Everything Epping Forest Page 1 of 38 everythingeppingforest.co.uk covers the Epping Forest district in Essex and features regularly updated news - in words and pictures - has a what's on listings section to highlight local events, a Local Business Directory and a section which allows clubs and organisations to publicise their activities free of charge

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Monday, 2 July, 2012

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BGT pair sign record deal 2.53pm - 31st May 2012

BRITAIN'S Got Talent runners-up and former West Hatch High School students Charlotte Jaconelli and Jonathan Antoine have signed a record deal with Simon Cowell, it has been revealed. Their first album will be released on September 3, according to a message posted by Charlotte on her Twitter feed today. She wrote: "Thank you for the lovely messages guys! The album will be out on September the 3rd! So excited that we've signed with @SimonCowell !!!" Jonathan, on his Twitter feed, posted the message: "Thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments! Very exciting! " The pair were favourites to win this year's ITV show but were second to performing dog Pudsey and his handler Ashleigh. Among those congratulating the singers are Britain's Got Talent finalists Aquabatique, the syncronised swimming quartet, who posted a Twitter message saying: "We are SO pleased for @JonChar_bgt @JonAntoine @char_jaconelli! Can't wait to buy their album on 3rd September :) #amazingtalent."

Art society prepares for exhibition 8.49pm - 31st May 2012

EPPING Art Society is preparing for its next exhibition, as part of the Epping Festival on Saturday, July 14. The society will also be displaying members' work in the reception area at the Civic Offices, Epping. At the Copped Hall open day on Sunday, August 30, society member Peter Cartwright will be painting a huge picture of Copped Hall, leaving space for visitors to add something to the painting - an animal, person, bush, tree, flower or whatever they choose. The society meets twice a month on the first Friday and a Wednesday later in the month with a different topic or subject for each meeting. Members work in any medium they prefer, maybe watercolours or acrylics, pen and ink, or oils. Meetings are held at 7.30pm in the hall underneath the Methodist Church with a break at about at 8.30pm for a cup of tea. At the end of the meeting photographs are taken of the work for inclusion in the monthly newsletter. The next Friday practical is on Friday, July 6, with a life drawing session with model Amanda. Friday meetings are for members only (£2). The Wednesday meeting at Pelly Court always has a speaker or demonstration. Doors open at 7.30pm. On Wednesday, July 11, Graham Slimming will be talking about Barcelona, the birthplace of Modern Art. Admission is £3 for non-members (members £2). New members joining now will be offered a reduced subscription of £5 from July. For more information, visit www.wix.com/eppingartsociety/details , email Roger at [email protected] or ring Sally on 01992 560807.

Flash floods hit Epping 8.46pm - 30th May 2012

PARTS of Epping have been hit by flash floods following this evening's torrential rain. Everything Epping Forest has received one report that at least one property in The Orchards, off Bower Hill, has been flooded while another has flood water in its porch. Sally Ford (@sally_x_ford on Twitter) posted this picture of The Orchards on Twitter saying: "I cannot believe what I'm seeing." Another Twitter user commenting on the picture thought the water was the result of a burst water main. Meanwhile a large area of the town green near the Civic Offices is under water. A fire crew was called to deal with a reported incident in High Road, North Weald. At the height of the downpour, which included hailstones, drivers had to pull over along Epping New Road such was the force of the torrential rain. George Booth, of the Epping Weather Station - www.eppingweather.co.uk - recorded 0.75ins (19.1mm) of rain in 20 minutes.

Dawn Maliqi (@DawnMaliqi on Twitter) sent Everything Epping Forest this picture of the water coming through the road in Bower Hill, Epping click here

Natalie Chevin (@NatChevin on Twitter) wrote: That picture of The Orchards is incredible.

Have you any pictures of this evening's flash floods? Email [email protected]

Four schools receives Artsmark award 5.15pm - 30th May 2012

FOUR schools in the district have achieved an Artsmark in the latest round of the awards programme. Alderton Infants School, Debden Park High School, Leverton Infant and Nursery School, Nazeing Primary School are among 32 schools and colleges in Essex to receive the award. Artsmark is the national programme that enables schools, further education colleges and youth justice settings to evaluate, celebrate and strengthen a quality arts offer. The programme aims to support and recognise formal education institutions that deliver rich and high quality arts provision. Essex county councillor Stephen Castle, cabinet member for education, said: "Congratulations to all the Essex schools who have been awarded an Artsmark. "It is pleasing to see so many education settings building arts provision into their curriculum, giving even more young people the opportunity to experience what the arts can offer."

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For more information visit at www.artsmark.org.uk

MP welcomes election register shake -up 5.02pm - 30th May 2012

A PROPOSED shake-up of the election registration system is "long overdue", according to Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing who is backing changes designed to improve the accuracy of the register. At the moment, the head of a household fills in the details of those living in a property but ministers want people to register individually to combat fraud. Those refusing could be issued with a "parking-style" fine by local councils. Labour said fines could only be justified if they were an incentive to register and they must be "reasonable". Speaking in a debate on the issue, Mrs Laing - who has been pressing for this change for many years and has raised the matter in debates in the House of Commons many times - said the Bill which contains the proposed changes is "will improve the electoral register's comprehensiveness and accuracy". Mrs Laing said: "It is long overdue. It is absurd that, in the 21st century, a person's right to vote depends on the head of household filling in a form". She added: "Each individual member of our society should be responsible for registering themselves to vote and should have the vote that they deserve. "I have never understood why the Labour party has been so reluctant for the last two Parliaments to go ahead with that obvious modernisation of our electoral administration system." Mrs Laing added: "My greatest concern is the idea that young people will not register to vote if their mother or father does not fill in the form for them. What absolute nonsense! "I shall go further: if a young person cannot organise the filling in of a form that registers them to vote, they do not deserve the right to vote. "If someone is responsible enough to exercise their right to vote to decide the Government of this country, or at any level of local government, they should be responsible enough to register to vote."

Football club seeks sponsor 10.00am - 30th May 2012

AN Epping football team is hoping to net a sponsor ahead of the new season. Epping Athletic, a Sunday team, is appealing for business support to help cover the £500 cost of training equipment and new kit which will carry the sponsor's name. Coach Liam Stedman said: "We have a great bunch of local lads ranging from 17 to late 30s. The club has been running for about eight years and could really benefit from a sponsor. "With anything these days there is growing financial costs to running such clubs and I'm worried for the future of the club if we do not receive some financial support." Any businesses who would be interested in supporting Epping Athletic can email Liam at [email protected]

Lodge supports village scout group 7.27am - 30th May 2012

THE 3rd North Weald Scout Group has 32 new chairs and three new tables after it was given £500 by the North Weald Bassett Lodge. The previous chairs and tables were not foldable so had to be kept in the main hall at all times making the playing of certain games impossible during winter months. Thomas Moore and Derek Tringham presented the cheque to Nikki Smith-Pryor on behalf of the North Weald Bassett Lodge. The scout group is very grateful for such a large donation and the children thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. Thomas said: "In my office as Charity Steward it is always a great pleasure presenting donations of this kind. This one, however, was something very special. The children were absolutely fantastic, well mannered and obedient throughout. "I have great praise for the good work that Nikki is doing together with all the team. The award (through the North Weald Parish Council Citizen of the Year award scheme) they have recently received for their good efforts does not surprise me." North Weald Bassett Lodge of Freemasons was formed in March 1972 by a number of Freemasons of which a number were North Weald residents and with Royal Air Force connections. One of the many objectives of Freemasons is to support charities and community-type organisations and it was decided that in celebrating the Lodge's 40th anniversary it would be appropriate to identify a local organisation within North Weald. Thomas added: "Scouting nationally has been well supported by Freemasons throughout England therefore it was an easy decision to support the North Weald Scouts. " It is, therefore, very rewarding to see that they have utilized the donation very wisely." The Beavers received the parish council's youth award with beaver scout leader Nikki Smith-Pryor.

Students become crime slueths 7.24am - 30th May 2012

STUDENTS at Bancroft's School became forensics experts for the day. The scenario was fictitious although the methods the children were encouraged to employ were based on those used by real -life forensics teams. During a presentation, James Finger, of Education Interactive, an ex-member of the New South Wales Police, presented "A Case of Conspiracy?" He gave the children a crime scenario - a drug dealer had been found murdered and an 18-year-old bricklayer arrested. However the bricklayer continues to protest his innocence. Has he been framed or is he guilty? The children had to visit ten stations to collect evidence and answer a series of questions to solve the crime. The stations included an autopsy report, trace evidence, fingerprints, ballistics and DNA. The children learnt how forensic science helps police solve crimes. They discovered how forensic evidence is gathered, how it is analysed and how the results are compiled to provide a detailed picture of the events leading up to a crime and of the criminal even when eyewitness accounts are not available. The afternoon also showed students how the methods and experiments that they are using in the school laboratory are developed and applied in the real world. Jessica Richardson, 13, said: "It was good because it was a realistic view into forensic science and it was interactive." Tom Olive, 13, said: "It was fun and educational."

Nazeing group enjoys Westminster visit 5.29pm - 29th May 2012

A PARTY from the Nazeing Association for the Elderly and Handicapped were given a

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tour of Westminster when they were hosted by their MP Robert Halfon. The group was shown around the Houses of Parliament and learned about the history of the Palace of Westminster when they made the journey to London. Mr Halfon said: "It was a pleasure to meet with the members from Nazeing Association for the Elderly and Handicapped and to have the opportunity to show them around the House of Commons."

Willingale solicitor is police role candidate 5.26pm - 29th May 2012

WILLINGALE solicitor and English Democrats chairman Robin Tilbrook is the party's candidate for the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner election in November. Mr Tilbrook and two other candidates attended the Association of Chief Police Officers Conference in Manchester. The English Democrats are selecting their candidates for Police and Crime Commissioners for the 38 police forces across England which will have elections on November 15. The Police and Crime Commissioners will replace the police authorities with a directly elected commissioner with the power to hire and fire the Chief Constable and allocate the police force's budget and set priority policies. Mr Tilbrook said: "Our manifesto has good old fashioned English common-sense policies for policing and I expect will strongly appeal to the electorates of most English Constabularies. "Elected English Democrats' Police and Crime Commissioners will purge their police forces of political correctness and focus their police forces on catching real criminals and maintaining traditional English Law and Order rather than Politically Correct social engineering projects or excessive harassment of motorists as an easy target to enable Chief Constables to claim inflated clear-up rates. "If elected I shall remove motoring offences from Essex police statistics so that the clear- up rate of real crime is clear to Essex's voters. "I also intend to seek a mandate from the people of Essex that every police station should fly the Cross of St George,. that 'communities' budgets are used to promote Essex's celebrations of St George's Day and upon a zero tolerance attitude on the part of Essex's police force to petty crime and anti-social behaviour, that blights so many of our communities. "I fully intend to use the Police Commissioners power to dismiss the Chief Constable in the event of non-compliance."

Are you holding a jubilee street party? 4.55pm - 29th May 2012

ARE you holding a jubilee street party over the Bank Holiday weekend? Everything Epping Forest is covering jubilee events across the district but needs to know when many of the smaller events are taking place. In addition to the large celebrations in Debden (Saturday) Ongar, Moreton and Theydon Bois (Bank Holiday Monday) and North Weald and Waltham Abbey (Bank Holiday Tuesday), numerous street parties are being planned. Are you involved with the street parties which Everything Epping Forest understands are being held in The Broadway, Queens Road, York Hill, Woodbury Hill, Hillcrest Road, Priory Road, Greensted Road, Southern Drive, Chequers Road, Hillcroft, South View Road, Dunmow Close, River Way and Malvern Gardens in Loughton? Email information about your jubilee celebrations to [email protected] or ring David Jackman on 07710 447868.

New Waltham Abbey mayor elected 4.53pm - 29th May 2012

COUNCILLOR Liz Webster has been elected, by a unanimous vote, as the new mayor of Waltham Abbey. Outgoing mayor Antony Watts congratulated Mrs Webster on her appointment as he invested her with the chain of office. Mrs Webster gave a brief address to the assembled meeting and guests saying: "I am so proud to be taking on this role, following in the footsteps of my grandfather and both parents as town mayor to this unique town, and I am delighted to be appointed to the post in this most important year for the town." One of her first duties will be to meet Marina Mightier at the Sparks Will Fly event at the Waltham Abbey Town Show on June 24. Mrs Webster will also greet the Olympic Torch when it visits Waltham Abbey on Saturday, July 7. Councillor Stuart Pryde was unanimously elected as deputy mayor for the forthcoming year. Councillor Richard James was elected as council leader with councillor Antony Watts as his deputy.

