North Weald Village Life May 2017 Issue

North Weald Village Life Strengthening the Community

FREE North Weald Bassett Community Magazine Circulation: Monthly

Issue: 129

MAY 2017

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

NORTH WEALD VILLAGE LIFE About North Weald Village Life North Weald Village Life is an independent magazine and website, owned and published by a local resident who is dedicated to strengthening the local community, improving communication and promoting local businesses and suppliers to local residents.

Circulation The magazine is available free of charge monthly and is distributed from 20th of each month.

Copies can be collected from: • • • .

• • • • • •

News Shop, High Road Kings Head Garage, High Road North Weald Library Art Nursery, Vicarage Lane Newsagents, Coopersale Party Package Thornwood Happy Grow Nursery, Thornwood Davis Estate Agents, High Road North Weald Chemist Epping Forest Taxis, Bassett Business Units

Subscription If you would like to guarantee your personal copy or perhaps you have relatives or friends who would like to receive their own copy, you can subscribe for £18.00 for 12 issues. Please email me, download a copy of the form from the website or write to me at the address below.

Advertisers Advertising rates start at £19.00 for quarter page, £36.50 for half a page and £68 for a full page. Colour advertising rates are now available and there are some premium positions available at this current time. Please contact us for more information. The deadline for booking is the 5th of each month.

Contributions & Editorial If you would like to contribute editorial, poems, recipes, letters or anything else, we would be delighted to receive these. Please send them to us at the address below or via email.

Contact Details Telephone: 07814 863955

It is also the month of birthdays for our family, most families have one month that is a prominent month with loads of birthdays and for us it is most definitely the month of May. Although named after the month of June, May is my birth month and this often causes a talking point and general confusion! I think I may have mentioned this before.

I mentioned the weather earlier, and we really cannot complain as we have enjoyed some lovely weather over the last few weeks, blue skies and lovely temperatures that often cooled down of a night ensuring a better night’s sleep. The only time the weather was not so good was over the Easter weekend when it was dull, grey and cooler—typical!

As many will know as I mention it often, Andy and I take our dogs for a walk in the Roughtally’s wood and we were recently admiring the blossom and range of trees including a number of cherry trees which are not often found in the wood or forest. We were informed later that day by a member of the Countrycare team who look after the forest that this particular area of wood was once an Officer’s garden and this was the reason for the range of trees. How wonderful to add a bit of history to the lovely surroundings!

The last few weeks continue to be hard, my mum is now in a nursing home and is being so brave, not only tolerating the pain of the secondary bone cancer but also the loss of independence at being completely bed ridden now. Only 8 weeks ago we were completely unaware of how things would change so rapidly. I am so amazed at the support of my dad and how he is managing every day, undertaking duties he has never done before and effectively living alone. I am so proud of both of them for carrying on with everything the last few weeks have thrown at them.

On a separate note, Andy (my husband and resident poet) whom many will know from the Kings Head Garage, has undergone the first of a two part procedure on the long standing chronic wound on his arm. He goes into hospital in a few weeks for stage two which is a much bigger operation and will take a few months to get over. He again is very brave but he is not a great patient. He gets frustrated and not being able to do things and he drives the girls and I mad with trying to do it or expecting us to do things exactly when he asks!! Oh happy times ahead!!

On top of this, one of my daughters is studying for her GCSEs and the other is studying for her A Levels. We love a challenge!!!

A lot of my time over the last few weeks are spent in the car, driving to see mum and dad (which is over 40 miles away) and taking Andy to hospital, visiting, appointments, taxi service for the girls etc. I could write a book about the observations I make whilst sitting in traffic, drivers habits, listening to the Sat Nav etc.

Maybe one day—still my dream to write a book although have always thought it would be fiction and not non-fiction—although like most, have certainly got a lot of life’s experiences, both good and bad, I could share. They say it can be therapeutic to write a book but I am sure it would be a boring read!!!

Hopefully I will still get time to see you around the village enjoying some May sunshine.

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Address: 49 York Road, North Weald, Essex CM16 6HU

The month of May is a great Month, it has two bank holidays in it, the weather is usually not too bad and summer is just around the corner.

Epping,

June Editor

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure any data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor it ’s editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party, or loss or damage caused by errors or resulting from negligence, accident or any other concerns. North Weald Village Life does not officially endorse any advertisement material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reported, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted in any form electronically. Mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publisher.

Page 3

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

MAY BRAIN TEASER —Win a bottle of wine • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Lawnmower Shed Sponge Hoover Water Window Painting Bucket Mop Gloves Cleaning Spring Polish Gleam Tidy Clutter

P

S

P

A

C

G

N

I

N

A

E

L

C

C

S D W

O I A

L B U

P L M

A A A

I W O

N H H

T O S

I P I

N S L

G N O

A W P

A L A

L A I

I

P

C

L

O

S

L

G

L

R

P

O

H

K

N P C

P L R

K E T

V S P

S R T

P I L

G L O

D W I

E G A

H S L

S H B

O U A

C M P

R E T

G

A

S

N

G

M

V

N

O

T

E

H

A

T

L

T

I

L

N

G

E

D

L

L

E

T

O

U

O

A

C

W

E

H

S

O

G

N

I

R

P

S

P

W

A

I

D

N

I

W

L

D

C

O

S

L

C

L

U

T

T

E

R

A

Y

T

I

T

O

C

C

A

E

L

C

N

W

A

L

G

L

E

A

H

Congratulations this month to G. Hill who won last months prize and will be celebrating with a bottle of wine. This month the lucky winner can also celebrate with a bottle of wine. To enter this month, please send your completed entry to May Brain Teaser, NWVL, 49 York Road, North Weald, Essex CM16 6HU. Entries need to be received by 10th May. Please ensure you put your name, address and telephone number on your entry so that I can telephone you if you are the lucky winner. Good Luck.

THE EPPING TREE COMPANY TOTAL TREE MANAGEMENT

SEASONED LOGS AVAILABLE Your local Tree Surgeons Approved by the Local Authority & established for over 25 years You can be assured of personal attention Fully Insured

FREE ADVICE & QUOTATIONS Total Tree Management All aspects of tree surgery Felling, Pruning & Shaping, Hedges Trimmed, Stump & Root Removal Specialist contractors for preserved and conservation work

Tel: 01992 522437 Mobile: 07850 390079 ...Proprietor:

S. Dinsdale

www.eppingtreecompany.co.uk Email: info@eppingtreecompany.co.uk Page 4

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

'North Weald Park' proposal Initial proposals for a 'Garden Village' development with up to 700 homes, exemplar new facilities for existing local sports clubs as well as the potential for a primary and grammar / specialist secondary school and retail outlets on land on the edge of North Weald village are to be presented to North Weald parish councillors.

The proposals for the North Weald Golf Club land, off Rayley Lane, are set to be put out for public consultation in May. Further details will be announced in due course.

Quinn Estates has drawn up the 'North Weald Park' proposals which it describes as a "once in a generation opportunity to create a mixed use development with an incredible sporting and education legacy for Essex and Epping Forest district".

