Issue 7 - August 2012

This monthly news sheet is published with the support of Epping Town Council

Victoria Cross sale brings back memories for 90- fire for two hours after he had been wounded at on August year-old who treasures Private Godley’s signature 23, 1914” . Private Godley, who died at St THE sale of the awarded to Private Sidney Godley for his Margaret's Hospital, Epping, was bravery in the First World War has brought back memories to a 90-year-old the first Victoria Cross to be woman who has treasured his signature for more than 80 years. awarded to a Private in the First World War. Last month the medal was sold at auction to an anonymous private collector for £230,000. After other charges, the total amount paid for the medal will be £276,000. Recalling her father's involvement with the Old Contemptibles, of which Private Godley was a member, Mrs Wilmot, who lives in Ongar, said: "My father was secretary of the Old Contemptibles branch which met at the Pigeons Hotel in Forest Gate. We used to go on all their outings and used to go to their Christmas parties. My mother was a trained singer and pianist and gave concerts at the hotel. My father used to tell me that he (Private Godley) was the first VC of the war.” After the war Private Godley worked as a caretaker at a school in east . (continued on next page) ______

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Joan Wilmot (pictured above) was just ten years old when her father, Successfully serving our Arthur Burness-Rose, presented her with an autograph album. communities property needs since On an early page is the signature of Private Sidney Godley above his 1974. Millers estate agents, citation, which appeared in the London Gazette, which states he was awarded 65 High Street, Epping. the VC “for coolness and gallantry in fighting his machine gun under a hot Tel: 01992 560555. Advertise your business. Publicise your event. For more details about the Everything News, email

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John Duffell, secretary of the running passenger services to Martin, first vice-chairman Sue Epping branch of the Royal connect with London Brintonarea chairman Jean Crane British Legion, recalls: “After his Underground at Epping. and area president Sheila Kyte. retirement Sidney Godley moved While previously only used by Many cards with good wishes house several times, eventually engineering trains, this is the first for the club were read out ending up at 164 Torrington time since 1994 that regular including a special one from Drive, Debden. He spent his final passenger trains will have passed Buckingham Palace days in St Margaret’s Hospital, along this stretch of the line. congratulating the club on its Epping, where he died on June Infrastructure and operations diamond anniversary. 29, 1957. aged 67. manager Chris Marsack said: After lunch and many toasts a “He was buried with full “We are pleased to be taking this celebration cake was cut by life military honours in first momentous move towards members Ann Parrish and Cemetery, with the Royal Epping, and the credit must go to Margaret Padfield. Guests were Fusiliers providing a bearer party, the dedication and hard work of then entertained by Michael and firing a volley of shots over our volunteers and the Vital Skills Bowyer MBE with a flower the grave. In November 2000 a Training apprentices without demonstration entitled 'Designing blue plaque was fixed to Sidney's whom we would not have been for Summer'. Tea and cake was home in Debden.” able to extend passenger services, served after the demonstration. allowing our passengers to enjoy Skydivers wanted for and see more of the branch. New date for village’s charity fundraiser “Our attentions will now focus Donkey Derby on this final kilometre, and we

remain committed to our goal of THRILL-seeking fundraisers can THE Theydon Bois Donkey once again operating regular train sign up for a skydive to raise Derby will now be held on services to connect with London money for St Clare Hospice. Sunday, September 23, after Underground at Epping Station.” The group skydive jump will July’s event was called off Epping Ongar Railway is take place at Sibson Airfield, near because the Green was extending an open invitation to Peterborough, on Saturday, waterlogged. stakeholders to join together to September 15. It was the first time in its 25- progress the provision of an The last skydive held by the year history that the event, additional platform at Epping for charity in April saw 25 people organised by the Theydon Bois their trains to serve, as they look take up the challenge and raise Scout Group, has been postponed. towards reinstating this missing over £12,000 for the hospice. The rearranged event (noon- link in the local transport The hospice’s events fundraiser, 4.30pm) will still see the usual network. Tracy Stratford, said: “We are seven donkey races with the now looking for more daredevils donkeys ridden bareback by local to take up the challenge this Royal congratulations children. There will also be a September!” for flower club special lamb race with the For information and to register 'runners' provided by Lea Valley your interest in taking part, ring WEST Flower Club Park Farm which will also be the fundraising team on 01279 received Royal congratulations taking along some of their 773750. when it celebrated 60 years with a smaller, cuddlier animals. Diamond Jubilee summer lunch at Racegoers will also have the Epping-Ongar line gets Theydon Bois Village Hall. chance to enter their canines in a closer to Epping The 147 members and guests fun dog show. were greeted by a flower There will be a large area of