Town mayor Liz Webster receives the chain of office from councillor Antony Watts click here

Freeman of Town honour presented 4.51pm - 29th May 2012

FREEMAN of the Town awards have been presented by Waltham Abbey Town Council to Peter Riley and Tricia Gurnett. The award recognises the outstanding service that they have given to the community. Peter Riley told the audience of council members and invited guests of the honour he felt, and how much he had enjoyed his time on the council. Tricia Gurnett, who is closely involved in King Harold Day as well as other tourism-based activities in the town, was moved by the presentation as she had taken Waltham Abbey to her heart many years ago. A framed citation was presented to the two new Freemen by mayor Antony Watts. Their names will be engraved on the Roll of Honour which hangs in the council chamber in Waltham Abbey Town Hall.

Peter Riley click here and Tricia Gurnett click here receive their Freeman of the Town awards from Waltham Abbey mayor Antony Watts

Student third in national poetry competition 4.50pm - 29th May 2012

CHIGWELL School student Dominic Tunks has come third in a national poetry competition. He achieved his success in the SATIPS (Support and Training in Prep Schools) competition in the Year 3-4 group. Dominic, nine, wrote a colourful poem inspired by Kit Wright's 'The Magic Box'.

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Dominic's form tutor, Rosalyn Philip, said that each year Chigwell pupils are encouraged to enter the competition and write in many different styles of poetry. Dominic's poem was one of a collection sent from the KS2 classes. The competition attracts about 1,000 entries a year from schools across the country. It is judged by a highly respected poet each year with recent judges including David Morley, Luke Kennard and Gillian Clarke.

Couple homeless after flat fire 4.48pm - 29th May 2012

AN investigation is underway into the cause of a fire at a flat in Chigwell which left a couple homeless. Three fire crews - from Loughton and Epping - were called to the first-floor property in Copperfield at about 3.30am today. A spokesman said the flat was 30 per cent alight. Crews wearing breathing apparatus took about an hour to deal with the fire. Leading firefighter Darren Waite, from Loughton Fire Station, said: "The residents had called 999 and got safely out of the flat before the arrival of the fire service. "The building contained eight flats and smoke had affected some of the neighbouring properties. The crews' quick actions prevented the fire from spreading to the other flats." He added: Crews made a check of the adjacent flats to make sure everyone was accounted for and led to safety a woman from one of the flats. Fortunately no one was hurt at the incident. "The couple who lived in the flat where the fire had started have been made homeless following the fire."

Jewellery gang target elderly women 7.50am - 29th May 2012

POLICE are urging people to be on their guard following a number of incidents of a group approaching elderly women to offer them jewellery as "a gift from God". Incidents were reported to police yesterday (Monday) in the Bakers Lane car park, Epping, and Ongar High Street. As the group confuse the victim they remove their jewellery and leave them with various items of rings and necklaces of fake jewellery making off with the real items. The two men and two women are described as Eastern European gypsy looking and all aged in their late 40s. The women had dark hair and long, floral-patterned skirts. The group ask their victims about the hospital and make them believe they are lost and need help. They have been linked with a black, four door saloon car. One eyewitness has told police they thought the car was hand painted. Crime reduction officer Tony Ellis said: "Please keep an eye open for these unscrupulous individuals. "They approached an elderly lady in her own front garden. They confused her and very professionally removed her jewellery replacing it with 'rubbish' items so much so that the lady didn't realise until later that her necklace she had been wearing was stolen. "If you believe you have spotted them in action call it in as a 999 immediately."

School hosting pirate party 7.48am - 29th May 2012

COOPERSALE Hall School is opening its doors and Adventure Playground to host a Pirate Party on Saturday, June 23. Aimed at three to six-year olds - and their brothers and sisters - the party will feature plenty of fun and games, the Adventure Playground and a pirate fancy dress competition, treasure hunt, story-telling and refreshments. Admission is free for families. The party runs from 9.30am until 11am. Pirates will be rewarded with goody bags and maybe some hidden treasure. Parents need to attend, but do not have to dress up. Plenty of parking is available at the school, which is down the hill from Epping Station near Epping Golf Course.

Jubilee beacon will be lit in Loughton 5.04pm - 28th May 2012

A JUBILEE beacon will be lit on the Hillyfields open space in Loughton at 10.15pm on Bank Holiday Monday. This is part of the national tribute which will see more than 4,000 beacons lit across the country to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Queen will light the National Beacon in London at 10.30pm. Local residents are invited to gather on Hillyfields, just off Rectory Lane / Pyrles Lane, from 9.30pm where the town council will broadcast the live radio transmission of the Diamond Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. Residents are advised to take their own refreshments and a torch, although glow sticks will be handed out. They are also recommended to wear comfortable shoes. Town council clerk Enid Walsh said: "We hope that following the other weekend celebratory events including Debden Day in The Broadway on Saturday and various street parties on Sunday and Monday, residents will stroll across to Hillyfields with family and friends to enjoy the music in the build-up to the short lighting ceremony at 10.15pm." The beacon is of a 'Church Tower' style specially designed for the Diamond Jubilee with a diamond-shaped burner unit on top of a tripod powered by propane gas. Loughton Town Council is grateful for the sponsorship of Inderpal Matharu, director of the RK Group, a major building and construction firm based at the Loughton Business Centre, Langston Road.

Vandals target closed tennis courts 5.01pm - 28th May 2012

THE newly-refurbished tennis courts on the Roding Valley recreation ground in Loughton have been vandalised after the town council was forced to close the courts because of the hot weather. The closure decision was taken to protect the new tarmacadam surface which was laid as part of the £70,000 refurbishment. Town council clerk Enid Walsh said the closure is necessary throughout the first 12 months after the new surfacing is laid whenever the temperature rises above 24 degrees to comply with the terms of the contractor's guarantee, otherwise the costs of repairs to the surfacing will have to be borne by the council and ultimately the local taxpayers. All entrance gates to the courts have been padlocked and signs clearly explaining the reason for the closure displayed around the perimeter fencing. Since the closure was introduced a section of fencing near one of the gates opposite the Loughton Athletic Club building has been damaged to gain entry to the courts. Mrs Walsh said: "We are extremely disappointed that someone considered it acceptable

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to ignore the signs and damaged a section of fencing.. This was discovered by the park warden on her Sunday morning inspection. "Many people including adults were later observed playing tennis and football on several of the courts before repairs could be completed. It would appear that such was the desire to play tennis there was little regard to the long-term well-being of the courts." Councillor David Wixley, chairman of the town council's recreation committee, expressed his disappointment and said this was a demonstration of the selfishness of some irresponsible people.

Vehicle boost for air ambulance crew 4.22pm - 28th May 2012

THE Herts Air Ambulance is being backed up with a new response vehicle thanks to emergency vehicle services and repair specialists, Essex Emergency Services 2000 Ltd. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust Clinical Manager Stuart Elms took delivery of the Volvo 4x4 on at North Weald Airfield, home of the Herts Air Ambulance. Stuart said: "Essex Emergency Services 2000 have vast experience of working with all the emergency services in both London and the east of England. "Owners Bill and Jacqui were able to supply the Herts Air Ambulance a dedicated high specification Volvo response car and back it up with 24-hour cover. "The knowledge of Essex Emergency Services 2000 and their ability to provide this degree of service is second to none. "This vehicle will allow the doctor and critical care paramedic HEMS team to continue to attend the same types of serious incidents and deliver the same high level of critical care using the full range of life-saving medical equipment and drugs if the helicopter is grounded due to weather conditions. "Essex Emergency Services 2000 have delivered us the ability to keep saving lives." Bill McKenna, from Essex Emergency Services 2000, said: "We have already worked with Essex Air Ambulance to modify and undertake the livery for their BMW X3 response car which was handed over to them in 2007. "We are very pleased to once again be helping our local Essex & Herts Air Ambulance service by sponsoring them with one of our own cars and hope to be able to give them the support for many years to come." The response car will be used in cases when the helicopter cannot respond such as adverse weather conditions or during unplanned maintenance - meaning the HEMS crew can still reach the scene of an incident and provide the same critical care to the patient as the vehicle carries full life-saving equipment exactly like the helicopter.

Jacqui Wilson, of Essex Emergency Services 2000, hands over the keys to Critical Care Paramedic John McCusker with Air Crew Doctor Raj Maroju click here

(left to right) Air Crew Doctor Raj Majoju, Chief Pilot David-Kerr Sheppard and Critical Care Paramedic John McCusker click here

Police helicopter joins search 1.31pm - 28th May 2012

THE Essex Police helicopter was called in to help with a search in North Weald in the early hours of this morning (Monday). The crew searched for people "seen in suspicious circumstances". A large area was searched for officers on the ground. No other details have so far been released regarding the incident.

Haslers staff undertaking Olympic challenge 12.45pm - 28th May 2012

STAFF at Loughton-based accountants Haslers, through its charitable Foundation, have upped the stakes in an Olympic-themed charity event to raise money for a children's charity. Forty-two members of the Haslers team are taking part in the 'Gold Challenge' linked with the Olympics to support Kids Inspire, a children's charity that helps the disadvantaged and troubled young people of Essex become valued members of society. The firm has already donated over £1,000 to the charity, but the team wants to do more. That is why they have signed up to the 2012km challenge which sees the team complete 2012kms by running, walking, jogging, skipping, swimming, cycling - any form of traveling other than a plane, train or car - before the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. However as the team have been so successful they have raised the bar. HR manager Christine Inch, who is organising the challenge, said: "The idea is to complete 2,012 kms before the Olympics but in February our 42-strong team clocked up 2,141 kms and in March we clocked up 2,394 kms. "Because of this outstanding success we've upped the challenge, by hitting an average of 2,012 kms every month until the opening ceremony. "We're hoping our charity event will encourage the wider public to sponsor us, enabling us to contribute more to Kids Inspire." The team at Haslers have launched a Just Giving page for people to make donations - www.justgiving.com/HaslersOlympicChallenge2012 For more on the Gold Challenge visit www.goldchallenge.org

The team at Haslers are aiming to complete 2,012 kms per month to raise money for Kids Inspire click here

Bancroft's pupils sponsor taxi 11.49am - 28th May 2012

PUPILS at Bancroft's School's East House have sponsored a taxi so that a sick child can experience the trip of a lifetime - in a taxi to Disneyland Paris. The students' contribution supports the Magical Taxi Tour on October 12-14. The pupils presented the money to Phil Davis, from the charity click here The taxis will be seen off from Canary Wharf by the Lord Mayor of the City of London. The event has been organised annually by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers for the past 19 years. To date 1,900 taxis have taken almost 3,500 children on this trip of a lifetime giving them a break from their world of treatment and therapy. Although the London cabbies give freely of their time and use of their black cabs, £1,250 is needed per taxi to meet the expenses of hotel, fuel, food and admission charges. In addition, the convoy travels with a team of 12 paramedics and eight doctors, all of whom volunteer their time. The taxis are also accompanied by an escort of Metropolitan Police and Parisian Gendarmes, as well as the AA in case of breakdowns. Tour organiser Phil Davis, who lives in Chigwell and has been a taxi driver for 40 years, said many of the children who benefit are local as the charity works closely with Chase Farm Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Royal London Hospital. This is the third successive year that Bancroft's pupils have sponsored a taxi. Last year Fintan, a four-year-old boy with lateral retinoblastoma - a cancer which

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develops in the cells of the retina - travelled in the East House taxi. He was incredibly excited about his holiday, which began when the Blues and Royals marching band helped to wave off the impressive three mile-long convoy. On return, his mother, Fiona, said he had a fantastic time and did not stopping talking about the trip. This year the pupils raised the money through a Wild West themed evening. For the members of the Upper Sixth (Year 13) this was an emotional presentation as it was their final East House event before they leave Bancroft's tomorrow.

Mower stolen from cricket club 11.47am - 28th May 2012

A MOWER has been stolen from Willingale Cricket Club. Police are urging people to look out for a vehicle suspected of being involved in the theft, and to ensure that any sheds or outbuildings are secured. Police are appealing for information about a white short-wheel base Ford Transit van with the registration number SG** YEY and three white men aged 20 -30. A second shed was damaged at the time of the theft.

