodbye is what you would have wanted, contact us for a copy of our Planning Ahead Brochure. Visit: www.greenacreswoodlandburials.co.uk/epping Tel: 01992 523863 Email: info.epping@greenacreswb.co.uk

46 

ESSEX CENTRAL

ALPINE

TRAVEL THE ALPS

RAILA holiday ADVENTURE like no other

WHAT DOES YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDE?

O

n the northern rim of the Alps, mountain peaks and glacial lakes fill Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland. Within this heavenly area, pretty villages can be found, some only accessible by cable car.

This incredible holiday, based in a top-class hotel, includes excursions to admire some of these isolated dwellings and the impressive scenery that surrounds them, which can simultaneously inspire and daunt with gentle green slopes overlooked by imposing rock faces.

These are balanced with free days to explore at your own pace with the extensive rail and cable car network at your disposal.

It’s been put together by Titan Travel. They refuse to compromise on

steamThe Brienzer Rothorn train eel wh cog d ere pow nd. in the Bernese Oberla View of Lake Brienz.

quality, and ensure that your holiday balances value, peace of mind and that adventurous travel spirit.

That spirit is much in evidence in this Alpine Rail Adventure, which includes multiple excursions and a regional pass giving you unlimited travel, at your own pace, within Bernese Oberland.

No one includes more in the price, led by Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service.

This means that the holiday starts at your front door thanks to a comfortable transfer from your home to the airport and back again. Titan pioneered home transfers many years ago and their service is still streets ahead of the competition with no mileage limits or supplements to pay.

H Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service H Free connecting flights from regional airports H Check-in service by Titan staff with porterage H Services of an experienced Titan tour manager H Scheduled British Airways direct flights H Best available coaches with experienced drivers H Hotel porterage (one bag per person) H Airport taxes, security charges and fuel surcharges H UK Air Passenger Duty ç

ESSEX CENTRAL

47

ç ITINERARY DAY 1 London - Zurich - Grindelwald.

Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof

Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Zurich.

Sit back and enjoy a transfer to Grindelwald and the Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof. Relax into your peaceful surroundings with a welcome drink and dinner this evening.

DAY 2 Grindelwald.

Lake Brienz

Today is for exploration at leisure.

A Bernese Oberland Pass is included to transport you to many outstanding attractions including the impressive Jungfrau Region, Lake Brienz, and several lovely towns.

DAY 3 Brienzer Rothorn.

Paddle steamer across Lake Brienz

Spend today enjoying this beautiful area. The small steam locomotive takes around an hour to push the carriage uphill from Lake Brienz to the summit station on Brienzer Rothorn (2,244m above sea level), but the captivating views make it seem like just minutes, and an

48

ESSEX CENTRAL

incredible view over more than one hundred mountain peaks awaits at the top. On arrival in Brienz, take a paddle steamer across the stunning turquoise glacial waters before a train takes you back to Grindelwald for dinner at the hotel.

of footpaths, 160km of mountain bike trails, waterfalls, alpine lakes and breathtaking panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

DAY 5 Lake Thun.

After breakfast we take a train to DAY 4 Interlaken, with free time to explore Grindelwald. at leisure. With its unique location between two lakes (Lake Thun and Lake Brienz), Interlaken is also in the heart of the magnificent Jungfrau Region and affords views of the world-famous Alps from its main street, the Hoheweg. We cruise from Interlaken to the city of Thun. The narrow lanes of its unique Old Town are presided Lucerne over by the 12th century towers Today is free for you to enjoy at of Thun Castle, now a museum your leisure. You may like to travel of the region’s development over to Lucerne, using your Bernese the last four centuries. Lake Thun Oberland Pass to explore this is a beautiful spot, surrounded by wonderful city, or explore the 500km fabulous mountain scenery dotted

TRAVEL THE ALPS

“Incredible views over more than 100 mountain peaks awaits” with ancient churches. We return to Grindelwald by train.

DAY 6 Grindelwald.

After four days of learning the local transport system, you have another day to explore at leisure, maybe venturing further afield with your Bernese Oberland Pass.

DAY 7 Schilthorn.

The Eiger

Today, take a train to Kleine Scheidegg to witness the awe-

inspiring Eiger.

From this close, the mountain’s imposing north face is just stupendous. Continue to Stechelberg, the starting point of the Schilthorn Cable Car in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It will take you to the Schilthorn, the location of the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, named for the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, some of which was filmed here. There is an exhibition dedicated to the film and the restaurant offers stunning and exhilarating panoramic views.

Returning to the cable car, another journey takes you to Mürren. At 1,650m above sea level, it is the highest continually inhabited village settlement in the canton of Bern and unreachable by road. Take a stroll through this village to the train station to continue our journey back to Grindewald by cable car and train in time for the final dinner together.