Some 100 acres are included in the project which proposes private and affordable housing, a new home for North Weald Scouts as well as brand new facilities for other local sporting clubs in addition to a potential education hub and an 18-acre country park.

Quinn Estates’ chairman Mark Quinn said: "North Weald Park is a sensitively designed project with the plans having been drawn up with the local community at the forefront of our thoughts.

"North Weald Park would not only provide much-needed housing for the Epping Forest district, and North Weald in particular, but also purpose-built bases for local sporting organisations.

We will shortly be undertaking our initial public consultation. We look forward to working with and for the North Weald community and hope local people will express their views so that we can work together with them and ensure that the whole area can benefit from what we are proposing."

Parents warned over toxic battery risk in toys

Essex County Council Trading Standards are warning parents of the dangers of unsafe toys after an investigation uncovered retailers selling kids products with inadequate casing for batteries.

Ten toys were bought from discount stores and market stalls, three of which were found to have small batteries easily accessible to children. If button batteries are swallowed, not only do they pose a choking risk they can also release an alkali that can permanently damage a child’s oesophagus.

The advice is to:

•

Always check the battery compartment for toys is secured by a screw • You should always remove packaging before giving the toy to young children • If your child swallows a button cell battery seek medical attention immediately as there are serious risks of internal chemical burns

Don’t forget to visit the website: www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk To find out details of the latest new & events Or sign up to the Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/Northwealdvillagelife Page 5

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

RACE NIGHT Friday 5th May Thornwood Village Hall.

7 pm for 7.30 pm start Tea/Coffee biscuits served half time please bring other refreshments.

Tickets ÂŁ6.00 Please contact Iris Smith 01992 577872 All profits to St Clares Hospice

Animal Agents, Summer Reading Challenge 2017 15 July to the 2 September Essex Libraries Summer Reading Challenge is called Animal Agents this year. Children will be invited into the world of detectives, sleuths and solving puzzles.

Animal Agents will inspire reading on a grand scale and place newly discovered authors under the microscope. Children will explore new titles and discover facts, characters and stories across the best contemporary children’s writing.

Children will be encouraged to read any six books of their choice to collect stickers in their Animal Agents folder; there are other exciting rewards along the way and, when they complete, they will receive a medal and certificate.

In each library children will be able to hunt out the Animal Agents and join in with wild activities. Animal Agents is aimed at children aged 3-12 with a special early years version for babies and toddlers.

Race for Life Wednesday 12 Jul 2017 19:00 North Weald Airfield Raising money for Cancer Research

07432 Page 6

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

LOCAL EVENTS Every Monday

Ballroom and Latin American Dancing Classes

8.15pm & 9.15pm

North Weald Village Hall. Beginners at 8.15 and intermediate at 9.15. Contact Debbie on 07872 427946.

Every Monday

Taoist Tai Chi

10.30am— 12.30

Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping. Tel: 01992 523854.

Every Tuesday

Taoist Tai Chi

7.30pm— 9pm

Queens Hall, School Green Lane. Tel 01992 523854 for more information

Every 1st Tuesday

Ongar Flower Club

7.30pm

Zinc Arts Centre, High Road, Ongar. A floral art demonstration given by a qualified and experienced demonstrator. guests/visitors £4.50 members free. If you love flowers, why not come along?

Every Tuesday

Baby & Toddler Group

1.15pm— 2.45pm

Queens Hall, School Green Lane. Term time only. £2 per family.

Every Thursday

Baby & Toddler Rhyme Time

2.30pm— 3.00pm

North Weald Library. For under 5’s and their parents/carers (term time only)

Every Thursday

Bingo

7pm— 9.30m

Wheelers Farm Gardens, £4 for book of 8 pages (2 games per page) Option Flyer £1. 50p for small raffle and cup of tea/coffee. Over 18 only

Every third Saturday in the month

The Jack Free Show

Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday in the month

Theydon Jazz Club

8pm— 10.30pm

Thornwood Village Hall

Wednesday 3rd May

North Weald WI

1.45pm

North Weald Village Hall. This month is our WI’s AGM

Friday 5th May

Race Night

7pm

Monday 8th May

West Essex Flower Club

1.45pm

Wednesday 12th July

Race for Life

7pm

North Weald Village Hall

North Weald Airfield

If you know of a local event, please let me know and I will include this in the events calendar on www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk.

Page 7

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Tragic Terrorist Attack

Planning Applications Planning File No: 005677 Application No: EPF/0707/17 Officer: Corey Isolda Application Name: Mr Richard Salter Location: Wyntersley Hastingwood Road Hastingwood Harlow Essex CM17 9JX Proposal: Single storey rear extension with alterations to roof and new windows to front.

Planning File No: 026762 Application No: EPF/0916/17 Officer: Robin Hellier Application Name: Twinbrooks Management Company Lt Location: Garages at Flats 1-15 (Odds) Station Road North Weald CM16 6BT Proposal: TPO/EPF/33/01 T2 Willow: Fell Any representations on applications should be made in writing, by Monday, 1st April, 2017 Epping Forest District Council www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk Comment online at www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/iPlan or by post to: The Director of Planning and Economic Development, Epping Forest District Council, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ Any enquiries should be made to the Application Processing Team T: 01992 564436 E: appcomment@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Page 8

Tel: 07814 863955

Many people will remember 22nd March, when we received news of the tragic terrorist attack in Westminster, London in which 5 people lost their lives and many were injured both physically and mentally.

Flags outside the offices of Epping Forest District Council were flying at half-mast as a mark of respect for the victims of the attack.

Essex Police Acting Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “On behalf of Essex Police I want to offer the thoughts and prayers of the entire force to members of the public killed, injured or affected by the incident in London. We of course also join our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service in grief for the loss of a serving officer.”

“This has been declared a terrorist incident in London and is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command.”

“I urge the public to be alert but not alarmed. Police forces and our partners are doing everything we can to help protect the security of our citizens, public institutions, critical national infrastructure, and businesses and places.”

“This is a time for communities in Essex to remain resilient, compassionate and supportive of each other.

Should anyone have any concerns or see anything suspicious I would urge them to report it immediately by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Citizens Advice suggests what to do about a couple of common employment problems “I took 7 days off work for flu and my employer won’t give me sick pay. I usually work 21 hours in a warehouse but I’m on flexible contract so my shifts moved round. I called in sick and they took me off the rota for a couple of weeks, and are saying that I won’t be paid. Is this right?”

Whatever your contract type, you’re entitled to sick pay if you meet certain rules around the length of your illness and your usual pay.

Statutory sick pay is paid from the fourth day you’d usually be working that you’re off sick. You need to normally earn £112.00 a week or more before tax, and to report your sickness according to your workplace rules like phoning in or filling in a form.

If you’d already agreed to those working hours before you took time off for illness, your employer removing you from the rota doesn’t change your rights - you’re still entitled to sick pay. Your employer may not be aware of their responsibilities, or they may even be trying to avoid paying.