E-fit issued in hunt for burglar 7.56am - 28th May 2012

POLICE have released an efit image of a man they want to interview following a burglary at a home in Loughton. At about 10.50am on Friday, March 23, a man knocked on the door of a home in Hillyfields claiming he was from the water board and needed to check the water pressure. A four figure sum of cash and a silver charm bracelet was later found stolen. The man was white, in his 30s, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with short dark hair. Anyone with any information as to the identity of the man should contact PC Jody Greenfield on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The efit issued by police hunting for a burglar who called at a house in Hillyfields, Loughton click here

Crowds flock to mansion open day 2.30pm - 27th May 2012

A BUMPER attendance is expected at Copped Hall, Epping, as the mansion held an open day. Visitors could tour the historic mansion and enjoy refreshments either inside the house or in the extensive grounds where there was a display of old vehicles, and homemade cakes and tea and coffee on sale in the racquets court. Visitors could also wander through the walled garden.

Copped Hall PICTURE 1

The walled garden at Copped Hall PICTURE 2

The floral beds at Copped Hall PICTURE 3 PICTURE 4 PICTURE 5 PICTURE 6 PICTURE 7 PICTURE 8 PICTURE 9

Visitors could see a demonstration of butter-making in the kitchens PICTURE 10 PICTURE 11

Jubilee street fayre - "a truly remarkable day" 8.15am - 27th May 2012

THE chairman of Buckhurst Hill Parish Council has thanked everyone involved in making the Buckhurst Hill jubilee street fayre a "truly remarkable day". Hundreds of people descended on Queen's Road which was closed to traffic yesterday afternoon. In addition to various stalls there was the result of a children's competition to draw a picture of the Queen, a stiltwalker, steel band and doggy fashion show. Parish council chairman Gavin Chambers said: "It was truly a remarkable event to note the diamond jubilee and where else could we hold such an event other than Queen's Road. "The whole community came together, young and old. I really want to thank everyone who took part in the fayre. This is a day that Buckhurst Hill will never forget. "The children's Queen drawing event was the highlight of my day and the children and parents must be very proud. This event I hope will have supported the local traders and local organisations that work hard all year round to make our parish unique. "I would like to personally thank our hardworking MP Eleanor Laing and county councillor Valarie Metcalfe, and the hard working parish clerk Val Evans for their support on the day. "Addtionally I must not forget to give a special thank you to the three residents who sat on the working group - Margaret Drew, Margaret Sinfleild (Buckhurst Hill Residents Society) and Hazel Duncan - for making the day such a special event." Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing said: "I have never seen so many people in Queen's Road! It was great to see everyone coming together in celebratory mood. "Congratulations must go to the parish council and the working group for organising the event, to the children who took part in the drawing competition and to the many shops and businesses which decorated their windows. "It is a shame that we cannot have jubilee celebrations every year!"

For a slideshow of pictures click here

For information on how to order prints of any of the pictures featured, email [email protected] or ring David Jackman on 07710 447868.

Crowds turn out for Buckhurst Hill jubilee fayre 7.02pm - 26th May 2012

CROWDS turned out for Buckhurst Hill's celebrations to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Queen's Road was closed to traffic this afternoon as the road was turned into a pedestrianised area bedecked by bunting, stalls - and even a red carpet catwalk for a doggy fashion show! Buckhurst Hill Residents' Society, the Friends of Epping Forest and the Buckhurst Hill branch of the Royal British Legion had stalls along the street as several local businesses also had outside stands. There was a steel band and stiltwalker, and a doggy fashion show organised by local business Puppy Kit.

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At the start of the afternoon's festivities children from St John's Primary School and Buckhurst Hill Community Primary School were presented with medals by Buckhurst Hill Parish Council chairman Gavin Chambers for their pictures of the Queen. Mr Chambers and local county councillor Valerie Metcalfe judged the jubilee shop window competition. The winners were announced by Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing. The winning business was beauty salon Fingertips with Home Sweet Home second and Puppy Kit third. Highly commended were Crème, Scarlet (the St Clare Hospice designer charity shop) and Briannash. The fayre was organised by Buckhurst Hill Parish Council.

For a slideshow of pictures click here

For information on how to order prints of any of the pictures featured, email [email protected] or ring David Jackman on 07710 447868.

Council launches jubilee window competition 4.38pm - 25th May 2012

SHOPS and businesses in Loughton can take part in the town council's jubilee-themed decorated window competition. Any shop or business which has a window decorated in a jubilee theme will be automatically eligible for the competition (no need to apply) which will be judged by mayor Stephen Pewsey and deputy mayor Jill Angold-Stephens on Friday, June 1. The competition follows the popular annual Christmas window competition. The winner will receive a framed certificate and £100 for their nominated charity. Runners-up and highly-commended entries will receive a framed certificate. With the bunting already up in The Broadway and the High Road soon to follow the town council hopes as many shops and businesses as possible will be decorating their windows in the run -up to the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend to ensure the town looks its best and creates a celebration atmosphere. Loughton Town Council has already sent congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen on behalf of Loughton residents together, and included a copy of the special jubilee edition of the town council's award-winning newsletter 'Think Loughton'. The window displays will be judged on a range of criteria, including overall impression / visual impact, creativity / ideas, artistic merit, inventive use of materials and effort. All decorations must be in place by Thursday (May 31).

Sainsbury joins Debden Day sponsors 3.15pm - 25th May 2012

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury is the latest sponsor of Debden Day on Saturday, June 2. Loughton mayor Stephen Pewsey received a cheque for £100 on behalf of Broadway Town Centre Partnership from Sainsbury Debden manager Matt Hazell who also provided store vouchers for the traders' raffle. The store is one of 25 sponsors supporting this year's jubilee-themed event. Described by Broadway Town Centre Partnership chairman Dave Stannard as a "right royal knees up", there will be a jubilee street party and concerts from 9.45am to 4pm with the event continuing into the evening from 7pm until late, in and around The Broadway. Everyone is invited to go along and meet pearly kings and queens, old time music hall characters, king and queen of hearts, beefeaters and guardsmen. The Broadway will be pedestrianised for the day with attractions including free fairground rides, bouncy castles and face painting, plus flags and hats for the children. There will also be a senior citizens' Diamond Jubilee meal sponsored by Loughton Town Council. The event starts at 9.45am with a grand Diamond Jubilee parade through The Broadway, led by the Royal British Legion and followed by dignitaries in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by representatives from local schools, colleges and organisations who are involved in the entertainment for the day. The Broadway is already decorated with Union Jack bunting complementing the red, white and blue flower baskets provided by the town council. Additional fairground stalls, craft and local interest stalls, plus the attendance of the police, fire brigade and ambulance services, will provide non-stop entertainment and fun for all the family. The event is organised by Loughton Broadway Town Centre Partnership together with the Debden Traders Association and supported by Loughton town and Epping Forest district Councils.

Lo ughton mayor Stephen Pewsey with Sainsbury store manager Matt Hazel click here

Winning hospice lottery numbers 3.13pm - 25th May 2012

THE winner of this week's £1,000 jackpot in the St Clare Hospice lottery lives in Harlow. The winning number is 323677. The winner of the £100 second prize lives in Old Harlow. The winning number is 177627. For information about how to join the lottery, visit www.stclarehospice.org.uk or ring 01279 773730 (Monday-Friday 9.30am-1.30pm)..

Man trapped in road crash 11.54am - 25th May 2012

FIREFIGHTERS took about 40 minutes to free a man trapped in his vehicle following a road crash in Abbess Roding. Two crews - from Ongar and Old Harlow - were called to Horsecroft shortly before 9am. An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said two vehicles were involved in the collision which left one man "medically trapped". Hydraulic cutting equipment was used to free the man by 9.35am.

Students take to catwalk for charity 11.34am - 25th May 2012

STUDENTS at West Hatch High School took to the catwalk for the annual fashion show which this year was supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital. In addition to the outfits which were made and modelled by the students, there was also several performances by GCSE music students. The pupils made and served refreshments and the evening also featured the sale of jewellery. The event was a joint collaboration with the High Road school's CACHE department. The school's head of textiles, Naz Hussain, said: "The event was part of West Hatch High

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School's fashion week and the theme was fancy dress. "This consisted of using recycled clothing to design and make outfits based on underlying areas such as Glamour, Disney and the 1950s." Year 10 GCSE students planned all parts of the show, focusing on areas such as make- up, with the help of Angala Sharma, from the school's CACHE department, and Katy Amroon, from Drama . The evening raised about £320.

For a slideshow of pictures click here

Nazeing walk will celebrate jubilee 9.37am - 25th May 2012

NAZEING Footpaths Group and Nazeing History Workshop are holding a guided walk exploring Nazeing's royal connections to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The walk sets off at 10am on Bank Holiday Tuesday (June 5) almost opposite the King Harold's Head pub at Bumbles Green Leisure Centre, EN9 2SF, where parking is available. The walk will be about five miles and is expected to take between two-and-a-half and three hours. The route will feature Nazeing Common, where there are superb views and skylarks and other birds are often to be seen. The walk is of medium difficulty and may be muddy in parts, so stout footwear is recommended. Dogs under close control welcome. There is a suggested donation of £1 per person.

Lorry driver dies in M25 crash 7.13am - 25th May 2012

A LORRY driver has died in a crash involving three lorries on the M25. Two of the vehicles caught fire following the collision which happened on the clockwise carriageway between the M11 (junction 27) and A12 (junction 28) at about 1am. Seven fire crews - from Epping, Loughton, Harlow, Brentwood and Clacton - were called to the scene. Firefighters, some wearing breathing apparatus, used foam to bring the fire under control and searched inside the vehicles for any casualties who may have been inside. The clockwise carriageway remains closed. Motorists trying to find an alternative route are having their rush-hour travel complicated because of another crash, on the A414 at Canes Lane, North Weald, which is resulting in long tailbacks.

Council looking forward to "fruitful" year 9.53pm - 24th May 2012

BUCKHURST Hill Parish Council is looking forward to a "productive and fruitful year" following its "challenging" last 12 months which saw a mass resignation of councillors, its chairman has said. A resume of the last year was given by council chairman Gavin Chambers at tonight's parish assembly. Mr Chambers thanked the council's staff, and in particular acting clerk Val Evans, for their work during the past year. He said Mrs Evans had done a "fantastic and terrific job". Mr Chambers highlighted just some of the council's work over the past year. The local allotments are managed by Buckhurst Hill Leisure Gardens, with financial input from the parish council. The council runs two community halls, playground and ball courts and publishes free newsletters for the local community. Mr Chambers encouraged local organisations to submit articles for future editions. During the winter months, the council also provided salt bins for the local roads and pavements.

Buckhurst Hill parish councillors at tonight's parish assembly, with (front right) acting clerk Val Evans click here

Alarm alerts resident to blaze 4.03pm - 24th May 2012

A SMOKE alarm at a house in Beaconfield Road, Epping, alerted the resident to a tumble dryer on fire. Two fire crews, from Epping and Loughton, were called to the property shortly after 1pm today. The fire was out when they arrived. The crews ventilated the property and made the tumble dryer safe. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service offers home fire safety visits to vulnerable members of the community. For more details, ring 0845 601 2495 to see if you are eligible.

Hospice volunteers enjoy tea at Palace 3.59pm - 24th May 2012

LONG-serving St Clare Hospice volunteers Liz Jones and Audrey Marlow were treated like royalty themselves when they attended the Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. An official photographer was on hand to capture the moment as they prepared to leave the hospice at Hastingwood in a chauffeur-driven limousine kindly provided for the day by funeral directors Daniel Robinson and Sons. Liz, who lives in Epping, said: "For me it was the day an ambition was realised. As a young teenager, at the time of the Coronation, I had stood outside as we wildly cheered the newly-crowned Queen. "Nearly 60 years later, with Audrey and around 5,000 other guests, I walked into the courtyard at Buckingham Palace, past the red-coated guards, through the grand entrance hall - and out onto the sunlit lawns. "It was a dazzling scene. Rhododendrons and roses, fashionable dresses and wedding cake hats, morning dress, grey toppers and furled umbrellas and cooling fresh lemonade on the first really warm day of summer, a delicious Ritz-style tea, and the music of Glen Miller played by the superb band of RAF Northolt as we sat by the lake with an ice cream." The pair also caught a glimpse of the Queen as she talked with specially selected guests. Audrey, who has been involved with the Harlow Friends of St Clare Hospice for 22 years and who has helped at least one day a week at the hospice for 19 years, said: "We had an absolutely fantastic time. The whole thing was lovely. "The icing on the cake was having the chauffeur-driven limousine there and back. Derek

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(Oakley) was absolutely lovely. It was just a really, really lovely day." Liz and Audrey received their in-house award marking their 20 years' of volunteering with St Clare Hospice last year.