Schilthorn cable car

DAY 8 Grindelwald - Zurich - London.

Transfer to the airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Heathrow. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.

DATES AND PRICES 2016

June 6th and 20th £1,699 July 4th and 18th £1,999 September 5th and 19th £1,699 October 3rd £1,599 Single supplement: from £340 Prices are per person. Spaces are limited at these prices, subject to change and will be confirmed upon enquiry.

Abbotts Travel, 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA. Tel: 0208 989 9445 www.abbottstravel.com

ESSEX CENTRAL

49

visits visits our railway railway

The Eppi Epping Ongar ar Railw Railway way is a fantastic, great grreeat value aand accessible essible day out for the family. family.

28 28 and 29 May May

Wee are extremely W remely easy to o get to - our heritage ritage tag buses b ppick youu up fr rom right outside outtside Eppingg Underground U Undergr d ou from on.We We are arre open every every weekend, weekkeendd, Bank Holiday we Holidaay Station. nd Wednesdays Weednesdaays y in the school schhoo hool holidays hho holid olidaays y from fr from m and October.r.

Easter to October

Appea Appearing ring at at iintervals nte t rvals onn

www www.peppapig.com .peppapig .com ©A ABD BD Ltd/Ent. Ltd/Ent. One O ne U UK KL Ltd td 2 2003.

0 03.

Easter Eggg Hunt 25 28 M March 2016 Easter Bunny visit Children's Children's Disco Hop The Bunny Hop Facepainters

50

ESSEX CENTRAL

www.eorailway.co.uk www.eorailway.c . o.uk Epping Ongar Railway

@eorailway

Baby and Toddler First Aid Training

19% of parents have witnessed their child choke and 69% did not know what to do

92% do not think their babysitter knows basic first aid

Fun, informative and professional training delivered in the comfort of your own home by highly experienced Registered Paediatric Nurses Flexible delivery times including evenings and weekends Fixed fee for groups of up to 6 family and friends 2.5 hours training Full certiďŹ cation and First Aid guide included Gain essential First Aid skills that will keep your children safe and give you peace of mind...

To make a booking or for more information please call us

Accidents Happen..

Be Prepared

on 020 8720 6635 or email info@teachhealth.co.uk

ESSEX CENTRAL 

51

Contact us to a requesutre broch y! toda

Your nearest holiday centre , Jubilee Lodge in Chigwell , Essex.

Revitalise provide respite holidays for disabled people and carers  24 hour on-call nursing care in a friendly holiday atmosphere

 Specialised breaks for people with Alzheimers and their carers

 Exciting excursions and fantastic inhouse entertainment

 Three fully accessible centres around the UK

 50+ years experience catering for over 150 conditions

 Carers can come too and take a break from their caring role

 Specially themed weeks

 Help with funding available. Eligibility criteria applies.

Visit revitalise.org.uk Call 0303 303 0145 Email bookings@revitalise.org.uk 52 ESSEX Registered charityCENTRAL no. 295072

COMMUNITY

LOUGHTON ARTS CENTRE The perfect place to pick up an original piece of artwork for the home

T

he Loughton Arts Centre was opened in 2011 at 187b High Road and is part of Lopping Hall. Originally, it was going to be a source of local information on events that were taking place in Loughton. Within two weeks of opening, local people asked to exhibit their paintings. They very quickly grew a waiting list so the space was transformed into a gallery.

The space is dedicated to the visual arts which include, painting and drawing, photography, sculpture, design and illustration.

The exhibition changes fortnightly so that the community can experience the variety and richness of the works on display. It is free of charge which makes it an ideal place to just browse.

Judging by the quality of the work so far, it certainly proves that there is a tremendous amount of talent in the locality. There is obviously a need for the Gallery as they have bookings right up until the end of the year so check the website for details.

They are open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm where friendly and helpful Stewards will be happy to provide you with information about the works on display.

The Centre recently hosted a very successful Christmas Craft Fair which highlighted local artisans and raised funds to support their local arts programme. Splashes of colour lit up the gallery with sumptuous displays of sculpture, jewellery, crochet, hand crafted soaps, ceramics, woodcarving, hand knitting, embroidery, soft sculpture and greetings cards. This proved to be so popular with the community that it will be an annual event, so a definite date for the diary!

January was a very exciting month in the Centre when

local schools were invited to provide artworks by students. Roding Valley High School, Davenant Foundation and the Oak-Tree Group of Schools participated with original displays of rich and diverse work.

Prizes were awarded for the most outstanding works, a very difficult decision, and presented by Loughton Mayor, Judy Jennings.