The first step is to ask your employer to fill in the government Statutory Sick Pay form explaining their reasons for not paying you. Once it’s filled in, call the number for HMRC on the form. They’ll clarify whether you’re entitled and if you are, make sure you’re paid. If your employer won’t fill in the form, contact HMRC, who have a legal duty to solve issues around sick pay.

“I’ve applied for a job but the firm has emailed to say that I would need to take a three month training course which costs £4,000 first. I’m keen on the job, but should I pay for the training?”

Some employers do ask you to pay for training, but will normally take the cost from your wages rather than asking you to pay in advance.

Asking for up-front payments is one of the classic signs of a scam, so it’s important you do some research on the firm before parting with any cash.

Start by checking if they have a website. If there isn’t a website, they are unlikely to be legitimate. Look at their email address too, to see if they are using a personal email account such as Gmail or Hotmail, rather than one that’s branded.

Next, check how they describe their company if they are an Ltd or Plc they should be listed on the Companies House website. If you can’t find them there, they probably aren’t real.

You can also look the firm up on the internet to see what people are writing about it. People who suspect a scam or have been scammed, will often post on forums or social media.

Genuine companies will usually have client reviews outside of just their own website.

If you spot something that doesn’t seem right and you want a second opinion, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06. If you think it might be a scam report it to Action Fraud.

Contacting Citizens Advice We have a new local website at http:// www.citizensadviceefd.org.uk which includes links to the national website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk. Or you can always go to one of our local drop-in sessions and talk to one of our trained volunteers. The nearest branch to North Weald is at 50A Hemnall Street in Epping. We are open from 10.00 to 2.00 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. For other days, the Loughton branch in Loughton Library is open for drop-in between 9.30 and 1.00, Monday to Thursday and the Waltham Abbey branch in Waltham Abbey Town Hall is open between 9.30 and 1.00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Source: Paul Stockton Page 9

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

HANDY MAN VACANCY 2 days per week

DRIVER VACANCY 2 or 3 days per week until Oct 2017 Transit van, light loads. Some early starts. (delivery to Local, South East and Notts etc) Both jobs are based at local warehouse in Nth Weald For further information please contact email: john@prestopets.co.uk (Payment P.A.Y.E.)

New service launched to help maintain loved one's final resting place A new service has been launched caring for graves on behalf of relatives who are unable to do this themselves, either through distance or infirmity.

Judith Farr, who has worked for local authorities for 14 years, will visit and tend graves for relatives and delivering fresh flowers.

Judith said “When I was working for the councils relatives often used to ask me if staff could look after graves for them. Unfortunately this was not something the councils were able to do and so I thought I would offer this service myself. The cemetery is always something I have felt passionately about. I enjoy working with people and have empathy with the relatives. It is one of those times when you need people to be helpful and sympathetic and having someone they can talk to makes a huge difference."

Services offered include maintenance around the headstone and edge of plots, the washing of memorials, memorial inspections, the delivery of freshly cut flowers as well as help with grave tracing and photographs for genealogists. Judith will visit cemeteries in the area including North Weald.

Judith added “Spring and Summer are now definitely on their way and this is the time of year when vegetation is growing fast. Regular care and attention can make a big difference when caring for graves and keep them in the best possible condition.”

Her experience with cemetery records was highlighted in the BBC programme Family Finders where she reunited members of a family, where one lived in Hertfordshire and the other relative lived in Australia.

Working with her husband, Judith has set up D & J Cemetery Care which offers a bespoke service tailored to client's individual requirements.

For more information, write to Mrs Judith Farr, D & J Cemetery Care, 60 St Michael's Drive, Roxwell, Essex, CM1 4NU or call 07729 005295. More information can also be found at the D & J Cemetery Care website www.dandjcemeterycare.co.uk

Page 10

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

S. I. Painters and Decorators Established 1980

Quality Painting & Decorating Service • • • • • • • •

Interior & Exterior Specialist Domestic & Commercial Plastering Professional & Reliable No job too small or too large Locally based in North Weald Free Estimates All work is guaranteed Telephone: 01992 524 560 or 07860 494095 Email: stephaniesinteriorsltd@live.co.uk Www.stephaniesinteriorsltd.co.uk Check out our customer references at www.yell.com/S.I.Painting and Decorating Ltd

New council house building reaffirmed at Cabinet Councillors reaffirmed their commitment to build more new council houses at the meeting of Epping Forest District Council’s Cabinet on 6th April. Approving the recommendations of the Finance and Performance Management Cabinet Committee, Councillors agreed to proceed with Phases 3 to 6 of the house building programme.

Epping Forest District Council will match-fund local Essex County Council highway schemes. Cabinet approved capital funding of £50,000 to secure additional funding for highways schemes approved through the Epping Forest Local Highway Panel.

Cabinet also approved a number of recommendations of the Asset Management and Economic Development Cabinet Committee.

These included the provision of way-markers from Waltham Abbey town centre for the Royal Gunpowder Mills and the Lea Valley White Water Centre as the Council encourages tourism within the local economy.

Councillors received updates on the construction before discussing commercial contracts for the new Epping Forest Shopping Park in private. The new park is due to open next summer. Commercial details remain confidential as the Council finalises the anchor tenants. However, negotiations are proceeding well. Income from the shopping park of between £2.2m and £2.7m is expected to make a considerable contribution to the funding of Epping Forest District Council services in coming years.

Councillors also noted progress on new ground-floor shop units at the former Winston Churchill site in Loughton and the purchase of the former school site in St John’s Road Epping from Essex County Council.

Hawaii comes to North Weald Recently Cunningham House hosted a Hawaiian themed event as part of National Hydration Week to encourage residents to eat more fruits with a high percentage of water such as watermelon, tomatoes, oranges and grapes.

There are many reasons elderly people are often at an increased risk of dehydration including thirst sensation and detection decreasing with age, difficulties in accessing drinks and fear of incontinence.

Page 11

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

PET FEATURE

Stanley—winner of the Valour Award

I have recently received a suggestion that as a community who loves pets, that we should have a regular feature in the magazine and I agreed this was a brilliant suggestion.

So if you have any cute, funny or loving photos of your pets whether they are cats, dogs, small animals or horses, please email them to me along with a few words about your pet and I would love to feature these and share them with readers.

I thought it would be a great start to this new feature to share news of a local dog who was awarded the Valour Award by North Weald Bassett Parish Council at the recent Annual Assembly Meeting.

Some of you will remember Stanley, the dog who raised awareness in the early hours of a morning in December to his owners that their home in Weald Bridge Road that a fire had broken out in the loft and was about to engulf their home allowing both Nicky and Gary Londers, a new puppy and Stanley to leave their home with only minutes to spare.

I went around to meet Stanley in person and present him with his prize, which was not only a certificate, which I have been informed will be proudly displayed in the nearly decorated kitchen as the repair work progresses, but also a huge range of doggie treats of which Stanley was very happy to see, smell and taste!! Even sharing with the puppy.

Stanley was very excited and his owners were very proud of their dog.

They certainly have had a few hard months, the fire ruined their home back in December and they are only just moving back into their home as the work continues, but the main rooms namely the bathroom and kitchen were being completed.