arrangement by club president inflatables for children as well as PASSENGERS using the Epping- Maureen Burrows. The tables traditional fun fair activities and Ongar Railway can now get to were decorated by a group of sideshows. within 1,000m of the Epping talented ladies on the club's There will be a tea tent, Indian Station platform. committee. Chairman Valerie cuisine, candy floss, ice cream The extension is being hailed as Gilbert welcomed everyone and and sweets. a further important milestone in introduced special NAFAS Entry is free. Donations Epping Ongar Railway’s goal of guests, national president Pat welcome. Register to receive the Everything News by email. To be added to the distribution database, email [email protected]

Army based on Civic Copier donation to District Council, which reuses, Offices roof Epping charity recycles or composts 67.13 per cent of all its household waste,

betters the Epping Forest District THE roof of the Civic Offices ACTRESS and TV celebrity Council area figure of 59.86 per in Epping is to be used by the Linda Lusardi was presented cent. Ministry of Defence as an air with a photocopier/printer for the Across Essex, nearly 52 per observation point to monitor the Rhys Daniels Trust charity. cent of household waste is now restricted airspace over London The equipment has been being recycled or composted, an during the Olympics. donated by Theydon Garnon- increase of about two per cent The area is being staffed by based United Technologies Ltd from last year. the Army for about two months. (UTL), a leading service provider County councillor Kevin In a statement, the district of a wide range of office Bentley, cabinet member for council said: "As part of the machinery products. economic development, waste Olympic Games 2012 security The Epping-based Rhys Daniels and recycling said: “It is very arrangements the council has Trust was formed in 1994 to encouraging to see that our agreed to allow the Ministry of celebrate the young lives of his recycling rate has increased Defence to use the top of the children Charly and Rhys. again. civic offices tower as an air The charity provides Home from “I would like to thank our observation post staffed by the Home facilities supporting residents for taking the time to Army. There are 15 other specialist children's hospitals recycle as much as they can, and similar sites strategically placed providing accommodation and a our local councils for the hard around London which offer the safe haven for families whose work they are putting in. best views of the airspace over children are being treated for a “The hard work however does London.” long way from home. not end here. The council says the purpose “Last year we spent £18.42m of the air observation post is to on landfill tax, so we all need to monitor the restricted airspace Goalkeeper is guest at try and reduce the amount of in and around London school speech day rubbish we produce and recycle throughout the Olympic Games. as much as we can so this money A council spokesman said: TOTTENHAM Hotspur can be invested in services “To do this the Army will be goalkeeper Brad Friedel was the within Essex. using thermal imaging guest at Coopersale Hall “We will continue to provide binoculars and an Air Detection School’s speech day. first class recycling services as Alerting Device (ADAD). No In his welcoming speech, school we strive for continuous weapons will be at this site.” managing principal Matthew improvement.” Hagger highlighted the links Councillor Mike Steptoe, Hall visitors to help Coopersale Hall has had with some of the top goalkeepers in chairman of the Essex Waste paint picture football over the years including Member Partnership Board said: David Seaman, Shaka Hislop, "The continued improvement in VISITORS to the Copped Hall Roy Carroll and Ray Clemence recycling levels across Essex is a open day on Sunday, August 30, as ex-parents or grandparents. momentous achievement for the will be able to add their Essex Waste Partnership. contribution to a special He added: “High recycling and painting. District second best in composting is key to the delivery Epping Art Society member Essex for waste of the Essex Waste Strategy and Peter Cartwright plans to paint a these latest figures demonstrate huge picture of Copped Hall, THE Epping Forest district is the that the new recycling services leaving plenty of room for second best in Essex when it being delivered within Essex visitors to add an animal, comes to recycling and have been met with enthusiasm person, bush, tree, flower or composting, latest figures show. by Essex residents, who are now whatever they choose to the Of the 12 district and borough recycling more than ever painting. councils in Essex, only Rochford before.”