The enjoyable evening on the 8th February, was attended by pupils, parents, teachers and representatives from the gallery. All agreed that giving young people the opportunity to show their work in an authentic gallery setting was a confidence building experience for all the students taking part.

Loughton Arts Centre has a unique place in Loughton, it enables artists to exhibit their works in a friendly and well organised space.

They try to encourage all artists: professional, aspiring, or just enthusiastic - there is a Summer Exhibition, that is open to everyone.

The people who keep Loughton Arts Centre going are all volunteers and their enthusiasm for this little gallery is commendable. To have such a space in a busy High Road is truly special and everyone involved appreciates how lucky they are to have such a place to enjoy within the community.

Loughton Arts Centre 187b High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 4LF. Tel: 07532 053 194

ESSEX CENTRAL 

53

Established in 2003 and based in Loughton, Essex; Remedy Recruitment Group is proud of our company’s constant growth and the supply of quality staff to local and national clients in the following sectors:

Qualified Social Work | Education-Primary, Secondary and SEN Medical-Nursing and Allied Health | Mental Health We attribute our success and excellent reputation to our hand-picked, inspirational team of consultants who go the extra mile for every client and candidate they come into contact with. If you’re looking for staff or for your next job – whether temporary, permanent, full or part-time, you will find our consultants have the ability to produce results from day one. Our commitment to our relationships with our clients and the quality of our candidates means that we always stand by our mission statement; “A SERVICE OF EXCELLENCE” Call our Consultants on the number below for career advice or assistance with staffing needs. We look forward to working with you.

Would you like a career in recruitment? We are currently seeking talented and experienced consultants. We offer a great working environment and benefits. If you are interested in joining our team, call Remedy today!

0208 418 9441 | www.remedyrecruitmentgroup.co.uk Remedy Recruitment Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Connaught House, 112-120 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 4HJ

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

THE GARNON BUSHES

Tel: 01992 560211

E-mail: info@garnonbushes.co.uk

Live Entertainment

LIVE SINGER - AMBER Saturday 5th March

MOTHERS DAY

– TAKING BOOKINGS NOW! Sunday 6th March

Traditional Family Run Pub

Charity Quiz & Raffle, raising money for Cancer Research

Make sure you try our famous north sea fish and chips, fresh from Grimsby.

EASTER SUNDAY

Warm atmosphere, friendly service and great food

Check out our Facebook page for more info All food served is home cooked and available 7 days a week

54

ESSEX CENTRAL

Sunday 20th March

– COME AND ENJOY A FAMILY ROAST DINNER WITH US!

Saturday 27th March

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Contact me for info or order online: wrapsbyvic@gmail.com www.wrapitwithvictoriagrace.itworkseu.com

ESSEX CENTRAL 

55

WHAT’S ON

ESSEX GET OUT AND ABOUT IN

WHEN: Every Monday, 7.30pm-8.30pm WHAT: Zumba - Burn off those excess calories, tone those wobbly bits and get fit and healthy with my fun Zumba Fitness classes in Barkingside!

The instructor is a professionally qualified Exercise to Music instructor. Includes toning exercises with hand weights. £5 per class.

Contact Elaine 07961 365674.

WHERE: St Francis Community Centre, 144 Fencepiece Road, Barkingside

WHEN: Every Friday, 6pm-8pm WHAT: Hotstepperz Dance Class - Street and Freestyle dancing open to any level, ages 11+. £2 members, £3 non-members.

WHERE: The Jack Carter Centre, The Drive, Ilford IG1 3PS

WHEN: Every Saturday, 10.30am WHAT: Wanstead Place Walk Steady pace, some gentle slopes and uneven terrain.

Allow between 1 - 2 hours.

Enquiries: 020 8708 0954.

WHERE: Entrance of Wanstead Place Surgery, E11 2SW WHEN: Every Wednesday (term time only), 9.30am-10.30am WHAT: Back2Netball - Get back into netball, all abilities welcome.

Ladies aged 16+, £3. For more information contact Lucy Hantson 07854 090628 or email Lucy.hantson@ englandnetball.co.uk WHERE: Redbridge Sports & Leisure Centre, Forest Road, Barkingside IG6 3HD WHEN: Every Thursday, 12noon - 4pm WHAT: Open Thursday Coffee Shop - We have real coffee and interesting biscuits, (or you might fancy toast). All are welcome to stay for 10mins or all afternoon.

50p donation to cover expenses.