Although they know how lucky they all were, it has taken time for them to feel that their house will become their home again but this was only possible with the help of their family and of course Stanley.

Page 12

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

St Clare 10k is runaway success More than 300 runners laced up their trainers for St Clare Hospice’s 10k race on Sunday 9th April– competing on the hottest day of the year so far. The annual charity 10k race, which has been taking place for over 20 years, is a permanent fixture in Essex running club calendars and attracts competitors from across the county.

This year’s event is expected to raise more than £8,000 in vital funding for the Hospice.

The participants, including four wheelchair athletes, set off from the Hastingwood-based hospice at 10.30am, tackling a route along roads through the beautiful Essex countryside. GB Paralympian, Richard Chiassaro, was the first wheelchair competitor across the finish line in a time of 23 mins 25 secs.

The first man back was Thomas Grimes from Chingford-based athletics club, Orion Harriers, in a time of 33 mins 54 secs and Lindsay Russell-Smith of Ware Joggers took first place in the female category in a time of 43 min 6 secs.

Jamie Hooper, St Clare’s Fundraising Development Manager, said, “It was a brilliant day and, as ever, it was so humbling to witness the support shown by the hundreds of people who took part and volunteered. It is events like this that help to make St Clare the wonderful place that it is – and mean we can continue to care for local people and their families.”

Special thanks go to all the volunteers who marshaled the route and helped on site including: Colin Moody, the Harlow Sea Cadets, Epping and Harlow Police Cadets, Galleon Travel, photographer Nigel Otter and DJ Scott Berry

Free tickets celebrating the Big 50 It’s 50 years since Lee Valley Regional Park began and what better way to celebrate than winning fun, free experiences across the 26 mile long park?

There are over 900 tickets up for grabs! The Lee Valley Regional Park have tickets on offer for everything – from white water rafting to luxury hotels, cycling, garden tours, Go Karting, weekend campsite stays, boat trips and tickets to world class sports events.

The ballot closes on Monday 15 May, so all you need to do is browse through the many offers we have available and apply for tickets for whatever you fancy! You'll hear from us around 18 May if you've been successful.

Happy hunting

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Page 13

IT TOOK A ZIMMER TO MAKE ME THINNER!

North Weald Bantham and Ongar Bowls Club (Behind the Talbot)

Meets every Tuesday at 5.30pm or 7.30pm

Phone Cara: 0779 2778225

“And I will recommend a weight loss programme for Mrs Kerr” . I was already hot and bothered having just been told I’d need surgery on my foot, and then when that healed I’d have to have the same on the other one. I knew I was a bit heavy but I’d always been chubby, or ‘just cuddly’ as one of my colleagues had told me, but I wasn’t really overweight, after all I could still fit into my jeans…just. All the women on my side of the family were overweight. It was in my genes, and I just wasn’t designed to be one of nature’s thin people.

Or so I told myself.

I had the surgery, and the next day the physiotherapists came to help me out of bed. It took two of them, but I got into the wheelchair and was taken to the gym to see what would be the best way to get me mobile as I wasn’t allowed to weight bear on the affected foot.

After some wobbly moments it was decided it would be best for me to use a Zimmer frame rather than crutches as I had difficulty getting upstairs on crutches. I was too heavy to balance properly.

I was discharged home, and spent the next six weeks mostly sitting down as getting around was difficult on one foot, and found my new favourite food…chocolate peanuts!

Eventually I recovered and returned to work. As part of a work project I was required to be photographed with some of my colleagues. When I saw the picture, I was mortified. I didn’t really look like that did I? At the same time My Dad was told at a health check that he had fatty deposits around his liver which was dangerous to his health. After some discussion we decided that we both needed to do something to lose weight. We had attended Slimming World a few years previously and had lost weight, but eventually stopped going and the weight piled on again.

*new group opening* Saturday 6th may 8.30am Thornwood village hall Epping

Call Mandy on 07778117128

That first week I lost three and a half pounds, more weight than I had ever lost in one week and even better I hadn’t been hungry or felt I was missing out on anything at all. I could even have my glass of wine in the evenings that was my particular treat.

The next week I lost another three pounds and was really on my way.

The whole group was so delighted for me I felt on top of the world. After another week I had lost more than half a stone and had my first shiny award. I was thrilled and found the results made it so much easier to keep going.

My whole family were eating

The time came for me to have my second surgery and this timewhat a difference. Three stone lighter meant I could use crutches- no embarrassing Zimmer. Best of all, all my work colleagues and friends are so complimentary about my three and a half stone lighter new look that I feel like a completely new confident person happy in my skin, and ready to take on the world and win. It has made such a difference to me that I am about to open my own group as a new consultant and if I can make even one person fell as good about themselves as I feel about me then I will be even happier. My Dad has also lost the weight he wanted and is one pound away from target. The fatty deposits have gone, and he is fitter and more active than he has14. been for a long time.

Page Tel: 07814 863955 Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk So although it wasn’t the best thing, using that Zimmer has definitely made me thinner!

Hospice calls supporters to ‘Go Bright’ St Clare Hospice is calling on their local schools, workplaces and community groups across West Essex and East Hertfordshire to put their creative fundraising skills to the test by taking part in their first ever ‘Go Bright for St Clare’ campaign.

The West Essex charity is launching the week-long campaign as part of their community fundraising activities and the event promises to be the ‘brightest week in the St Clare calendar.’ Taking place from Monday 22nd May to Sunday 28th May, local St Clare supporters are invited to hold ‘bright’ events in aid of the charity – raising awareness and funds for the cause.

St Clare Community Fundraising Lead, Dani De’ath, is co-ordinating the inaugural ‘Go Bright’ week and explained: “‘Go Bright’ is all about supporting St Clare Hospice, your local hospice charity. One of the first things patients and families often say to us when they arrive at St Clare is how lovely and bright the hospice is, and what a happy and peaceful atmosphere it has. It is often not what they expected, as they imagine a hospice to be a dull and dingy place. ” Commenting on range of ‘Go Bright’ events that participants could organise, Dani said: “Why not hold a ‘Go Bright’ dress-down day at your school or workplace – by donning the brightest clothes in your wardrobe; bake a bright rainbow cake and hold a bake sale; wear a bright-coloured wig for the day or wear your brightest facepaint? .The great thing about ‘Go Bright’ is that your fundraising plans can be a simple or as elaborate as you like – and whether you raise £20 or £200, every pound really does count. bright ideas to get you started!

But when it comes to putting the ‘fun’ in ‘fundraising’ the world really is your oyster – so be as imaginative as you can. We cannot wait to see what our local schools and supporters come up with this year!”For more information about how you can get involved in St Clare’s first ever ‘Go Bright’ week and to download your free resource pack, visit www.stclarehospice.org.uk/event/go-bright-st-clare/ or contact St Clare Community Fundraising Lead, Dani De’ath, on 01279 773738 or dani@stclarehospice.org.uk

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Page 15

Local Award Winners On the evening of 20th March at the Annual Assembly of North Weald Bassett Parish Council, Citizen of the Year awards were presented to local people including:-

Lifetime Contribution Award—Arthur Moreton.