Raffle winner snaps up work of art 1.11pm - 24th May 2012

LOUGHTON Arts Centre has drawn the winner of its first raffle. Winner Mike Evans won a framed limited edition fine art print by photographer Chris Simmons' 'Seascape Portfolio' exhibition. Mike said: "It's a fantastic shot by a brilliant photographer of a benign sea but people must always treat the sea with respect." Mike has loved the sea from a young age when his grandparents took him to Margate to go fishing. He would often see the lifeboat launched and this inspired him for the last 35 years to don his oilskins and raise funds for the RNLI. A well-known figure locally, Mike and his wife Jill along with the Loughton and Woodford branch, have worked tirelessly to raise well over £250,000. Loughton Arts Centre at Lopping Hall would like to thank Chris for generously donating one of his works to help raise funds for the centre. The money raised will be used to encourage and support local people to exhibit their art. Chris said: "As a local photographer and art lover I was very happy to support Loughton Arts Centre. It injects a much needed shot in the arm to Lopping Hall and a cultural boost for the High Road. "I hope Mike and Jill enjoy their prize as it could not have gone to a worthier home."

Mike Evans and Chris Simmons with his limited edition prize click here

West Hatch students join Toddle Waddle 12.54pm - 24th May 2012

YEAR 12 and 13 students at West Hatch High School joined with St Paul's Christian Playgroup for the annual Toddle Waddle. The event involved the High Road school's CACHE Department and 30 children, aged between two and four, from the playgroup along with family and friends from the playgroup. Over £400 has already been raised for the Meningitis Trust with more donations still being collected. The CACHE girls organised a successful cake sale, carried out face painting and wore yellow for the occasion, with customised T-shirts. Anjala Sharma, Head of West Hatch High School's CACHE Department and Delia Ware, manager of St Paul's Playgroup, were delighted with the enthusiasm shown by everyone involved, and are already looking forward to next year's Toddle Waddle. Anjala said: "The sun shone and everyone involved had an enjoyable morning waddling around the duck pond with their duck masks and feet."

New incidents in roadside 'jewellery scam' 8.47am - 24th May 2012

TWO more incidents - in Fyfield and Stapleford Tawney - have come to light since police highlighted a possible jewellery scam involving men who flag down drivers at the roadside. Police said there had been several reports of a man flagging down drivers at junction 26 of the M25 at Waltham Abbey on Sunday. The man told the drivers that he had run out of petrol and offered to swop gold jewellery for cash so he could buy petrol. Everything Epping Forest has now received reports of similar incidents on the B184 Ongar Road, Fyfield, and at Passingford Bridge, Stapleford Tawney. In the Fyfield incident - at about 11am on Tuesday - an old Mercedes car was seen in the layby near Folyats, sticking out into the road. The witness said three men were with the car. Two of the men were waving their hands to stop cars. They had French accents and were olive skinned. It is understood that a similar incident has been reported to police at the M11-A414 junction at Hastingwood. Incidents reported to police since April have involved various vehicles - a gold Renault Megane, a Renault Laguna, a silver VW Passat and a grey Mercedes. PC Simon Reeve, from Basildon East neighbourhood policing team, said: "Where possible we have conducted area searches to find these vehicles when it is reported to us, so we need the public to let us know if they see this so the men can be given suitable words of advice or be arrested for any offences they may have committed. "Their actions appear to be suspicious, and the gold items they are offering could be stolen or fake, so please be wary of anyone offering you such items for cash." Anyone with any information should ring police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 0800 555 111.

Golf club caretaker tied up and left in cupboard 5.43pm - 23rd May 2012

A CARETAKER at North Weald Golf Club was held at knifepoint, tied up and left in a cupboard when masked raiders struck, police have revealed. A police spokesman said two masked men armed with a knife and crowbar called at the caretaker's home and forced him to open the clubhouse at North Weald Golf Course in Rayley Lane. The thieves escaped with a safe, cash from tills and a number of golf trophies. Police were called to the scene at about 11.50pm last night after the caretaker managed to free himself and raise the alarm. It is believed that the thieves struck about an hour to 90 minutes earlier. The caretaker was taken to hospital and treated for shock before being allowed home. Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity near the golf course, especially along the fence near the driving range where the thieves are thought to have got on to the site. Anyone who can help should contact Detective Sergeant Patrick Mullan at Harlow Target Offender Team on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

New chairman chooses his charities 3.14pm - 23rd May 2012

NEWLY-elected Epping Forest District Council chairman Brian Rolfe has chosen The Dream Factory as one of his charities which will benefit from fundraising during his year in office. Mr Rolfe will be holding various fundraising events throughout the next 12 months to support the charity, and also the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs. The Dream Factory was launched in January 2008 by Epping mother Avril Mills after her son, Oliver, aged nine, died from leukaemia. Since then the charity has granted some 150

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dreams for seriously ill children and young adults. It recently announced a partnership with Disneyland Paris which will enable children to have 'dream' breaks at the popular venue. Avril said: "I'm delighted that Brian Rolfe has chosen The Dream Factory as one of his charities for his year in office. There are many worthy causes locally and it is great that Brian has decided to support us. "We look forward to working with the chairman in the next year - his involvement will not only help raise much needed funds for The Dream Factory so we can continue to make dreams come true but it will also help raise awareness of The Dream Factory not just in the district but further afield."

Tributes paid to ousted council leader 1.58pm - 23rd May 2012

DISTRICT councillor Lesley Wagland has been thanked for her contributions to the council and the district during her year as leader. Mrs Wagland lost out in a leadership vote to councillor Chris Whitbread by a single vote earlier this month, 12 months after she was elected to the position in a leadership contest with then leader Di Collins. Speaking at last night's annual council meeting, Mr Whitbread paid tribute to Mrs Wagland's work during the past year. He said: "Once again the Conservative group has achieved its objectives of keeping our council tax low and providing good services to our residents, and that's thanks to the hard work put in by councillor Wagland and her cabinet over the past year, as it has been in previous years by other cabinets and other leaders. "I would like to thank all that team for their efforts last year." Loughton Residents Association councillor Ken Angold-Stephens said: "I would like to say how much we welcome new faces on the Conservative front bench after the annual ritual leadership challenge. "Watching from the side lines, it does give us quiet amusement and I would happy to advise on successful change management if they need it next year! "But more seriously, I would like pay tribute to the last leader (councillor Wagland) and her cabinet on their achievements over the past year against a backdrop in a major reduction in our budget whilst managing not to raise council tax, in particular I would single out the efficient management of the councils finances and the very successful negotiations with our waste management contractor which saved us a great deal of pain which could have impacted on our frontline services."

District council elects new chairman 1.56pm - 23rd May 2012

DISTRICT council chairman Ken Angold-Stephens reflected on his year as he handed over the chain of office to councillor Brian Rolfe. He said it had been "a privilege and honour" to represent the council during a year in which he attended more than 100 events. Mr Angold-Stephens added: "I am proud of all the wonderful organisations and volunteers we have working in our district to make life better for our citizens." During the year his fundraising - which included the 110ft Church Langley water tower abseil - raised between £6,500 and £7,000 for Home Start Epping Forest and St Clare Hospice. Liberal Democrat group leader Jon Whitehouse thanked Mr Angold-Stephens for his efforts saying: "It is no hardship to pay tribute to the sterling service you have given to the council and the community. "You've thrown yourself into the role, you nearly threw yourself into the water at the White Water Centre and have popped up at all sorts of events in the district and beyond great and small." Independent councillor Stephen Murray said Mr Angold-Stephens had been a "first class representative of this council in the wider community". Conservative group leader Chris Whitbread said: "It has been a very successful year for you." Loughton Residents Association councillor Caroline Pond said Mr Angold-Stephens had done "an excellent job" and had always been enthusiastic. Speaking on behalf of the council's officers, acting chief executive Derek Macnab said Mr Angold-Stephens had been a great supporter of many community events across the district which had been very much appreciated by all the staff involved. Epping councillor Will Breare-Hall nominated Brian Rolfe as the new chairman describing him as "one of the friendliest, most helpful and thoroughly decent person one could hope to meet". Mr Rolfe has chosen the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs and The Dream Factory as his charities for the year. Roydon councillor Mary Sartin was elected as the new vice-chairman.

Students perform at church concert 4.22pm - 22nd May 2012

SIX musicians from Chigwell School gave a concert at St John's Church, Epping, in aid of the church's Development Fund. Money raised through the fund will go towards new halls and community space next to the church in St John's Road. Isabella Bird (piano), Beatrice Moore (violin), Alex Bromwich (organ), Sophie Al-Mudallal (flute), Oliver Albert (voice) and Heather Cook (recorder) gave a varied recital of music ranging from Buxtehude and Handel to Debussy and Monti's famous 'Czardas'. The church's Director of Music, Simon Winters - who accompanied the students at the concert which was held on Saturday - said: "It was fantastic to hear such talented and musical performances and for the students to have the opportunity to perform outside the school environment. "The audience was bowled over by all the performances."

Quiz night for The Dream Factory 3.44pm - 22nd May 2012

THE Dream Factory charity is holding a quiz night at the Lakeside Suite, Fairlop Waters, Forest Road, Barkingside, on Saturday, June 16 (7pm for 7.30pm). The Dream Factory founder, Epping mother Avril Mills, said: "This will be a great evening with people able to show off their general knowledge and raise money for the charity at the same time! "We rely on our fundraising events to generate money which we can then spend on making dreams come true for ill children and young adults. It would be great to see some new faces who are interested in supporting The Dream Factory." Tickets, priced £12 - including a fish and chips or chicken and chips supper -are available from Ruth Clark on 020 8518 1743. Avril launched The Dream Factory in January 2008 after her son, Oliver, aged nine, died from leukaemia. The charity will be having a stall in the family area at the Duke of Essex Polo event at

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Gaynes Park, Epping, on Saturday, July 14. And tickets are now on sale for the charity's glittering, star-studded black tie charity ball - The Putting on the Glitz Ball - at The Prince Regent Hotel, Manor Road, Woodford Bridge, on Saturday, November 24, with a champagne reception at 6pm and dinner at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £75 per head, are available from Avril Mills on 07712 619726. For more about The Dream Factory, visit www.yourdreamfactory.org

Police issue warning to M25 motorists 2.50pm - 22nd May 2012

POLICE are urging motorists to be vigilant against a possible scam on A-roads and the M25. Since April, police have received at least six reports of suspicious men who stop their vehicle on the A127 London-bound, just off of the slip for the B148 Dunton junction. They flag other drivers down and say they have run out of petrol, then offer the drivers who swop gold jewellery in exchange for cash to buy petrol at a nearby station. On Sunday, May 20, police received several reports of a man doing the same thing on the M25 westbound slip at junction 26 in Waltham Abbey. In some instances eye-witnesses reported that the man was jumping into the carriageway to flag down drivers. Police have received several reports of different vehicles ranging from a gold Renault Megane, a Renault Laguna, a silver VW Passat and a grey Mercedes. The suspected conmen have sometimes been operating in pairs or on their own and have been described as either dark European-looking or Asian in appearance. PC Simon Reeve, from Basildon East neighbourhood policing team, said: "Where possible we have conducted area searches to find these vehicles when it is reported to us, so we need the public to let us know if they see this so the men can be given suitable words of advice or be arrested for any offences they may have committed. "Their actions appear to be suspicious, and the gold items they are offering could be stolen or fake, so please be wary of anyone offering you such items for cash." Anyone with any information should ring police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Get ready for Abridge Village Weekend 2.24pm - 22nd May 2012

THIS year's Abridge Village Weekend takes place on Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and 24. More than 60 stalls will be at the craft fair at Abridge Village Hall, Ongar Road, on the Saturday (11am-4pm). There will also be an antiques and collectors fair, including stamps, with more than 25 stalls, a vehicle and classic car show, a children's entertainer and a farmers market along with various food stalls, licensed bar and other refreshments. Admission is £2.50 for adults (under-16s free). The Sunday sees the carnival parade which will leave the Pancroft Park at 1pm arriving at the village hall field at about 1.30pm where the children's fancy dress competition will be judged. Entertainment will feature two displays of Lurcher racing - including a race with a Lurcher and a Hawk - a falconry display, the Super Brass New Orleans Marching Jazz Band, the Air Force Cadet Band, majorettes as well as ferret racing and a display of more than 15 birds of prey. There will also be various stalls craft stalls, sideshows, bouncy castles, a mini funfair and refreshments. Admission is £3 for adults (children under-16 free). Parking is free on both days. For more details, ring 01992 812405 or visit www.abridgevillageweekend.co.uk

True blue ladies turning pink for charity 2.04pm - 22nd May 2012

MORE than 50 lady members of Waltham Holy Cross Conservative Club are to wear pink outfits when they take part in a Cancer Research UK Race for Life event. The ladies will be among the hundreds of ladies who will walk, jog or run the 5km course at Trent Park, Enfield, on Sunday, June 17. Club chairman Norman Baker said: "The idea came from one of our lady members - we have about 150 ladies in the club. "We put an 'Anyone Interested?' notice on the noticeboard and the result was astonishing." It is hoped the ladies will raise a total of about £5,000. Norman added: "The girls will be taking part as a team - Olly's Army in honour of Derek 'Olly' Cowley, one of the most popular of Waltham Abbey's residents and a proud member of our club." Each lady will be wearing a pink top, in one of two styles, emblazoned with the team's adopted name. The club and Dave Stocker, the local jeweller, are paying all of the £15 entry fees and the club is also providing a coach to take the fundraisers to the event. m all to and from the event. Afterwards, back at the clubhouse, there will be a raffle, with most of the prizes donated by the women, to raise additional money. Norman said: "From the very first suggestion they have been enthusiastic, magnificent, thorough, and devoted to it. I am immensely proud of them."