WHERE: Gants Hill Methodist Church, 18 Gants Hill Crescent IG2 6TU

56

ESSEX CENTRAL

WHEN: Saturday 5th March, 10am-12.30pm WHAT: Velazquez - An illustrated art history lecture examining the work of one of the great masters. Cost £14 (plus £1 if not a BHCA member). For more details ring 020 8504 6668 or email office@ bedfordhouse.org.uk WHERE: Buckhurst Hill Community Association, Bedford House, Westbury Road, Buckhurst Hill WHEN: Monday 7th March, 7.30pm-9.30pm WHAT: Buckhurst Hill Horticultural Society Winter Talk - Marks Hall - Then and Now. For more information email chairman Maureen Briggs at mbriggs@ uwclub.net or ring 020 8504 8436.

WHERE: St James’ United Reformed Church, Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill

WHEN: Tuesday 8th March, 8pm WHAT: NE London RSPB Group Talk on restoring rivers for wildlife.

Admission £3 for RSPB members, £3.50 for non-members. For more details ring David Littlejohns on 020 8989 4746 or email nelondonrspb@yahoo.co.uk WHERE: St Mary’s Church, 207 High Road, South Woodford

WHEN: Saturday 12th March, 10am-noon WHAT: Nearly New Table Top Sale - New or nearly new children’s clothes, toys and equipment and maternity wear. All Proceeds to Theydon Bois Pre School Group. Sellers pay £16 for a table which they will man themselves; sellers keep all money taken. Buyers pay 50p admission. For more details, email tbpsnearlynewsale@gmail.com WHERE: Scout Hut, Loughton Lane, Theydon Bois WHEN: Saturday 12th March, 7.30pm WHAT: Felicitas Chamber Choir presents: ‘Baroque and Beyond’ Vivaldi - Kyrie, Purcell - My heart is inditing, J S Bach - Der Geist hilft, Rutter - Requiem.

Tickets: £12 (£10 if purchased in advance - free for children & full-time students under 25). To

purchase tickets please visit www. felicitas.org.uk Alternatively: email tickets@ felicitas.org.uk or (no later than two weeks before a concert) send a s.a.e. and cheque payable to Felicitas to: The Ticket Secretary, 87 Malford Grove, South Woodford, London E18 2DH WHERE: St John’s Church, St John’s Road, Epping

WHEN: Saturday 12th March, 10am-3pm WHAT: Willow Weaving Workshop - Construct and take home a willow obelisk support for climbing plants to enhance your garden. No experience necessary, materials provided. Cost £37 (plus £1 if not a BHCA member). For more details ring 020 8504 6668 or email office@bedfordhouse.org.uk WHERE: Buckhurst Hill Community Association, Bedford House, Buckhurst Hill

WHEN: Saturday 12th March, 2.30pm WHAT: National Jazz Archive Concert - With British Jazz Awardwinning pianist and vocalist Liane Carroll accompanied by Roger Carey on bass and Pete Cater on drums, (below). Tickets £15. For details and to book tickets, visit www. nationaljazzarchive.org.uk/events, email events@ nationaljazzarchive. org.uk or ring 020 8502 4701.

WHERE: Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton

WHEN: Monday 14th March, 1.45pm WHAT: West Essex Flower Club Meeting - A demonstration

by Annette Parshotam entitled “Hollywood meets Bollywood”. A warm welcome awaits all. Visitors pay £5.00 on the door.

WHERE: Thornwood Village Hall, Weald Hall Lane, Thornwood WHEN: Saturday 19th March, 10am-3pm WHAT: Watercolour Learning from the Artist, discover the techniques of Emil Nolde and how to use them in your own work. All levels. Cost £27 (plus £1 if not a BHCA member). For more details ring 020 8504 6668 or email office@bedfordhouse.org.uk WHERE: Buckhurst Hill Community Association, Bedford House, Westbury Road, Buckhurst Hill WHEN: Saturday 19th March, 7.30pm WHAT: Rotary Club of Ongar Fundraising Event for St Clare Hospice - BBC gardening expert Christine Walkden will give a talk on Exotics for your Garden’, followed by a question and answer session. Tickets, priced £10 (£12 on the door) are available from Tony Moore on 01279 902452 or by emailing moorsie3@sky.com WHERE: Budworth Hall, High Street, Ongar WHEN: Sunday 20th March WHAT: Guided Tour of Copped Hall - Tours start at 10am and last about two-and-a-half to three hours and cover the gardens, a large part of the mansion, the cellars and stables. Gates open at 10am with last entry at 11am.

Tea, coffee and homemade cakes available in the Racquets Court where there is a shop selling books about Copped Hall and a range of gifts. Secondhand books on sale in the mansion. There are also permanent exhibitions.

Entry £8 per person.

WHERE: Copped Hall, Epping

WHEN: Friday 25th March, 7.30pm WHAT: Epping Church Choirs Association Concert - Fauré’s Requiem, conducted by Simon Winters. Entry free. Retiring collection for charity.