Many people will know Arthur and his important role and hard work on behalf of North Weald Airfield.

Communiity Long Service Award—Vivian Madden. Vivian has volunteered for nearly 30 years for the North Weald Preservation Society working very hard on the Annual Show.

Citizen of the Year—Jimmy Waters was presented with this award, he is a very worthy winner with all his hard work recently repainting the milestones in the Parish, and he has recently written a book about Thornwood.

C. J. A. Upholstery Stylish and contemporary pieces of furniture, individually crafted to fit perfectly to any space & lifetime guaranteed.

Group Award—Epping Forest Countrycare who work very tried keeping all the forest areas healthy

Complement your furniture with stunning Fabric, 1000’s of fabric to choose from.

Quality furniture – Made to last a lifetime 28 years at Omega Furniture Why buy new furniture when we can re-upholster your existing piece?

With more than 35 years' experience, CJA Upholstery is a small, friendly business who provide a comprehensive range of upholstery services to clients in Essex and Hertfordshire.

Valour Award— Stanley—a 16 month old dog who alerted his owners when the home was on fire saving their lives.

Page16.

Contact Us 01992 893 964 / 07904 359 333 Northam, 45 North Street, Nazeing, Essex EN9 2NH

www.cjaupholstery.co.uk Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Summer at Squadron The Squadron is gearing up for a busy summer again with Air Britain returning for 2 days of great flying on June 17 th & 18th, an R.V. Fly in on 8th & 9th July with a 1940’s Hangar Dance in the evening of the 8th July.

The bar is up and running and open all day Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 7pm although licensed bar facilities are available during opening hours with the weather playing a large part in the proceedings, feel free to call in and watch the world and the aircraft go by!!

Food served from 8am – 4pm daily, our membership is now open for new members for the first time in a long time, with a great range of benefits for both flying members and social members, starting with a monthly newsletter with all the benefits.

So basically were getting on the case for more flying, new Gyrocopters have arrived to help Keep North Weald Flying!! Microlights and hopefully the Jets return to flight.

Come and see us at The Squadron, Authentic WWII Café ,Bar, Dining & Events Come to our Steak & Quiz night on May 13th at 7.30pm £10 members/£14 non Below is a list of dates to be aware of for this year: April 23rd Jaguar Car Club Meet 9am April 25th Gasco Safety Briefing 19:30 April 29th Sirrus Meeting 10:00 May 5th Film Night 19:30 May 10th RAFA Lunch 11:00 May 13th Steak & Quiz Night 19:30 May 20th Dawn Chambers Birthday Party 19:30 May 21st Air Ambulance Bike Fest 10:00 May 22nd – May 24th Yak Formation Flying May 27th Late Night flying to 21:00 , spot landing competition June 2nd Film Night 19:30 June 3rd RAFA Dog Racing Night Harlow June 17-18 Air Britain, Fish n chip supper in Bar 17th June 27th Mildenhall visit July 7th Film Night July 8th Hangar Dance with 17 piece Band and hog roast, licensed bar July 12th Race For Life ½ way party, bbq & music & beers July 16th Community Day

Tel: 07814 63955

Page 18.

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Page 17.

Council takes back management of car parks

“By taking functions back in-house and engaging the services of NSL, we can make very worthwhile savings, and I believe we shall provide a better service to the public as well.”

As of 1st April 2017 Epping Forest District Council will take over the management of their 18 car parks, saving at least £58,600 each year for local taxpayers.

”Not only will the parking charges remain at the current level but we shall continue to operate car parks that have received the prestigious ParkMark award, demonstrating that they continue to attain the very highest standards in terms of safety and security.”

The District Council will now be responsible for processing season tickets, penalty charge notices (PCNs) and other associated functions run until now by the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP). The Council has engaged a specialist company, NSL, to carry out day-to-day enforcement activities, as well as cash collection from the pay-and-display machines in the car parks.

Since 2011 Epping Forest District Council has partnered Essex County Council in NEPP, together with Harlow, Uttlesford, Braintree, Colchester and Tendring councils. Until now NEPP has managed both on-street and off-street parking services in Epping Forest district for a number of years, and will continue to operate on-street parking enforcement and services in the district.

The transfer of off-street management follows an analysis by the District Council which found that a number of efficiency improvements could be made, benefiting local taxpayers.

Councillor Gary Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder, commented: ”I am delighted that these new arrangements for our car parks are now being put in place. “

Page 18.

Tel: 07814 63955

Amongst the 18 car parks, the following are included:-

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Epping Bakers Lane CM16 5EG Epping Civic Offices CM16 4BZ Epping Cottis Lane CM16 5DQ Loughton Burton Road IG10 3ST Loughton High Beech Road IG10 4HH Loughton Old Station Road (Sainsburys) IG10 4PE Loughton Smarts Lane IG10 4BG Loughton The Drive IG10 1HW Loughton Trap's Hill IG10 1HD Loughton Vere Road IG10 3SW Ongar Bansons Lane CM5 9AA Ongar Bansons Lane (Sainsburys) CM5 9AG Ongar The Pleasance CM5 9AG

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Page 19

our o

Art Nursery Garden Centre

•

Fruit trees & shrubs

•

Terracotta & glazed pots

•

Rockery stone & gravel

•

Vegetable plants & seeds

•

Seed Potatoes

•

Onion sets

•

Large range of Garden Ornaments & Bird Baths

•

Perennial Plants

•

Bedding & Basket Plants

•

This year we are stock lots of new stock—come in and have a look

Bring in your hanging baskets & containers now and we will plant them up for you ready for

LOGS Home made snacks, cakes & soups Wide range of coffees (Open weds to Sun 10.30am—4pm)

COAL CALOR GAS

Visit our Facebook page:www.facebook.com/Art-Nursery-Garden-Centre

TELEPHONE 01992 523346 Vicarage Lane West, North Weald CM16 6AL (On the same road as St Andrews Church)

Page 20.

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

THE GARDEN HELP Care for your Outdoor Room Garden Maintenance/Tidies,

Gardening Hints for May What a fantastic April. We have had warm sunny days with everything beginning to grow at a fast pace. Although the downside is the lack of rain. The ground is very dry and compacted and difficult to work.

Garden Design Mowing, Pruning, Weeding, Trimming, Holiday Plant Care,

May is another brilliant month for gardening with seemingly not enough hours in the day to complete all the jobs you wish to achieve.

If you planted your potatoes early make sure you earth up and cover any emerging shoots to protect them from any late frosts.

From the second week of May onwards is the time to plant out your runner beans. Introduce plenty of composted material and well rotted manure before planting.

Call Kay to discuss your requirements on 07763 775330

If you have a greenhouse its very important to achieve maximum ventilation during the day by opening all doors and vents, otherwise your plants will tend to get leafy and weak if its too hot, with a tendancy to damp off—especially young seedlings.

Email; kayhewitt@rocketmail.com Continue to sow batches of cabbages lettuces, peas, radish, salad onions, spinach, turnip, cauliflowers, carrots and brussell sprouts.