Charity foodbank opens in Debden 1.26pm - 22nd May 2012

TUCKED away at the end of a row of business units at The Seedbed Centre, Loughton, is the district's newest charity shop. But not only does it sell clothing, shoes and other donated goods to raise money but it is also a foodbank providing much-needed groceries for needy local people. The venture is run by The Silkworth Trust which provides people in 'food crisis' with food via a voucher scheme. The charity shop and foodbank is in its infancy - it registered takings of just £2.50 on Saturday - but already it is raising its profile in the area. Within about half-an-hour when Everything Epping Forest visited today about half-a- dozen people arrived with bags of goods to donate, and to browse for bargains among the shelves and rails. The Silkworth Trust was founded about two years ago initially to help recovering drug addicts and alcoholics. The charity then recognised the achievements of the Harlow Foodbank, which provides foodstuffs for local people in need, and knew that there was a need for such a charity in the Debden area. Steve Mitchell, the charity's volunteer administrator, told Everything Epping Forest: "We get on average about 40 people a week with vouchers." The vouchers, which entitle the holder to three days' worth of food, are issued by various outlets in the area, including churches and the community mental health team.

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Steve said: "We provide three days of balanced food. We will feed a family or a single person for three days at a time per voucher to get them out of crisis - having no money. "We have clothes and shoes which we sell to raise money for extra food. The one pays for the other." The bulk of the charity's food items come from the Fairshare charity in Bermondsey which takes in stock which - not necessarily near its sell-by date - would otherwise go to landfill. Steve said: "We pay about £20 a week for the food. The food is diverted to Fairshare and they distribute it to charities throughout London." And already people are appreciating the efforts of The Silkworth Trust which is providing a much-needed and much appreciated local service in Loughton. "They love it.," Steve said. "It fulfils a need. There is a need here for food and clothing. We've started in Debden and hope to spread out." He added: "We're stuck in a corner of The Seedbed Centre and are really trying to get a higher profile so people can see what we're doing, come and volunteer with us and help us out. "We are desperate for donations of food, clothes, shoes and bric-a-brac." The Silkworth Trust charity shop and foodbank is at Unit D6, The Seedbed Centre, Langston Road, Loughton. The unit is open for the sale of donated items between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday and from 10am until 2pm on Saturday. The foodbank is open from 1pm until 5pm on Mondays. For more information, ring Steve on 07732 337369.

Steve Mitchell with some of the food items ready to be issued to voucher holders PICTURE 1

The Silkworth Trust's unit at The Seedbed Centre, Langston Road, also has a charity shop PICTURE 2

Opera talk to Probus club 8.13am - 22nd May 2012

A TALK on the history of Glyndebourne Opera was given by Bob Theobold at the last luncheon meeting of Epping Probus Club. Mr Theobold has a particular interest in Glyndebourne because both he and John Christie, the founder of Glyndebourne, had married opera singers. Christie married Audrey Mildmay in 1934, had graduated in Science at Cambridge and went on to become Science Master at Eton. Through a family fortune, Christie became a rich and eccentric resident of a large house in Sussex and so built, in his 3,000-acre back garden, an opera house to seat 300 people and eventually 1,200. Today, through 'Glyndebourne on Tour' the opera reaches 150,000 people annually, gives more than 120 live performances and is now a national institution. In 1935 Rudolph Bing was appointed General Manager (he moved on in 1949 to the Metropolitan Opera in New York). Glyndebourne was relatively inactive between 1945 and 1950. John Christie had already spent £100,000 of his fortune on the project and the severe post-war economic climate meant he could no longer afford to finance the Opera. Rudolph Bing began negotiations with Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears and Eric Crozier which resulted in the world premieres at Glyndebourne, of Britten's 'The Rape of Lucretia' in 1946 and 'Albert Herring' in 1947. Also in 1947, Christie and Bing co-founded the Edinburgh Festival which was subsidised by the City of Edinburgh and whose financial support enabled Glyndebourne to present new productions such as 'Un Ballo in Maschera' and 'Ariadne auf Naxos', as well as more familiar Mozart repertoire. The next meeting of Epping Probus is the ladies summer luncheon at Lindsey Street Community Association on Wednesday, June 20. Retired or semi-retired men who would like to join should contact secretary Peter Francis on 01992 573188.

MP to lead debate on petrol prices 7.54pm - 21st May 2012

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon who has battled for cheaper petrol and diesel for many years will be leading a debate on the issue in Parliament. Mr Halfon will be speaking during Wednesday afternoon's debate as he calls on the Government to think again on the planned 3p rise in fuel duty that is scheduled for August. He will also urge the Government to launch a "tough investigation" into allegations of price-fixing in the UK oil market. Mr Halfon said: "High fuel prices are literally forcing people off the roads. They are crushing businesses and families, and they are creating a poverty trap. "That's why I am asking the Government to look again at freezing fuel duty, and to do everything they can to pressure the big oil companies into reducing prices at the pumps. "We need everyone to do their bit, to help cut fuel prices for millions of Brits - to get our economy moving again." The news that MPs are to re-examine the controversial issue comes in the wake of an interim decision by the Office of Fair Trading, that the OFT will not investigate the UK oil market, despite a 60-page dossier of evidence from Britain's independent petrol forecourt industry urging them to do so. The dossier sets out how UK motorists are being fleeced, and proves that oil companies active in the UK are now under formal investigation by the Federal Cartel Office in Germany, as a result of similar complaints. Mr Halfon added: "The OFT has not investigated the UK oil market since 1998, despite the fact that British petrol and diesel prices are now among the highest in Europe. I am supporting the PetrolPromise.com campaign for this to be looked at. Enough is enough - we need action to sort this out. "If you need proof just look at Harlow - petrol prices are regularly 4p or 5p more expensive here than in other nearby towns."

Hospice receives timely donation 7.52pm - 21st May 2012

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has given his support to the Charity Retail Association's Choose Charity Shops campaign by donating an exclusive House of Commons watch to St Clare Hospice. Mr Halfon presented the watch to the charity when he visited the St Clare Hospice Harlow shop. The hospice is now considering how best to raise the most money from the generous donation for the Hastingwood-based charity. During the Choose Charity Shops campaign St Clare Hospice is raising awareness of the need for goods to be donated to the charity. Its seven charity shops raise a significant amount of money to help fund the hospice's patient care. Mr Halfon said: "I was delighted to visit the St Clare Hospice shop in Harlow and present the charity with the special House of Commons watch.

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"I hope the donation will raise a significant sum to help the hospice continue to provide its much-valued services both at the hospice in Hastingwood and also in the community." Louise Hamilton, the hospice's retail sales manager, said: "We are very grateful that Robert Halfon has chosen to support St Clare Hospice in this nationwide charity shop stock appeal. "As a local charity providing hospice care to people in Harlow and surrounding areas, we rely on the generosity of the community to give us goods to sell. We are always grateful for all types of donated goods but at the moment we especially need good quality furniture to sell in our shops. "We offer a free collection service for furniture donations six days a week. "At the end of this month this will be extended to offer 'Early Bird' collections from 7.15am in the Harlow area every Friday." For more information about the hospice's shops or to arrange collection of furniture, ring 01279 454596 or 01279 639760.

Jubilee celebrations in Queen's Road 4.09pm - 21st May 2012

AN event celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee will be held in Queen's Road, Buckhurst Hill, on Saturday. The celebrations, being organised by Buckhurst Hill Parish Council, run from 2pm until 5pm with a Doggy Fashion Show at 4pm. There will also be a steel band, face painting, entertainers, treasure hunt, psychic readings, and various refreshments including strawberries and cream and ice cream. All welcome.

Swaziland talk at annual general meeting 3.20pm - 21st May 2012

A TALK on his time working in Swaziland will be given by Rev'd Paul Walker at the annual general meeting of the Family Care Counselling Service. The meeting, which is open to all, is in the Lady Chapel at the Abbey Church, Waltham Abbey, at 8pm on Monday, May 28. The meeting will be the first to be attended by the charity's new chairman, Rev'd Joyce Smith, who is taking over from Rev'd Canon Geoffrey Connor.

Plaque unveiling at Town Show 1.00pm - 21st May 2012

A PLAQUE will be unveiled at the Epping Jubilee Town Show to dedicate the Stonards Hill recreation ground to the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. This will permanently protect the site as an outdoor recreational space for the people of Epping to enjoy. The annual Epping Town Council-organised event - being held this year on Sunday, June 17 - is expected to be bigger and better than ever but still remains a free event with free parking on-site via Tidy's Lane. Epping mayor Jon Whitehouse will officially open the event at noon with the fun set to continue until 5pm when a balloon race organised by 414 Epping & North Weald ATC Squadron will close the show. There will be a fun fair, circus workshop, mobile petting zoo, donkey rides, 'play in the park' rangers and games while the arena will host a range of events including a falconry display, the Epping Forest Band, Te Ashi Do Karate Club, Academy Arts Theatre School, Illusions Dance Academy and St John's School Band. Refreshments will be available all day with ice cream, crepes, the Merry Fiddlers' beer tent and a hog roast provided by Church's Butchers of Epping. To mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee the town council is holding a 'Jubilee Crowns' competition with local children encouraged to make their own crowns and take them along on the day to receive a special prize. Winning entrants will be selected to assist the mayor in unveiling the plaque, the lasting tribute to Her Majesty. The jubilee fun continues on Monday, June 25, with a special Jubilee Market Day on Epping High Street. For more details about the show, ring Epping Town Council 01992 579444, email [email protected] or visit www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Jubilee event will be "great community occasion" 1.00pm - 21st May 2012

ONGAR'S Bank Holiday Monday event to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee promises to be "a great community occasion". The Jubilee Market and 'Party in the Park' is being held at the Ongar Social and Sports Club and sports field, Love Lane, Ongar, on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4). More than 40 stalls - many featuring local groups and organisations - will be offering a variety of goods for sale, sideshows and entertainment. There will also be an array of refreshment stands on the sports field. Among the local organisations taking part include St Mary's Church and Samaritans, High Ongar; Ongar United Reformed Church, St Martin's Church, Ongar, Ongar Allotments Society, Ongar Millennium History Society, Ongar News, Ongar Wildlife Society, Ongar Twinning Association and Ongar Wildlife Society, and Ongar Round Table which will be manning a Pimms tent. A stage area will feature numerous music groups throughout the day, with the event running from noon until 8pm. Admission is free with a 50p programme on sale on the day giving people the chance to win a £50 prize. Only disabled parking will be available at the sports field on the day so a special vintage bus, provided by Epping Ongar Railway, will be providing a regular service between Shelley and the Two Brewers pub throughout the event. Ongar Jubilee Group chairman Sue Hayward said: "We are delighted that so many local people and local organisations have got involved with the event which we hope will be attended by many local people keen to support what promises to be a great community occasion. "Thanks to the efforts of committee member Trevor Newnham we have a great programme of live music to suit all tastes and ages so all in all we have a great day to look forward to." The programme for the main stage is: Grand opening (noon) Jimi's Parade (12.10pm) Easy Company Jazz Trio (12.45pm) The Opus 5 Singers (1.30pm) One Foot in the Groove (2.15pm) Jubilee Chorus (3pm) Funky Voices www.funkyvoices.co.uk (3.45pm) Palm Court Trio (4.30pm) DJ Lee (5pm).