WHERE: St John’s Church, St John’s Road, Epping WHEN: Sunday 27th March, 2pm-6pm WHAT: Easter Egg Trail - An opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the garden, with activities for children, including an Easter egg trail. Refreshments in the Barn Tea Room. Adults £4, concessions £3.

Accompanied children 5-16 £1. Free for under 5’s.

WHERE: The Gibberd Garden, Marsh Lane, Harlow CM17 0NA WHEN: Sunday 27th March, 2pm-4pm WHAT: Easter Egg Hunt - Children can see the Easter bunny and join in an Easter egg hunt while adults enjoy the spring flowers. Tea/coffee and homemade cakes and gift shop available until 4pm. Entry £5 per person. Egg hunt: 50p per child taking part. Car park will be closed at 5pm and locked at 5.15pm.

WHERE: Copped Hall, Epping WHEN: Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th March WHAT: Egg Hunt & Easter Crafts Follow the trail around the house and gardens to find the hidden eggs and bunnies and pick up your special treat when you complete it! £1 per child, 11am-2pm.

On Bank holiday Monday join us to have some fun with Easter arts and crafts. We’ll be making masks, cards and some fantastic stands for your Easter eggs! £5 per child (age 3+), 11am-12.30pm.

WHERE: Valentines Mansion & Gardens, Emerson Road, Ilford IG1 4XA

ESSEX CENTRAL

57

LOCAL

G N I N A CLE RVICES OVER 3

EST 1977

XCELLEN FE

SE

EARS O 0Y

CE

We specialise in deep cleaning of 3 Carpets - in the home or office 3

Rugs - take away or onsite 3 Upholstery - inc leather 3 Curtains - inc take away & re-hanging 3 Jet Washing - Patios/drives/decking inc seal & re-sand Get in touch for a FREE estimate:

020 8502 1162

e: mail@mandkcleaning.com w: mandkcleaning.com

SPECIALISTS IN BOILER REPAIRS Gloworm, Vailliant, Potterton, Baxi, Worcester/Bosch, Main Faulty boilers repaired No hot water All heating problems Power flush

Winter & Autumn

HEATING & GAS Tel: 07722 906 630

BOILER Servicing, Repair, Installation Safety inspections Pump, valves, radiators All plumbing work undertaken

58 

ESSEX CENTRAL

TO LET - WELLINGTON ROAD, NORTH WELAD £ 895 P.C.M. UNFURN

NOW- MILDMAY TO TAVAIL O LET MILDMA AY ROAD, ROAD, R ROMFORD OMFORD Modern topUNFURN floor purpose built flat, double bedroom with fitted wardrobes, fitted £795 PP.C.M. ..C .M. kitchen, good size lounge with wood flooring, bathroom with shower over bath, gas c/h, A V AIL A NOW NOW AVAIL parking.

Nicholsons Sales and Lettings are pleased to offer this largerr than average LET - MILDMAY ROAD, ROMFORD £795 P.C.M.UNFURN grAVAIL oundNOW floor recently decorated orated flat,, one bedroom,, large kitcchen/dinerr, lounge, bathr oom,, electric heating.

Nicholsons Sales and Lettings are pleased to offer this larger than average ground floor recently decorated flat, one bedroom, large kitchen/diner, lounge, bathroom, electric heating.

TO TO LET – ELECTRON ELECTRON HOUSE TO LET - CUNNINGHAM RISE, NORTH WEALD £ 950 P.C.M. £1195 PP.C.M. .C .M. UNFURN FURNISHED AVAIL A V AIL A 10.10.15 AVAIL NOW WModern e are delighted y built 2 double bedr oomfitted apartment, to off this newl ground floor selfercontained maisonette, good size lounge, kitchen, bathroom withplan shower overwith bath,amtico double bedroom fittedfitted wardrobes, gaswith c/h, modern open lounge flooring,, with modern kitchen parking. brd/glazing, eakfast bar r, modern fitted bathroom being fully tiled with shower over bath TOheated LET -toRODINGS COURT, £1050 P.C.M.UNFURN and wel rail,, doub ble glazed, , gas c/h, , council permit pparking

WELLINGTON ROAD

RODINGS COURT

AVAIL 26.03.16 Self contained flat, double bedroom, good size lounge with dual aspect windows, open modern fitted kitchen, fitted bathroom with shower TOWN Tplan OWN VIEW AP APARTMENTS, P A AR RT TM MENTS, , LOUGHTON LOUGHT ON over bath, allocated underground parking.