Although the weather has been warm for the first three weeks of April, be careful about planting out tender bedding plants until at least the second week of May, we can easily get a late frost which will kill of bedding such as bizzie Lizzies, begonias and young geraniums.

It Is still not too late to bring in your empty hanging baskets and troughs for refilling.

Although May is a very busy month in the garden, you must take time out, sit back, relax and enjoy the sounds, sights and smells of your garden with the drink of your choice (mine of course is a cold beer).

Cheers!

Source: Nigel—Art Nursery Garden Centre

Page 21

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

North Weald Airfield Museum This Museum, is housed in the former Airfield Station Office, Ad Astra House in Hurricane Way, adjacent to the original main entrance of this historic but still active airfield.

The museum displays concentrate on the personnel, both service and civilian, who served, lived, worked, flew and sometimes perished on the airfield. The history is based on five themed rooms on the ground floor floor. The first depicts the airfield during the Great War and the inter-war years, the second portrays the RAF squadrons based on the airfield during the Battle of Britain, a third presents the stories of the many allies - American “Eagle” Squadrons, Canadians, Norwegians, Poles, Czechs and New Zealanders who also flew from the airfield during the second world war.

The fourth room depicts the situation on the Home Front in Britain during the second world War and the final room presents the Jet Age from 1945 to 1958 when the RAF vacated the airfield and depicts Venom, Meteor and Hunter aircraft which formed the famous RAF Black Arrows aerobatic display team, forerunners of the current Red Arrows.

The diorama displays include uniforms, medals, artefacts, photographs, personal memorabilia and model aircraft and features several airmen who played a significant role in the air war and military aviation. These include Group Captains Victor Beamish, Douglas Bader and Roger Topp who commanded 111Squadron, led the the Back Arrows and became an Air Commodore.

There are also picture galleries of the aircraft that flew from North Weald on the staircase wall and in the Conference Room.

Last year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the establishment of this home defence airfield in 1916 and there are a number of souvenir items for sale in the shop. The museum is open from 12 noon to 5-00pm (last admission 4.00pm) on Saturdays and Sundays and Bank Holidays with very modest (£2 or less) admission charges with children under 5 free and all are welcome.

For further information visit the website www.nwamuseum.co.uk or telephone 01992 523010 on which there is an answerphone for messages if the Museum is not open.

Page 22

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

LETTER Dear Editor, Citizen of the Year Award.

I’d just like to say how surprised and honoured I am to receive this award and I thank my nominator/s.

It had initially been suggested I could come along to the Parish Assembly and possibly sell some copies of my book – Thornwood Common an Essex Village but it actually sold out a few weeks before the event!

We had cracked on with the milestone restoration due to favourable weather and when I received a formal invitation to the Assembly, thought I may be in-line for an achievement award as they do look rather good!

I have already expressed my sincere thanks to those lovely people who helped me so much with the writing of the book in the acknowledgement pages of it but I’m also indebted to a wonderful band of ‘agents’ who have gladly distributed the work on my behalf namely: David Lodge, Janet Abbott, De Spence, Dave and Sue Stallan.

Regarding the milestones. There are two ladies in particular that deserve a mention as quite frankly, I could not have done it without them. They are Sue Deluca – Parish Clerk, and my wife – Barbara.

I must also mention John Nicholls from the Milestone Society (no, I hadn’t heard of them either before all this) for his advice and support, Verderer Michael Chapman for Epping Forest and Kevin Hebden for deploying and retrieving the safety barriers.

North Weald Cricket Club News Despite the best efforts of the local rabbit colony who have been going to great lengths to dig up the playing pitches, the season has begun with a series of friendly matches that begun at Easter. This month however, the league season begins, and the club will be trying to battle its way back up to division 3 following last season's sudden drop from 2nd place at the halfway stage to end up relegated.

Alas this did coincide with key players obtaining new jobs elsewhere in the country.

Hopefully the stones should stay in reasonable condition for a number of years and who knows, they may even be raised, straightened and turned to face the correct direction one day and the missing stone at Hastingwood miraculously rediscovered and set near to its original position!

The book is currently being re-printed and will be available again shortly. I’ve started collecting material for a 2 nd edition though that will be many years away but if you would like to contribute to it in the form of memories or photographs, please do get in touch.

Thanks once again, James (Jimmy) Waters.

Junior training sessions for 5-11 year olds begin on Sunday mornings (10 - 11:30) later this month, and parents can sign their kids up in one of two ways. Firstly they can contact the club staff and book a place, or they can go to the England & Wales Cricket Board's website (https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars/parents), as the club is an 'All Stars Cricket' activity centre. The advantage of going through the ECB's website are the extra goodies the children are given at a subsidised price, which include: a cricket bat, ball, shirt, cap, backpack and water bottle.

Practice for older children and adults will take place on Friday evenings at the club's twin practice nets which have now been repaired following last season's vandalism. Anyone that would like to join in is welcome, contact Bob Wood on 522677 for more information.

Page 23

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Prayers for North Weald people Regular readers of North Weald Village Life will be aware that every Sunday at St Andrew’s Church prayers are said for the people for one particular road in the parish.

Anyone who has any individual matters that they would like to have included in this weekly prayer cycle should ring either Mrs Ruby Scot on 01992 522091 or me on 01277 363202. T The roads that will be included during May are as follows: May 7: George Avey Croft, May 14: Hampden Close May 21: Harrison Drive May 28: Hawks Hill.

Report from Edwyn Gilmour, Lay Minister, St Andrew’s Parish Church.

CHURCH CHAT- MAY 2017 It was great to see three dozen adults and children enjoying our first “Messy Church” just before Easter, and my thanks go especially to Kate Cant, to Mrs Lorkins and to Christine and Barbara from North Weald Methodist Church for making it possible! Keep a look out for our next Messy Church - probably at the end of the school summer holidays. It’s a long way from some peoples’ conventional ideas of “church” but, Christians have realised, just as important in helping both young and old hear about the good news of Jesus in a way that’s helpful and engaging. Everyone in our community will be very welcome. But before then, we have our next Family Communion at St Andrew’s Church on April 30th at 9.15am – and our theme will be more of the Easter story, in particular the wonderful encounter between the risen Jesus and two of his friends on their way to the village called Emmaus.

And it’s perhaps worth us all remembering some more words spoken by the risen Jesus at the moment. I have to say that even I have been taken aback by the sheer number of dramatic developments both at home and abroad since I last wrote “Church Chat” a month ago – not only do we now have a General Election in a few weeks that very few would have expected, but we’ve also had some very worrying tension in the Far East, yet more violence in Syria and lots of world leaders seemingly engaging in what resembles to me something of a playground shouting-match. It’s tempting to despair at the state of the world – as it has been tempting for people over the ages at different times – but the risen Jesus said to his friends “I will be with you always – until the end of time.” It’s a hugely important thing for Christians to know that, despite everything going wrong in the world, Jesus is always with us: not, of course, simply to sort out the things we mess up, but to guide us with wisdom and love as to how we might play our part in righting the world’s wrongs. And don’t forget that we at St Andrew’s are praying every week for a different road or street in our village: if you want to be remembered in prayer, then please let me know.