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The evening concert will begin with the Grease tribute act - The One That You Want - at 6pm with 12-piece soul band Jackie Wilson Says taking to the stage at 7pm. The evening will end with the playing of the National Anthem. The raffle will be drawn at 4.20pm with the lucky programme draw at 5.50pm. For further information about the event - or if you would like to offer to help out on the day - ring Sue Hayward on 01277 366511 or email [email protected]

Student walkers support charity 12.58pm - 21st May 2012

SIXTEEN students at Chigwell School have taken part in a sponsored walk to help promote equality in African schools. The Year 9 students, and teachers Damien Rabbitte and Robert Ogle completed the sponsored walk in London in aid of PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools). The walk 'Bridges to Africa' started in Vauxhall and spanned ten bridges and a distance of 10kms, finishing at Tower Bridge. The students hope to raise at least £1,200 for the educational charity. Matthew Barrett, who was the school's top fundraiser having raised over £300 in sponsorship, said: "It was tiring but good fun." Robert Ogle, who teaches Spanish and is the students' housemaster, said: "We did the walk after having a representative of PEAS in to talk to the students. "We were inspired to get the pupils involved and doing something practical to raise money to see schools built and funded across poor areas of the African continent. "PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) is a UK-based charity using an innovative SmartAid model to develop sustainable secondary schools that permanently widen access to secondary education in Uganda and Zambia, although only one in four Ugandans is able to continue their education beyond primary school because of a lack of secondary school places and high fees. "PEAS' dream is that one day every child in Africa will benefit from a quality secondary education."

MP backs diabetes campaign 8.15am - 21st May 2012

EPPING Forest MP Eleanor Laing has shown her support for tackling poor diabetes care by backing a call by Diabetes UK for a national plan to improve healthcare for people with diabetes. Mrs Laing attended Diabetes UK's parliamentary reception for the launch of its State of the Nation 2012 report, which revealed that just half of people with diabetes are getting the basic checks and services they need to manage their condition. The charity is urging the Government to implement a national implementation plan for improving diabetes healthcare. Diabetes UK also held a lobby on the same day at the Houses of Parliament where people with diabetes directly appealed to MPs and ministers to commit to improving diabetes services and care. Throughout the day, many of those attending met with their MPs to share their stories of using diabetes services. Mrs Laing said: "As the Diabetes UK report shows, people with diabetes are not getting the healthcare they need. "If we don't act now to improve diabetes healthcare then even greater numbers will be at risk of developing devastating health complications such as blindness and amputations. "This is why I'm backing Diabetes UK's call for a national implementation plan to improve care for people with diabetes. "The Government must put diabetes at the top of its agenda if we are to prevent what is fast becoming a crisis, while in Epping Forest I will be talking to local NHS leaders to discuss what can be done to improve diabetes healthcare in the constituency." Diabetes UK chief executive Barbara Young said: "We are pleased to have Eleanor Laing's support on what is a very important issue. "Diabetes has become one of the biggest health challenges we face, with 3.7 million people with diabetes in the UK and seven million people at high risk. "Our State of the Nation report shows many people with diabetes are being badly let down by the poor quality of services on offer, which puts them at increased risk of developing life threatening complications and premature death. This is simply not good enough. "We need effective treatment, services focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and greater screening if we are to effectively tackle this issue. "This is why we are calling for a Government implementation plan to deliver this. The human and financial cost is simply too big to ignore." Diabetes UK's State of the Nation report can be downloaded at www.diabetes.org.uk

Plant sale raises money for groups 8.12am - 21st May 2012

A PLANT sale at the Budworth Hall, Ongar, on Saturday raised £736 to be split between two local groups. There were also stalls selling bric-a-brac, handmade cards, knitted goods, books and homemade cakes and also a raffle and tombola. The proceeds will be split between the Ongar Club for Physically Handicapped and the Clara Stewart Club.

Woman treated after chip pan fire 8.55am - 20th May 2012

A WOMAN was treated for smoke inhalation following a chip pan fire at her home in Norton Mandeville. Two fire crews, from Ongar and Chelmsford, were called to Norton Lane shortly after 3pm yesterday (Saturday). The fire was out by the time firefighters arrived and they made the area safe before leaving at 3.30pm. The crews gave oxygen therapy to the 70-year-old woman who was left in the care of the ambulance service.

Thieves steal jubilee bunting from High Street 5.24pm - 19th May 2012

THIEVES have stolen jubilee bunting from over shops in Ongar High Street just hours after it was put up. Volunteers, including members of the Ongar Town Forum, had put the bunting over Sorrells solicitors and the neighbouring café-bakers and funeral directors on Friday. Speaking in the High Street this morning (Saturday) as more bunting was put up, Ongar Town Forum vice-chairman Geoff Tuck said: "It was there at 5pm (on Friday) but not there at 9pm. Not only did they take the flags they took the clips that they were hung up with."

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He added: "They are low life. We are doing it for the community - it's disrespectful to the Queen." Mr Tuck said he was also disappointed at the lack of volunteers who had given up some of their time to help hang the bunting which now stretches over most of the shops and businesses premises in the town.

Undeterred by the thieves (left to right) Richard Long (carpenter), Jon-Joe Gold (Gold's Decorators) and Ongar Town Forum vice-chairman Geoff Tuck continued to hang bunting along the High Street this morning click here

What do you think? Email your comments to [email protected] or send your comments via Twitter - @eefnews

Sue Sowerby (@SueSowerby on Twitter) wrote: Disgraceful!

Paul Mendel (@Paul_Mendel on Twitter) wrote: All the good work spoilt by a few people.

Good Samaritan chases off attackers 5.24pm - 19th May 2012

A MOTORIST chased off a group of youths after a boy was assaulted in Buckhurst Hill. Police say a 13-year-old boy had got off the school bus in Pentlow Way, near the shops, on Friday and walked along Loughton Way towards Buckhurst Hill when he was confronted by a group of seven other boys of school age who assaulted him. The boy received some swelling to his face. The attack, which happened at about 3.50pm, was only stopped following the intervention of a passing motorist, driving a small red car, who helped the victim and chased off the attackers. Officers are appealing for this Good Samaritan to contact Essex Police to help with the investigation. The motorist, or anyone else who can assist officers, should ring PC Daniel Pipes or DS Phil Moulsher at the West Area Investigation Team on 101 extension 319132.

Town council elects new mayor 5.16pm - 18th May 2012

COUNCILLOR Stephen Pewsey is the new Loughton mayor. He received the chain of office from councillor Caroline Pond. Mr Pewsey thanked his predecessor for her dedicated service to the town and for the way in which she had carried out her duties with charm, grace and good humour. Mr Pewsey, 56, who has lived in Loughton for 18 years, works at the British Museum. He said: "I look forward to serving as Mayor in 2012-13 and representing all that is best about our town. 2012 is a particularly exciting year as we celebrate both the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games with a wide range of events across the town this summer. "I'm proud of the community spirit in Loughton and look forward to helping to make a difference during my term of office." Outgoing mayor Caroline Pond thanked the councillors for the opportunity during the past year to represent the council and the town, and said how much she had enjoyed the wide variety of engagements. Members expressed their appreciation of her work as mayor and in particular for the high standard of her chairmanship at council meetings. Councillor Jill Angold-Stephens will serve as Mr Pewsey's deputy this year.

New Loughton mayor Stephen Pewsey with outgoing mayor Caroline Pond click here

Round -up of district's jubilee events 2.43pm - 18th May 2012 UPDATED (WITH NORTH WEALD EVENT) - 7.40am 21st May UPDATED (WITH BUCKHURST HILL EVENT) - 4.10pm 21st May

NUMEROUS events are being held across the district to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Are you having a street party that Everything Epping Forest could feature? To get your event featured on Everything Epping Forest, please email the details to [email protected]

* An event celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee will be held in Queen's Road, Buckhurst Hill, on Saturday, May 26. The celebrations, being organised by Buckhurst Hill Parish Council, run from 2pm until 5pm with a Doggy Fashion Show at 4pm. There will also be a steel band, face painting, entertainers, treasure hunt, psychic readings, and various refreshments including strawberries and cream and ice cream. All welcome.

* The jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend weekend gets underway with a parade in The Broadway, Debden, on Saturday, June 2 . The parade will be headed by the Royal British Legion with a horse-drawn carriage carrying local dignitaries including Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing. The parade will also feature students, members of local organisations, Pearly Kings and Queens. Old Tyme Music Hall characters, the King and Queen of Hearts, Beefeaters and Guardsmen. The National Anthem will be played at 10.05am before a full programme of entertainment begins - Fire Dance Academy (10.15am-10.30am) Thomas Willingale Primary School (10.30am-11am) Davenant Foundation School Jazz Band (11am-11.30am) Debden Park High School Performing Arts (11.30am-noon) East 15 Acting School Old Tyme Music Hall (noon-12.30pm) Kidz Club (12.30pm-1pm) Pearly King and Queens and Friends (1pm-1.30pm) Restore Community Church (1.30pm-2pm) The Heaters seven-piece show/party band featuring Tracks from Blues Brothers, Commitments, Queen and Madness (2pm-3pm) Debden Jubilee Karaoke (3pm-4pm).

* A Diamond Jubilee dinner and dance is being held at Fyfield Village Hall, off Houchin Drive, Fyfield, from 7pm on Saturday, June 2 . Tickets, priced £30, including a four course meal and live music from the Dave Browning Quintet, are available from Helen on 01277 899690.

* A Best of British charity lunch is being held at the Clocktower restaurant, Station

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Road, Epping, on Sunday, June 3 . The lunch costs £25 per person with £5 from each person going to St Clare Hospice and the SNAP children's charity. For the full menu go to www.Clocktowerrestaurants.co.uk Coverage of the national jubilee celebrations will be shown on the television.

* A Jubilee Market and Family Fun Day is being held at the Ongar Social and Sports Club field, Ongar, from noon until 8pm on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4) . There will be live music, more than 40 stalls - many of which will be manned by local organisations - and a variety of refreshment stalls. The evening will close with a Grease tribute act and fireworks.

* A special jubilee event is being held in the grounds of Theydon Bois Primary School, Orchard Drive, Theydon Bois, from 12.30pm - with an official opening at 2pm - on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4) . Entertainment will include professional band Scarlet Manhattan, the Trish Cole School of Music, Dance and Street Dancing, Davenant Foundation School's jazz band 'Take Five', the Academy of Arts musical theatre, the Davenant Dancers, barn dancing, fireworks and the lighting of the jubilee beacon, various stalls, a barbecue, hog roast, face painting and raffle. Admission free. The event is sponsored by Theydon Bois Parish Council. Visitors are urged to take their own chair, drink and hampers.

* Villagers in Moreton are having "the barbecue of a lifetime" on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4) with a massive medieval ox roast. A team of people will have worked for 22 hours cooking the ox using two tonnes of wood for the fire. Councillor Tony Boyce said: "It will be a unique opportunity to experience the barbecue of a lifetime." The event starts at 6pm. Tickets, priced £5 each for a roast roll and salad - with live music playing in the centre of Moreton - are available from both pubs in the village.

* A day-long event is being held at North Weald Village Hall and the Village Hall Green on Tuesday, June 5 . The event starts at 10.30am. There will be displays from the Army Cadets, Epping Forest Dog Display Team, United Karate Association, Hamilton School of Dance and Chingford Morris Men. A concert (12.30pm) will feature the Ted Beament Trio and at 3.30pm there will be a tea dance with The Tony Compton Trio. There will also be a Bonny Baby Competition, Jiving Elimination dance contest, fancy dress contest for all ages and their dogs, a kiddies funfair, arts and crafts display and sale and many other stalls with tombolas and local interested groups. The event will finish with a four pub tug-of-war championship. Admission is free. The day is receiving financial support from North Weald Bassett Parish Council.

* A jubilee street party is being held in Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, between noon and 3pm on Tuesday, June 5 . The 'bring and share' party is being organised by Waltham Abbey Town Council. There will be all kinds of street entertainment including a bouncy castle, jugglers and music. The main event will be the ceremonial cutting of the Jubilee cake. Further details about the event can be found on the town council website and posters throughout the town.