£1250 PP.C.M. .C .M. UNFURN TO – ALBION TERRACE, CHINGFORD £ 1325 P.C.M. UNFURN AVAIL A V AIL A LET 04.01.16 Terraced cottage style property, good size lounge with solid wood flooring with dining Warea, e argalley e pleased offerwith thistiled top flooring, floor self contained ent,one , 2 double partment, style to kitchen utility room, 2 abedrooms with fitted bedr rooms o large hallglazed, waay, mo modern openroom, plan bathroom fitted kitchen/lounge withbath Juliette wardrobes, double gas c/h, utility with shower over and shower cubicle. balcon y, w ood flooring,, mo modern fully tiled bathroom with shower

CLARKS MEWS

LET - TOWN VIEW APARTMENTS, LOUGHTON £1250 P.C.M. UNFURN We are pleased to offer this top floor self contained apartment, 2 double bedrooms large K KINGSDON INGSD ON LANE, Lopen ANEplan , HARLOW HA RLO W hallway, modern fitted kitchen/lounge with Juliette balcony, wood flooring, modernP P.C.M £1,495 ..Cfully .M tiled bathroom with shower

large lounge with e pleased to offer this 4 EPPING. bedroom £1450 WTO e arLET detached house , larg - CLARKS MEWS, P.C.M. UNFURN AVAILsize NOW good dining area,, fitted kitchen with white goods,, downstairs wetroom Nicholsons are delighted to offer this stunning warehouse luxury recently with wc, conser vatory, larg large famil y bathr oom with shostyle wer first overfloor bath, , gas c/h, built apartment, open plan/lounge fully fitted kitchen, 2 bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, garage and offbathroom street parking. ultra modern with underfloor heating, wooden flooring, electric heating,

ALBION TERRACE

reserved parking.

TO LET - DOUBLEDAY HOUSE, EPPING £1495 P.C.M. UNFURN AVAILABLE 10.03.16 Top floor modern self contained apartment, 3 bedrooms master with built-in wardrobes, modern open plan lounge, fitted kitchen, large b/room with shower over bath, gas c/h, double glazed, entry phone system, secure allocated parking.

DOUBLEDAY

WELLINGTON ROAD, NORTH WEALD - SOLD £160,000 Leasehold We are pleased to offer this one bedroom top floor flat in the village of North Weald Good size lounge with separate modern kitchen, modern bathroom with shower over bath, double bedroom with fitted wardrobes, parking.

TOWER ROAD, EPPING £575,000 Freehold SOLD Nicholsons are delighted to offer for sale this 3 bedroom semi detached property set in an ideal location in the market town of Epping. Good size hallway, 2 reception rooms one having patio doors leading to a mature garden, master bedroom with en suite shower and Juliette balcony, family bathroom with electric shower over bath, fitted kitchen and utility room, boarded loft space with electrics, gas central heating, double glazed, off street parking

ESSEX CENTRAL

59

?

CORNER

?

ANIMAL MATCHES

?

Match these animals with their baaby names.

?

ADULTS

BABIES

Crocodile

Calf

Camel

Hatchling

Deer

Pup

Ferret

Joey

Gerbil

Fawn

Hedgehog

Fry

Kangaroo

Cria

Salmon

Hoglet

Llama

Kit

s SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

?

Difficulty: Hard

?

?

?

?

SUDOKU

?

WORD SEARCH

Find these Easter related words:

Hot Cross Bun Chick Good Friday

Chocolate Eggs Religion Colourful Bunny

?

?

?

?

PUZZLE ?

?

?

Easter Celebration Egg Hunt

?

?

Can you spot 6 differences between these two pictures?

?

?

60 

ESSEX CENTRAL

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

?

?

WIN!

PUZZLES COMPETITION

&

Win a Seed and Bean Ultimate Hamper!

S

To Enter: Simply fill in the entry form and send to: Essex Central Magazine, Brickfield Business Centre, High Road, Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6TH, enter online at www.essexcentral magazine.co.uk/competitions or email your details to: competitions@essexcentral

magazine.co.uk.

Closing Date: Two winners will be picked on Monday 21st March.

Terms and Conditions: *By entering this competition you agree to provide a picture for publication if you are picked as the winner. www.seedandbean.co.uk

CHOCOLATE HAMPER COMPETITION NAME:

!

eed and Bean is a multi award-winning, 100% natural, organic, ethical and Fairtrade chocolate brand, handmade in England. All the chocolate is suitable for vegetarians, the dark bars suitable for vegans and the milk and white are Kosher certified. Something to suit the tastes of all chocolate lovers out there.

The collection comprises 18 eclectically flavoured, beautifully blended bars.

Tantalise your taste buds with some of the more daring combinations; fiery Chilli & Lime, Floral Lavender, Creamy Raspberry & Vanilla, Wake-me-up Extra Dark Espresso or maybe some Zingy Mandarin and Ginger and many more.