Fr James.

Page 24

(contact me jwerodley@yahoo.co.uk or 01279 451065) Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Page 25

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

LETTER

Dear Editor,

Whilst deciding what to write in this issue my dog jumped on the sofa and sat on my lap, thus I will write about my dog! My dog has recently turned 10 years old and it's made me realise how wonderful those 10 years have been!

Personally dogs are the best pets as they rely on you but not entirely. But my dog means so much as I do to her. She greets me and my family every time we come home from shopping and I love seeing her everyday coming home from work, I never get tired of a loving greet.

Marking her 10th birthday it's made me realise how quick those years has gone and how precious the next years are. I think everyone can relate to the same feeling they have with there dogs, that time is precious and that it is a dynamic bond that is wonderful.

Resident, North Weald Page 26

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

W . J. CRUMP Crash Repairs Established local company High quality car repairs Body Repairs Approved Insurance Repairer

Telephone: 01992 522351 Tylers Green, 284 High Road, North Weald CM16 6EG

Page 27

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Far too P.C. I wanted to write just a quick ditty About all that I felt was wrong.

Though topics were really far too easy to think of I knew that the list was far too long.

Basically the real problem as I can see, Is how far out of shape ‘P.C.’ has become.

With the ideal and ridiculous standards set far too high By what’s supposed to be supported by everyone.

So I can see it’ll go either way By possibly becoming even more pathetic, Or maybe for us all to wake up and call a stop to it today While real people are given the chance to correct it.

Peoples’ morals haven't changed Since I was brought up as a young boy, It’s just that it seems to me that there are people Throwing around the term ‘P.C.’ as if it were a toy.

All of us from a certain generation Should just simply, stop and surmise, And take a long hard look in the mirror and realise.

Two sisters Enter A Strong Women Competition

That none of us have turned out all that bad, What is to blame is this crazy, loud, tiresome voice that is slowly But surely making all of us in this world go slowly mad.

Source: Andy—resident poet.

Two local sisters from North Weald, namely Katie and Terri North are raising money for SANDS charity which is a still born and neonatal death charity . The charity operates throughout the UK supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby.

The idea came to them when they were watching Katie’s partner compete in a strongman competition in March., they decided they would like to do something similar for charity.

The women's ideal weights to lift are : 30kg dumbbell above head as many reps with just one hand.

110kg deadlift, 50kg log, 100kg Axel deadlift 120kg home 20m walk and much more.

The charity is very close to their hearts as Katie lost a baby 4 years ago early on in the pregnancy, this was discovered sadly on her 12 week scan, her baby had died at 8 weeks and had to many chromosomes and would of been very poorly if survived .

Also quite a few of their friends and families have also gone through still born at around 38weeks pregnant which is very hard for families to deal with . This is why we have decided they want to raise £1000 for the charity to try and help support them.

Cat Sitting & Dog Walking Tel: 07930 624879

Email:iainhowland69@gmail.com

If anyone would like to donate they would be very grateful for this . They will keep everyone updated through the training through north weald village life .

Their fundraising page is : Www.justgiving.com/Telkit Page 28

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

My Missing Joys of Easter

‘INSIDE OUT’ PAINTING, DECORATING, PROPERTY MAINTENANCE QUALITY WORK AT COMPETITIVE RATES REFERENCES ON REQUEST FOR A FREE QUOTE CALL JOHN ON 07714 284306 (BASED IN BLACKMORE)

Every Easter following my arrival in the village 30+ years ago would always include a stroll with friends along the bridleway that leads up to the Radio Station and Ongar Park Farm beyond. The reason for this annual visit was hundreds of Baby Lambs running around the fields and leaping in the air chasing each other, with their very proud mums keeping a watchful eye near by and ready for their young when needing a suckle. It was a real joy to see and there were always plenty of other people from the village making the same journey. In term time groups of school children and there teachers would visit the lambs and were made welcome by the farmer, who would spend time answering children’s questions. It really turned Easter into a special time and one felt so lucky to live so close to such a wonderful event.

But now this way of enjoying Easter is long gone and there are no near opportunities for people to see such a wonderful event that had happened in our village for hundreds of years. I have been told that the decline in rearing sheep started with the last great epidemic of Foot and Mouth that swept the country. Plus the loss of EU subsidies, compounded by ever increasing EU regulations and conditions, that led to local farmers not being able to cover the ever-increasing costs. The only animals now reared on Ongar Park Farm are cattle for the beef trade, but you still have the opportunity to see Cows with their newborn Calves.

Sheep are the second oldest animal to be domesticated by man (the oldest his best friend the dog) to provide clothing, food, milk and tallow wax candles to light their caves. Wool growing for manufacture only began in this country when the Romans brought long-woolied sheep to England around 55 BC. There arrival also included ‘one of the worst jobs to have in history’ that of the ‘The Fuller’ who spent 6-8 hours a day trampling raw wool in a large barrel of knee deep stale urine, which was said to make the wool softer for spinning. (And you thought being on a Tesco Till was bad}. The job of the Fuller existed right up to the industrial revolution, when a machine replaced him.

By the 12th Century the Wool Trade had became this country’s greatest cash crop and our biggest export to places all over the world. We were all told at school of how Richard the Lionhearted was captured during the Crusades and held to ransom. But were you told that the ransom had to be paid in bales of British wool and sheep fleeces which in the Arab world was much sought after and of far greater value than gold.

The reason why Sheep Farming became so popular in Essex, was the soils ability to produce lush long grass Meadows, which were ideal sheep pastures and also provided the harvesting of hay in great abundance to feed the dairy cows and draught horses of London. The hay trade became an important source of employment in late Victorian North Weald. Hay Wagons were loaded up in time to leave by late evening and returned early next morning to be reloaded to leave again as soon as ready. Hours were long and the drivers were often fined for ‘being asleep while in charge of a wagon’ (I wonder if this included penalty points being added to a Horse Steering License). Occasionally tragic accidents occurred but there would have been far more but for the fact that ‘the horses came to know the routes better than their drivers’.

Although the last ten years has seen an ever increasing decline of sheep farming this same period has been one of ever growing numbers in this country of the ‘new king of the wool weaving world’ the Alpaca. Domesticated by the Incas of Peru more than 6,000 years ago for their exquisite fleece available in over 22 different natural colours. It has a coat that feels like a longhaired Teddy Bear and a wool fiber that has been described as stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, smoother than silk, warmer than goose down and they also have a facial expression of ‘always smiling’. It’s quite easy to understand why this member of the camel family is proving to be so popular. If you fancy meeting an Alpaca up close and finding out more, then give Butlers Alpacas Farm (down the road near Ongar) a ring on 01277 896565 or log onto their website. They are currently organizing ‘Alpaca Experience Days’, which could prove to be a great time for all the family and have everyone leaving ‘Grinning like an Alpaca?

Source: The Happy Wanderer.