Are you holding an event in your town or village? Are you having a street party that Everything Epping Forest could feature? To get your event on Everything Epping Forest, email the details to [email protected]

Haslers Foundation backs Fazer's dream 11.13am - 18th May 2012

LOUGHTON-based chartered accountants Haslers have donated £500 through its Foundation to a fundraising campaign to help a boy with cerebral palsy achieve his dream of running. Six year-old Fazer Mossman's condition makes it difficult for him to move around with the help of a walking frame or sticks and he gets tired very easily. His family want to raise £50,000 so he can travel to St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri, USA, for pioneering SDR surgery which will hopefully help him fulfil his lifetime wish. Fazer, who comes from Chigwell, visited Haslers to receive a cheque and Easter egg from Joel Kara and Paige French n behalf of the firm. Joel said: "Fazer is an inspirational, charismatic and charming young boy who could teach us all a thing or two on our attitudes towards life. "It was a great pleasure to be able to present Fazer with the cheque to put towards his fundraising target." Meanwhile, the Foundation has presented its chosen charity for 2012, Oakview School in Loughton, with a cheque for £2,540 to purchase a 'basket swing' for use in the new adventure play area which they are currently raising funds for. Darryl Light, who presented the cheque to the school on behalf of Haslers, said: "It was a pleasure to go along to Oakview and present the cheque for a new swing in the children's playground. "The playground itself is quite empty now so hopefully this will give the children something to use during their break times. "After a brief tour around the school, we met some of the children and staff at the school. Chatting to the staff we could tell that the money would go a long way and they do a really great job with the children who have learning difficulties."

Children can join reading challenge 9.19am - 18th May 2012

THIS year’s main Summer Reading Challenge is Story Lab, a hi-tech headquarters in the centre of a dynamic city. It attracts stories from all over the world and sends them spinning throughout the city – and beyond! For this year’s Summer Reading Challenge children are needed to boost the imagination of the Story Lab by visiting their local library and reading lots of books. When children join they will receive a model Story Lab. Each time they read two books they will collect stickers for their StoryLab (including some scratch and sniff). Children need to read a total of six books over the summer holidays to complete the challenge and receive a medal. All children who take part will receive a certificate. Children of any age can take part. They can join any time from Saturday, July 21, and have until Saturday, September 8, to finish and collect their medals. Story Lab is an official project in the Cultural Olympiad’s London 2012 Festival.

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Children aged ten and over can take part in a separate challenge - Metropolis. Participants will be given a map featuring some of London’s most iconic landmarks. They need to research six of the landmarks to complete the challenge as well as reading and thinking about books and films. They will receive a DVD voucher and a sports watch on completion.

Art society prepares for town show 8.15am - 18th May 2012

EPPING Art Society artists will have an exhibition and picture sale at the Epping Town Show on Sunday, June 17. Members will be on hand to talk about the society which meets twice every month, on the first Friday and a Wednesday later in the month. The Friday meeting is a practical session with a different topic or subject. Members work in any medium they prefer, maybe watercolours or acrylics, pen and ink, or oils. The society also meets at 7.30pm in the hall underneath the Methodist Church, High Street, Epping, with a break at about 8.30pm for a cup of tea. At the end of the session the paintings are spread out and photographs taken for the monthly newsletter. The Wednesday meeting has a speaker or a demonstration. The meetings are at Pelly Court, Hemnall Street (doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start). A full programme is planned for 2012 and every month a newsletter is delivered to all members a few days before the meeting giving details of the next Friday's practical, comments on the previous one, a review of the Wednesday speaker and what to expect next month. The society has at least two exhibitions a year. The next is at the Town Show. The next Friday practical is a life drawing session with model Amanda on Friday, June 1. Members only attend Friday meetings and pay £2. On Wednesday, June 13, Bruce Ronaldson will speak on Abstract versus Surrealism. Admission is £2 for members (non-members £3). New members joining now will be offered a reduced subscription of £5 from July. For more information visit www.wix.com/eppingartsociety/details or contact Roger at [email protected] or ring Sally on 01992 560807.

Choir holding outreach rehearsal 8.11am - 18th May 2012

THE Three Valleys Male Voice Choir is embarking on an Outreach Programme, taking occasional rehearsal nights out into the community. The first night is at Waltham Abbey Town Hall, Highbridge Street, from 7pm until 9.30pm on Tuesday, June 26. Men are invited to join the choir singing popular pieces from their repertoire, also well- known sing-along numbers. Secretary Nigel Thomas said: "It is a well known medical fact that singing is good for your health and well-being, it keeps you young, it’s fun and you give pleasure to all who listen to you." Since its inception 17 years ago the choir has performed more than 400 concerts locally, nationally and abroad. The choir currently has 28 singers but is hoping to recruit ten more. Partners are welcome to attend, to give support and encouragement. Places can be booked by ringing Tony Moore on 01279 415563, or just turn up on the night.

Minister visits three of the district's schools 4.34pm - 17th May 2012

THE Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb MP, has praised the "impressive" standard of education being achieved in the district's schools which are now academies. Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing and Buckhurst Hill and Loughton South county councillor Valerie Metcalfe, the deputy cabinet member for education, accompanied Mr Gibb when he visited Debden Park High School in Loughton, King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy in Waltham Abbey and Theydon Bois Primary School today (Thursday). The party toured each of the schools with Mr Gibb discussing a range of issues when he met the head teachers of seven of the district's secondary schools during a question and answer session at Debden Park High School. Topics ranging from academy schools and Ofsted inspections to capital funding for school buildings and sixth form provision in the district were put to Mr Gibb by Debden Park High School head teacher Christian Kavanagh, Roding Valley High School head teacher Paul Banks, Chigwell School headmaster Michael Punt, King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy head teacher Denice Halpin, West Hatch High School head teacher Frances Howarth, Davenant Foundation School head teacher Chris Seward, and George Yerosimou, head teacher of St John's School in Epping. Mr Gibb praised the work being done by academy schools Debden Park and King Harold and highlighted the determined efforts of the head teachers. He said: "One of the schools (King Harold) is changing from an under-performing school into a better performing school. It is interesting to see the head who is determined to raise standards. "Debden Park High School is doing extremely well and again it wants to continue to raise standards and it is impressive to see head teachers that are so determined to do that." He added: "Debden Park High School has very high quality premises and the heads of both schools (Debden Park and King Harold) are taking their schools on a journey. "One is slightly ahead of the other on that journey but they are both very optimistic that as academies they are going to become very high preforming schools." At Theydon Bois Primary School, after being introduced to the pupils and head teacher Elspeth Bonds, Mr Gibb enjoyed a school lunch of roast chicken and jam sponge and custard before being taken on a tour of the classrooms by a group of pupils. During his walkabout Mr Gibb posed maths questions to children in various classes, and was impressed by their answers. He said: "The children all know their tables and their reading is very advanced. I've also met some Year 6 children who are reading regularly every evening. "Their arithmetic and maths is at a very sophisticated level and even the very young children seem to be able to count and they know their basic number bonds to a level beyond what the national curriculum requires so it is all very impressive. "It is a very happy school. The children are well behaved." Mrs Laing said: "I was delighted to welcome the Minister for Schools, Nick Gibb, to Epping Forest. I particularly wanted him to see how well all our head teachers co-operate with each other and the excellent results they get for their pupils. "The Kemnal Academies Trust is doing a brilliant job and we can see the direct effect that the Trust is having both in Debden Park High School in Loughton and King Harold Academy in Waltham Abbey. "The Minister met several Year 11 students and I was very pleased at the enthusiasm, initiative and interest in their future careers that they displayed Both of these schools have made enormous progress in recent years and becoming an academy has been particularly important for King Harold.

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"It was also a great pleasure to visit Theydon Bois Primary School and quite an experience to share school lunch with the children. It is decades since I have enjoyed jam sponge and custard! "I think the Minister was impressed by the level that these primary school children have reached particularly in arithmetic which is so important. "It's good for an Education Minister to see what is actually happening in our schools and I hope that the head teachers feel it was worthwhile having an opportunity to discuss various issues with him personally."

For a slideshow of pictures click here

Lib Dem councillor defects to Conservatives 4.32pm - 17th May 2012

EPPING town councillor Lynn Hughes, who was elected as a councillor for the Epping Hemnall ward earlier this month, has defected from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives. The Conservatives now hold 11 of the 12 seats on Epping Town Council. Mrs Hughes said: "I've become increasingly disillusioned with the Liberal Democrats and their inability to get things done for the residents of Epping. "It was a very difficult decision to leave the Party but, after careful consideration, I came to the conclusion that it is the Conservatives who best represent the interests of Epping and have the ability to make a positive difference to the town." Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing said: "I'm delighted to welcome Lynn to the Conservative Party. "Her bold move reflects what the voters told us in the recent local elections - that it is the Conservatives who deliver on their promises here in Epping Forest."

Man charged over church burglary 12.23pm - 16th May 2012

A MAN has been charged with burglary at a church in Willingale after he was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt during a road safety and crime reduction police operation in Chelmsford. Operation Surround A Town was executed on Tuesday and forms part of Essex County Council's three-year No Excuse campaign to tackle motoring offences and raise awareness that there is no excuse for speeding, mobile telephone use while driving, seatbelt failures and driving without insurance. A 45-year-old man, from Chelmsford, was stopped by police after failing to wear his seatbelt while driving. He was then arrested after officers established he was wanted in connection with a burglary at a church in Willingale. He was subsequently charged with one count of burglary relating to the offence which took place between Friday, February 24, and Thursday, March 1, in which a wooden chest and iron key were stolen, as well as one count of being in possession of a Class B drug. He has been released on police bail until his appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 6.

Jubilee street party in Sun Street 12.20pm - 16th May 2012

A QUEEN'S Diamond Jubilee street party will be held in Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, on Tuesday, June 5. The 'bring and share' party is being organised by Waltham Abbey Town Council. There will be all kinds of street entertainment including a bouncy castle, jugglers and music. The main event will be the ceremonial cutting of the Jubilee cake by the Town Mayor who will be elected at the Annual Town Council Meeting next week. The party will take place between noon and 3pm. Deputy Mayor Elisabeth Webster said: "We send our heartiest congratulations to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee, and we hope the town will join us to celebrate this momentous occasion." Further details about the event can be found on the town council website and posters throughout the town.

Man robbed of four -figure sum 9.08am - 16th May 2012

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Buckhurst Hill. The incident happened at St John's Court at 9.40pm on Monday April 30, when the victim saw an advertisement for a silver VW Golf and attended the location with a view to purchasing the car. Whilst there a man grabbed the victim and demanded cash. The victim handed over a four figure sum of money. The suspects are described as white men, aged 21 to 40 and 6ft tall. Investigating officer PC Neale Parker said: "I would like to speak with anyone who witnessed this silver Volkswagen Golf driving in or out of the location, or if anyone else took this vehicle for a test drive to contact me." Anyone with any information should ring PC Neale Parker on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Carnival plans taking shape 8.28am - 16th May 2012

THIS year's Ongar Carnival will be held on Sunday, June 24. The event, organised by Ongar Round Table, will feature a carnival procession along the High Street, starting at St Peter's Avenue, Shelley, at 12.30pm. Ongar Round Table chairman Dan Cable said: "This year's carnival promises to be even better than last year and a great family occasion. "We're getting as many local organisations as possible including bands, clubs and youth groups to join in and have fun - and of course we'll be hoping for some great British summer weather to bring out the crowds!" There will be giveaways, music and dancing, lots of floats and the Carnival Queen and princesses. The procession will end at Chipping Ongar Primary School in Greensted Road where the Round Table will be running their beer and Pimms tent. Any organisations wanting to get involved with this year's carnival can ring vice-chairman Kevin Cheesman on 07595 509879. This year there will be an award for the 'Best Dressed Establishment' giving shops and pubs the chance dress up their premises on the theme of 'The Olympics'.

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EXCLUSIVE: Thunderbolt hits riding school 9.15pm - 15th May 2012

FIVE children at the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs were among those who had a lucky escape when a thunderbolt hit the riding school and yard. Two of the youngsters were thrown from their ponies by the thunderbolt which also caused a power cut at the charity. Centre manager Deborah Hall has praised everyone involved for the way they reacted to what she described as "the loudest sound I'd ever heard". Four children were enjoying a riding session in the indoor school when the thunderbolt struck shortly before 3pm today. A girl was thrown from her pony. A boy who was getting onto a pony in the yard was also thrown off as the thunderbolt hit a manhole cover in the yard. Deborah, recounting the shocking moment to Everything Epping Forest this evening, said: "It was the loudest sound I'd ever heard. Someone thought it was a gas explosion. "All the horses spun round 180 degrees very fast. The volunteers were fantastic, they were amazing but it was a frightening experience. "The strike hit a manhole cover about ten metres behind the pony in the yard - the whole yard went white (with the flash of lightning)." Caroline McGlynn, who was at the centre - writing on Facebook - said: "I have never heard thunder so loud and for a moment or two thought it was a gas explosion." She praised the quick-thinking efforts of Deborah, as well as the horses and volunteers, describing them as "just spectacular". She added: "What could so easily have been a terrible situation was contained and managed really well. "The young riders showed their confidence and training and did exactly what they were told, a true sign of consistent and brilliant teaching." The thunderbolt also hit a pipe causing a flood in part of the centre. Deborah said: "I think we were incredibly lucky to come away unscathed. I cannot thank the volunteers enough, they were so professional."