Seed and Bean appreciate the use of real, 100% organic ingredients, they have no ‘hints of’ or ‘flavourings’ in their bars.

If they can’t use “real”, they don’t make it. For example wonderful raspberries, freeze dried and raw for a huge fruit kick, whole cardamom pods, crushed and so very exotic and alluring or the finest Cornish Sea Salt.

With Easter and Mothers Day just around the corner they are giving 2 lucky readers of Essex Central Magazine the chance to win a Seed and Bean Ultimate Hamper worth £65 - packed with 26 bars of pure enjoyment and indulgence.

Seed and Bean is stocked in Waitrose Colchester as well as a number of delis and farm shops in the area or at www.seedandbean.co.uk.

ADDRESS: TEL: EMAIL: ESSEX CENTRAL

61

Do you have a smart phone or laptop?

Would you like to earn money from being on social media?

Be your own boss Work from the comfort of your own home No sales goals to meet Earn weekly and monthly commissions, product credit and amazing bonuses...

Get in touch for more details or an informal chat wrapsbyvic@gmail.com or Find me on Facebook It Works Body Wraps UK By Victoria

FUNDRAISING CONCERT

The Liane Carroll trio with Roger Carey, bass, and Pete Cater, drums

Featuring tracks from her award-winning album ‘Seaside’

Saturday 12 March, Loughton, 2.30pm, £15

Get your business noticed by thousands of local people every month!

Across both our publications we distribute over half a million magazines each year, cover over 200 square km and reach hundreds of thousands of people via our hard copy magazines, digital magazines, plus facebook and twitter promotion – all of this is all inclusive for EVERY advertiser, big or small.

Rates start from just £50

We have two monthly publications which cover towns including: South Woodford, Loughton, Wanstead, Redbridge, Ilford, Chigwell, Barkingside, Epping, Hainault, Ongar, Chingford, Newbury Park, Collier Row, Gants Hill and many more

Loughton Methodist Church, 260 High Road, Loughton IG10 1RB W: www.nationaljazzarchive.org.uk/events T: 020 8502 4701 E: events@nationaljazzarchive.org.uk

62

ESSEX CENTRAL

01992 283 568

For more information call or email advertising@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk

We look forward to working with you!

IT’S TIME TO QUIT Swap your cigarettes for an e-cig ...so many flavours to choose from!

£40

ESSEX CENTRAL

63

DAD’S DIARY

In Partnership with

ENTERING FATHERHOOD

WITHOUT A MAP

“W

hy can’t I see?!”

He yelled... “where are you!!??” for the 5th time that minute he had not grasped what I was trying to explain. “George, let me wipe your face with the flannel, you have conjunctivitis” of course he didn’t know what was going on, he just knew that he couldn’t open his eyes and after a bit of persuading he finally rubbed then himself and began to open them.

We took a trip took doctors and got some eye drops. However, whilst sat in the large waiting room he kindly decided it would be fun to put me through some major social embarrassment. We had taken his ‘doctors kit’ a small stethoscope, the circle mirror to look in the mouth, something that goes in your ear... you get the picture.

So, we sat down, and smiled to the family opposite, he began my examination with my hands, with no instruments but his eyes. Grasping them he moved so close his nose was touching my palm, there he waited, then looked up and yelled... “Wash your hands Daddy!”

I grimaced a smile once again to the family opposite, and just as I

“Like the angriest ventriloquist you’d ever seen”

was about to say “They’re clean honest, in fact I’ve only just washed them” he opened the medical kit, took out the mirror instrument and thrust it violently into my mouth, his face of concentration followed swiftly behind it and I sat there,

64

ESSEX CENTRAL

motionless, waiting whilst sweating for him to deliver his verdict.

“Why do you have a black tooth Daddy?!” I was about to explain that it was a filling when he did the double on me, firstly he smashed the stethoscope hearing pad onto my chest with such force that my heart nearly stopped, whilst reeling from this he shoved the ear probe violently into position at which stage I yelled a few blue expletives through gritted teeth, like the angriest ventriloquist you’d ever seen. The doctor finally arrived, took one look at me with my bleeding ears, punctured chest, missing teeth and called an ambulance.

Later that week it was time to enjoy a party for one of the children at his nursery. We didn’t know it at first but the parents had hired some special guest characters, from the animated film Frozen. The pretty young women playing Elsa seemed to be hoping Simon Cowell would burst through the door, or at the very least a few of the parents would upload her singing talents to youtube. She meandered her way through the three years olds, bending down to sing full pelt into their little faces, with their hair flying back and flapping eyebrows, each child’s facial skin was rippling in waves to the back of their heads as she yelled “Let it go, LET IT GOOOO!” Once she had finished, and the children had found their eyebrows, she kindly asked if anyone would like pictures. A flurry of dads started to rise from their seats, only for their partners to grip the hands, vice like, fake a smile to the room, and pull them sternly back down.