Page 29

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

HOME GLAZING REPAIR SERVICE LTD The Local Company You Can Really Trust!

We specialise in the repairs to all makes of windows and doors

Broken Down/Misted Sealed Units Replaced Locks/Hinges Renewed Conservatories Cleaned/Repaired Cat & Dog Flaps Fitted Front Door Panels Renewed Handles Replaced Letter Plates Replaced Guttering Replaced/Cleaned Full Maintenance of UPVC & Aluminium

A Complete Service To All Windows & Doors FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE CALL FREEPHONE 0800 917 2794 Or VISIT US AT www.homeglazingrepairservice.co.uk

BIRD FEATURE Welcome to the report for the merry month of May, with some notes on sightings up to the middle of April and a few pointers to likely sightings in coming weeks.

May will see the peak of the dawn chorus with the breeding season in full swing and male birds singing to the best of their ability to attract a mate and to send out a message to rivals that the territory belongs to them. Some songs and calls will be obvious, especially from birds such as the Robin and Blackbird which will be a familiar sight around our gardens, singing from prominent locations such as tops of trees, roof etc. Others have weaker songs or sing from thicker foliage, making them less obvious and often heard but not seen. The relentless Chiffchaff is a classic case of a bird that can certainly be heard but can be frustratingly hard to actually spot.

I have heard several Chiffchaffs and quite a few singing Blackcaps with these species being the most obvious summer visitors so far this year. Conversely Swallows and House Martins have been conspicuous by their absence. Most years these species are spotted by the end of the first week of April but this year I did not see any Swallows until 14th April and as of the 16th I haven't seen any House Martins at all. Bearing in mind the generally settled weather I thought we might have seen some earlier than normal,not later.

One species that has been quite widespread in our area has been the Linnet with a few around Weald Common, some scattered about farmland and scrubby areas but also good numbers in areas around the currently disused golf course with several singing males in scattered gorse bushes and a couple of flocks numbering 20 plus birds

A Red Kite flew from the Canes Lane towards Hastingwood during the late morning of 13th April, this is the 5th sighting of this species I have had this year so far. Hopefully there will be more to come. Of our bigger birds of prey the Buzzard is the most common in our area and the Red Kite can be distinguished by its less rounded wings and certainly by its forked tail.

Mentioning Buzzards there have been good numbers to be seen with several sightings of 6 or 7 at a time. They soar upwards and circle lazily on sunny, calm days and can be heard calling at each other as they ride thermals. But they can quickly move on and become mere specks in the sky very quickly. One of the most useful ways of spotting them is when they are mobbed by crows with the resultant commotion drawing attention to them overhead.

There has been a small group of Canada Geese flying over the village, they seem to be frequenting small ponds in the disused golf course and seem relatively tame as the couple of times I have walked past them they have swum in my direction rather than away from me which suggests to me that they may be used to being fed by humans in a park somewhere ? Anyway, they honk as they fly and can usually be heard coming before they fly over.

There are still occasional sightings of Little Egrets although tend to be just fleeting glimpses. A couple of Herons have been about as well, they are well known for their liking for fish but will eat a wide variety of prey - frogs and toads, unwary birds which get too close to the Heron's dagger like bill, and also small mammals such as voles, rats and mice. They have been known to seize birds and mammals and repeatedly dunk them in water to drown their victim. They will hunt in damp fields, ditches etc and not just in rivers and lakes.

Happily there seem to be reasonable numbers of Skylarks about, I have noted several singing males at various locations around the village. Being ground nesters this species is vulnerable to predators but has strategies to thwart them, and will avoid landing right by the nest and will also lure predators away if one gets too close.

If you feed the birds in your garden then it is fine to carry on although peanuts are not recommended as they can choke young birds.

The guidance is that feeding seed etc provides easy food for adult birds which can then concentrate on finding suitable prey such as caterpillars for their nestlings. The priority is to provide clean, fresh food and water, preventing the build up of moulds etc.

Anyway, it is time to look forward to some disturbed mornings with pigeons and doves cooing loudly at daylight, much to our irritation, even for bird lovers. If you get a chance to get out and about, keep an eye open for what might be about, enjoying some sightings of wildlife can enhance your day to day life.

All the best, Paul Corbet.

Page 30

Tel: 07814 863955

Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Essential Local Numbers The Alzheimer Society

01992 717676

North Weald Methodist Hall

01992 522143

Cats Protection

0333 200 1484

North Weald Library

01992 522896

Citizens Advice Bureau

03444 77 0808

North Weald Village Hall Bookings

01992 523731

01992 523825

Crimestoppers

0800 555111

North Weald Parish Council

Doctors High Street, Epping

01992 579270

Queens Community Centre Hall Bookings

northwealdvillagehall.org/

07522 473024

Doctors The Limes, Epping (visits/emergencies)

01992 566500

NHS Direct

0845 4647

Doctors The Limes, Epping (appointments)

01992 573838

Police, Epping Station

0300 333 4444

Doctors The Limes, North Weald 01992 524383

Police, Neighbourhood/local

101

Epping Forest District Council

Police, Emergency

999

Police Online reporting

www.essex.police.uk/doitonline

01992 564000

Essex County Councillors: North Weald—A. Jackson Thornwood—J. Whitehouse

01992 560566 01992 561875

Hospital, St Margarets, Epping

01992 561666

RSPCA

01279 306058

Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow

01279 444455

Stuart Poulton

01992 522607

24 Hour

01992 572607

London & Essex Boarding Kennels & Cattery (Kents Farm)

01992 522183

St Andrews Primary School

01992 522283

North Weald Airfield

01992 564200

North Weald Chemist

01992 523887

Traveline

0870 6082608

LOCAL CLUB DIRECTORY 3rd North Weald Beavers

North Weald Preservation Society

Queens Hall Charity

Tel: 01992 524672

Tel: read 01992 522618/522630

Tel: 522910

British Legion, North Weald Branch

North Weald Cricket Club

Rapier Cycling Club

Tel: 01992 614415

Northweald.play-cricket.com

Tel: 524631

Dance Factory

North Weald Kickboxing

Taoist Tai Chi Society

Tel: 07976 786404

Tel: 07433 2843128

Tel: 01992 523854/07803243625

Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer

North Weald Scouts Group

Theydon Jazz Club

Tel: 01277 365200

01992 524672

01945 588325/davedyer24@gmail.com

Epping Forest Badger Group

Thornwood Seniors

Tel: 576038

North Weald Seniors Society for over 70’s

Friends Force Hertfordshire/Essex

Tel: 522196

Three Valleys Male Voice Choir

Tel: 522464 Epping Forest Rotary Club

North Weald Wireless Station Bowls Club

Tel: 01279 415563 www.3valleymvc.org.uk

Tel: 07855 911323

Tel: 522803

West Essex Flower Club

Forest Highlanders Pipes & Drum

North Weald Women’s Institute (Evg)

Tel: 524631

Tel: 01708 250820

Tel: 522258

North Weald Angling Club

Queens Hall Bowls Club

Tel: 01992 524071

Tel: 523375 or 522052

Tel: 577872