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 FRIDAY, AUGUST 31 WHAT’S ON * The Church of the Holy * Play in the Forest. Meet at WEDNESDAYS, AUGUST 8 Innocents, High Beach - Walk Ditches Ride car park 15, 22 and 29 in to Music to Refresh the Soul Theydon Bois (10am-noon). with Duo De Fry - Music for Join a fun, wild play session in * Epping Forest District Harp and Piano Duo. Epping Forest. All children Council holding free ‘Play in Performances at 2.30pm and must be accompanied by an the Park’ session at Stonards 4pm. Retiring collection. adult. £2 per child. Drop in Hill Recreation Ground, event. For more details, visit Stonards Hill, Epping * Scruffs Fun Dog Show at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppi (1.40pm-3.30pm). Play North Weald Village Hall and ngforest or ring 020 8508 Rangers will t take along a green (11am). There are 12 0028. wide range of equipment for classes with special prizes for children and young people to the best child handler and SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 enjoy and will help organise character (scruffiest) dog. games. Space hoppers, flying Cups for best puppy and * High Beach Festival - saucers, rounders, football, overall champion plus ten celebrating the natural and arts. The sessions are open to rosettes to be won in each manmade heritage of the five to 11-year-olds. No need class. All proceeds will be Forest - High Beach Church, to book. For more donated to animal welfare Epping Forest Field Centre information ring the charities. and High Beach Village Green Community Development ( 11am-4pm). Photographic Team on 01992 564556 or SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 exhibition, trying playing the 564363. bells, the organ and brass * 1940s Vintage Chilming Film rubbing in the church and SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 Night at The Squadron, North enjoy an organ recital at 3pm, Weald Airfield (7pm). Listen pond dipping and insect hunts * Summer Craft and Gift to the sounds of the 40s and at the field centre, stalls and Fair by Noonah Crafts why not dress up and get ‘in activities on the Green (9.30am-1.30pm). Theydon the mood‘? For tickets and including a fun dog show at Bois Village Hall, Coppice more details, visit 11.30am, pony rides 1.30pm- Row, Theydon Bois. www.1940chilming.eventbrite. 3pm and Olympic-themed Admission free. Twenty-eight co.uk races at 3pm. Further details craft and giftware stalls. from Rev'd Gill Hopkins on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 01992 760492. * Coopersale Horticultural ______Society summer show, * West Essex Ramblers walk Coopersale Village Hall, (10.30am). Meet at All Saints Institute Road, Coopersale Church, Doddinghurst (car ARE YOU HOLDING (2pm). park opposite) for afour to AN EVENT? five-mile walk via Hook end SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 and Stondon Green. No dogs To get your event listed in the allowed. Everything News and on the * North Weald Horticultural For a copy of the full Everything Epping Forest Society Show, North Weald programme (four walks a website, email the details to Village Hall, High Road, week, holidays etc) visit everythingeppingforest North Weald (2pm). www.westessexramblers.org.uk or @googlemail.com or ring Exhibits in the village hall ring 020 8502 1628 020 8502 David Jackman on 07710 and many stalls outside on 1628 for a sample 447868. the field. programme.