The groans echoed throughout the

hall whilst Elsa just stood there, oblivious.

One by one the kids came up (with their mums) and started having some photos, all was going well until a 7 foot snowman rocked

“Elsa seemed to be hoping Simon Cowell would burst through the door”

up and started trying to muscle in on the kids photos, I was fuming and started to angrily head over whilst rolling my sleeves up “I’ll smash the carrot off his face” I said as I tried to keep the peace, however... as some of you may know, the snowman is actually another character, “That’s Olaf you moron!” my lady’s voice echoed around the hall as she grabbed my arm. I stood there, kids staring back, Elsa unsure, parents confused, and Olaf with arms folded... “I just wanted a pic” I said, and picked up my son, thank fully I’d escaped too much embarrassment. We went over to the snowman and after the initial frosty reception (hilarious, I know) the guy seemed quite decent. I envisaged a scenario about an hour from now, me and the snowman sat outside a pub, having a pint, when the kids come past and have their dreams of Olaf tarnished. Anyway, that wasn’t to happen, as it was soon time to collect his party bag and go home. ...TO BE CONTINUED

Epping

Ofsted registered • Open 7am - 7pm Mini Bus • Holidays Club 5-11 years

We’re Hiring

Before and After School Clubs • Flexible Hours EYFS Curriculum “Our son loves being with the Blossoms team, it’s such a friendly environment and he’s learning new things every dayâ€?

Blossoms Nursery, Horseshoe Farm West, London Road, Thornwood Common, Harlow, Essex, CM17 9LH

01279 429937

www.blossomsnurseryltd.com

ESSEX CENTRAL  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter - www.facebook.com/blossoms.nursery @BlossomsNurser2

65

CLUB FOCUS

3rd hole

THEYDON BOI S GOLF CLUB ‘21st Century style in a historic setting’

O

6th hole

66

ne of the earliest Essex Golf Clubs, Theydon Bois is nestled in the heart of Epping Forest, steeped in tradition, designed by James Braid, five times winner of The Open and a prolific golf course designer. le 4th ho Playing this traditional English forest course through the changing seasons of the year is a delight to the senses and the soul. The essential character of the 1897 design remains intact, although our Green-staff Team constantly look to enhance the course with modern practices and technology.

The course is accessible to nonmembers throughout the week, and provides a true test for all skill levels.

The clubhouse provides a cosy atmosphere to relax after a round, with the veranda providing a stunning vista of the course. Barista coffee and our breakfast menu are available from 7.30am, 7 days a week, and the bar opens for more exciting libations at 11am, with a diverse lunch menu available until closing time.

We have a buoyant and diverse membership of which we are very proud. Ladies are particularly welcomed and will enjoy our Ladies and Mixed golf as well as integrated club golf competitions. Full equality has applied at Theydon Bois for many years.

The club proudly fields teams in all major inter-club county competitions, and there is certainly a real badge of Winter golf honour to wear the “Theydon Blues”. t es b ’s it at

ESSEX CENTRAL

We are always looking to develop the next generation of Junior golfers, and our annual coaching program starts every spring, with all abilities encouraged (for more information please visit the clubs’ website or social media pages).

We have a wide range of lifestyle and classic memberships available to provide suitable options for golfers of all ages, with new members very quickly integrated into the club, both on and off the course.

Selecting the right golf course for a golf society or company day is not an easy task - there are many things to consider. But at Theydon we believe we can offer something for everyone. We offer a comprehensive range of packages to suit the requirements of societies and corporates. As a result, we have a high number of visitors with many returning year after year, so early bookings are recommended.

Our packages range from simply a round of golf to a full day including breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more details and availability, email: richard@ proshopnews.co.uk.

All in all, Theydon Bois is a golf club for everyone, both members, guests and visitors alike so come along and see what we have to offer.

For further information, please either visit our website www.theydongolf.co.uk or contact the Pro on 01992 813054.

...from conception

‌.from conception

‌to...tocompletion completion

reuse your own stones

Designs guaranteed to be unique

Handcrafted in our workshops just for you

Book your complimentary design consultation today Quote EC10 for a 10% discount

ESSEX CENTRAL 

67

Beautiful Plantation Shutters & Blinds

SOLID HARDWOOD SHUTTERS AT MDF PRICES! IN ANY PAINT FINISH & ANY STYLE

35% OFF

SELECTED RANGES