Hospice medical director elected a Fellow 4.20pm - 15th May 2012

ST Clare Hospice's medical director John Zeppetella has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Dr Zeppetella has been with the hospice since 2003 and since then has worked closely with general practice colleagues in west Essex to support patients with life -limiting illnesses. A Fellow of the College of General Practitioners is an ambassador for the college's standards and values in whom the college is happy to signal its pride. It is an honour that denotes the esteem in which a doctor is held by his or her peers, and can merited both by the breadth and the depth of achievement. Already a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Dr Zeppetella was particularly proud to receive the honour. He said: "Having been nominated and supported by my general practice colleagues is particularly important to me." Following nomination, Dr Zeppetella's contribution to Clinical Care, Patient-Centred Practice, Education and Training, Innovation and Creativity and Academic and Research was considered by the Essex Faculty Fellowship Committee and Fellowship Committee of Council, after which he was recommended for election to Fellowship. Also elected as Fellows were Old Harlow-based GPs Dr Richard Anthony and Dr Krish Radhakrishnan who are both enthusiastic supporters of St Clare Hospice.

Pupil aiming to be Top Trumps champion 4.01pm - 15th May 2012

A PUPIL at Theydon Bois Primary School will be aiming to become Britain's Top Trumps champion having seen off more than 100,000 other children to make the final. Austin Davies, ten, is one of 12 finalists preparing to battle it out in London in the final of the National Top Trumps Schools Tournament which this year is themed around the London 2012 edition of a new Top Trumps Tournament game. Austin goes into Saturday's final having been placed second out of the initial field of entrants. Austin said: "I really didn't think that I would get this far but I'm really happy that I have reached the final." The winner will get a unique rowing experience with Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave - the official ambassador and 'face' of the 2012 Top Trumps Schools Tournament - on the River Thames. Sir Steve will also be at the final and will officially crown the winner. The winning youngster also receives a trophy. To reach the final Austin had to first trump classmates at his school to become the Top Trumps School Champion before competing in an intensive online competition. He had to battle against hundreds of other school champs across the UK before reaching the final. Fiona Hortopp, Head of Marketing at Winning Moves UK - the owners and makers of the Top Trumps brand - said: "Our hearty congratulations to Austin. He is a winner already having come out ahead of so many school children across the country and to come in second place. We wish him all the very best." Top Trumps has been hailed as not only fun but highly educational too. The National Children's Bureau carried out detailed research on the National Schools Top Trumps Tournament and concluded the game helps children improve both numeracy and literacy. Fiona added: "Its findings have resulted in heads and teachers seeing the advantage of bringing in Top Trumps as a teaching tool inside the classroom. "This year's Tournament has also given schools up and down the country the opportunity to learn all about the Olympic and Paralympic games - past and present." The final will be played on a special commemorative bumper version of Top Trumps, which features London 2012 medal hopefuls. In the game are cards of scores of Olympians past and present and Olympic sports. These cards enable you to 'trump' your opponents across a range of Olympic themes from 'British Legends' to 'Paralympic Heroes'. In the 'Olympic Sports' cards theme the 'Cycling - BMX' card enables players to trump any opponent in the 'First Introduced' category.

Theydon Bois Primary School pupil Austin Davies who will be battling it out in the final of the National Top Trumps Schools Tournament click here

MPs support cucumber festival 3.33pm - 15th May 2012

EPPING Forest MP Eleanor Laing and Harlow MP Robert Halfon, whose constituency includes Roydon and Nazeing, were among the thousands of people who supported the second Cucumber Festival in Waltham Abbey. Saturday's event was aimed at raising the profile of the growers of cucumbers and

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peppers in the Lea Valley. Mr Halfon said: "I was delighted to attend the event. The local growers based in Roydon and Nazeing are very important to the local area and alongside nurseries in Broxbourne and the rest of the area constitute 75 per cent of all cucumber and pepper growers in the UK. "I'm looking forward to meeting pepper growers this week in Parliament because we have to do everything we can to ensure local growers get a fair deal with the supermarkets and that the Government does everything to ensure a pro-business climate to ensure that these growers thrive."

Charity teams up with Disneyland Paris 3.30pm - 15th May 2012

THE Dream Factory charity, which was set up three years ago by Epping mother Avril Mills, has teamed up with Disneyland Paris to offer children the chance-of-a-lifetime visit to the popular venue. Avril Mills together with trustee and dream co-ordinator Martin Bye and volunteer dream maker Sue Stanton recently visited Disneyland Paris to finalise arrangements for the exciting new partnership. Avril said: "We were shown hotel rooms where our dream children will stay and other facilities in the hotel. "We were also taken to the lovely Disney lounge where the dream children will be able to rest during their very busy and exciting day in the Disney park." They also met some of the venue's team who will help create special dream requests for The Dream Factory children. Avril added: "Working with Disney will save us thousands of pounds. We are honoured and delighted to have this opportunity to help us grant more dreams especially in this current difficult economic climate." The Dream Factory, which is about to create its 150th dream, was launched in January 2008 by Avril Mills, after her son, Oliver, aged nine, died from leukaemia. Avril said: "We always need more help from volunteers and of course funds so that we can regularly carry on granting the dreams." The Dream Factory is holding a glittering, star-studded black tie charity ball - The Putting on the Glitz Ball - at The Prince Regent Hotel, Manor Road, Woodford Bridge, on Saturday, November 24, with a champagne reception at 6pm and dinner at 7.30pm. Tickets are £75 per head. For tickets and more details ring Avril Mills on 07712 619726. For more information about the charity visit http://www.yourdreamfactory.org/

Anglers net cash for hospice 3.28pm - 15th May 2012

EIGHTEEN anglers took part in a six-hour charity fishing match which raised £590 for St Clare Hospice. The event, held at Moreton Lake, was organised by Ongar & District Angling Society. First prize was won by society member Terry Commer, from Harold Hill, Romford, with Terry Commer Jnr second. The match was kindly sponsored by independent funeral directors Daniel Robinson & Son, Epping, who provided the prize winnings and goody bags for each competitor. Dave Bishop, the hospice's community fundraiser, said: "A very big thank you to Tommy Eldridge and the members of Ongar & District Angling Society for allowing the competition to be held at their lake in Moreton. "I would like to express my gratitude to Tom Baldwin, of Harlow Angling Centre, for kindly donating the wonderful raffle prizes on the day. "I would also like to say a big thank you to Steve Moore for his support including generously giving his time on the day and to Daniel Robinson & Son for their continued support towards St Clare. "We look forward to doing it all again soon."

Car driver jailed over death crash 6.15pm - 14th May 2012

A MOTORIST has been jailed for 12 months for killing a Chigwell motorcyclist in a collision in Abridge 22 months ago through careless driving. The collision happened when a Yamaha motorcycle was struck by a Ford Fiesta on Ongar Road, near Stapleford Airfield, at 7pm on Friday, July 23, 2010. The motorcyclist, Liam Sargeant, 21, of Lambourne Road, Chigwell, was certified dead at the scene. The car driver, Joseph Thomas, was arrested at the scene and in August last year was charged with a motoring offence. In April, Thomas, 24, a sales assistant, of Millbank Avenue, Ongar, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court. At the same court today (Monday) he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. Senior Investigating Officer, Inspector Scott Egerton, said: "As Joseph Thomas attempted to overtake another vehicle he struck Liam Sargeant who was travelling towards him. "This is a tragic case which cut short Liam's life - a young man with his life ahead of him. Every road user needs to consider how a single act of poor driving can destroy lives and families. "Joseph Thomas must live with this for the rest of his life. Although nothing can ever come close to making up for the loss to Liam's family, I hope today's sentence and the earlier guilty plea by Joseph Thomas gives them some relief. "This has been a complex collision which has required detailed and specialist investigation. "I would like to praise all the officers involved for their hard work which has brought us to this conclusion." Thomas was also given a four-year driving disqualification and must take an extended driving test should he reapply for his driving licence.

Town prepares for The Epping Festival 2.42pm - 14th May 2012

A HOST of attractions are being lined up for The Epping Festival, a new event which is being held to help promote the town. The free community event, organised by the Epping Town Centre Partnership in conjunction with the Epping Society, will be held in the High Street from 10am on Saturday, July 14. All business owners and local organisations are being encouraged to join in and showcase themselves. Local artists, musicians and craftspeople are also being asked to show off their talents. There will be a fashion show on the piazza outside Barclays Bank, a craft market, art exhibition, jazz musicians, painting, pottery and a host of artistic experiences for anyone who wants to try their hand. There will also be music and performances by Morris Dancers. Local schools will be showing off their artistic talents in the form of paintings and essays -

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thanks to a competition being organised by the Epping Society to help celebrate its 40th anniversary. Epping's history and traditions will also be on show, including the forest and countryside which can be seen from the top of the St John's Church tower which will be open. An historic walk with costumed characters at each point is being organised. Food offerings include a Medieval Menu at one of the eateries, a barbecue featuring 'Epping's Famous Sausages' and other street food. The town's fire station will be holding its open day on the same day. Local design company Murray Cameron Design has designed poster artwork and a logo for Epping which is a topical play on the 'I Love NY' logo. A festival spokesman said: "In addition to promoting Epping High Street and local interest groups, "The Epping Festival is also a fantastic opportunity for local residents , businesses and societies alike to reinforce their relationship to enable our town to thrive where so many others are failing."

Bogus police officers steal car 2.40pm - 14th May 2012

POLICE have released an efit image of a man they want to speak to in connection with a theft in Epping. The incident happened between 6.55pm and 7.10pm on Tuesday April 3, when the victim was driving along Epping Road when he was pulled over by three men who were driving a grey Mondeo with flashing blue lights in the grill and dashboard. The victim pulled into a lay-by where the three men, who identified themselves as police officers, told the victim to get out of his car. The suspects drove off taking the victim's car, a grey VW Golf. The suspects were wearing dark clothing, black stab proof vests, radios, flat caps and a jacket with the word 'Police' written on it. Investigating officer PC Joseph Leppard said: "This is a rare incident. I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, or who has any concerns or information regarding the men or the vehicle to contact me." Anyone with any information should ring PC Joseph Leppard on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The efit of one of the suspects click here

Runner's first marathon supports hospice 2.37pm - 14th May 2012

A MARATHON runner braved one of the wettest days of the year and raised about£250 for St Clare Hospice by completing the Milton Keynes Marathon. Tim Carter, from Buckhurst Hill, was taking part in his first full marathon and completed the 26.2 miles in 4hrs 3mins 45secs. Tim, 44, said: "It was exceptionally cold and damp, especially as I was wearing just a St Clare Hospice singlet! "I had previously run half-marathons and had done training runs up to 18 miles. "I was secretly hoping to get under four hours as I had run the half-marathons in just over an hour-and-a-half however the conditions were a little against me and I was doing it for a good cause." Some 5,000 runners took part in the race which finished at the MK Dons football ground. "I raised about £250 for St Clare Hospice and I vowed to never run a marathon again but I am sure that I can get under four hours so maybe I will enter just one more!"

Woman scares off would -be car thieves 8.21pm - 13th May 2012

A WOMAN'S cries for help scared off would-be car thieves who targeted the victim as she parked her white Mini convertible on the Chigwell-Woodford Bridge border. Police say the woman, in her 20s, was approached by three black men when she parked her car in Chigwell Road at about 2.35am on Friday (May 11). One of the men grabbed her wrist and took her car keys. Another shouted at her while they tried to get in to the car. The men were disturbed by the woman's cries for help and ran off towards Turpins Lane where they were seen to get in to a dark -coloured "old shape" car. One of the men was 6ft tall, aged in his early 20s, slim, with dreadlock style hair. He was wearing a dark red or burgundy -coloured baseball cap, a burgundy jumper which was of fleece style with a black and white square shape motif on the front, jeans and trainers. Another man wore white Nike trainers and was also in his 20s. The other man was bigger built than the first man, also in his 20s, wearing a black jacket with a zip at the front, and dark indigo coloured jeans. He had a shaven head. Anyone with any information should ring officers at the Harlow target offender team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Charred clothes found near rail line 8.19pm - 13th May 2012

POLICE are appealing for information after charred clothing was found near to where 20 metres of rail cable was stolen near Theydon Bois. The burnt blue coat and blue woollen hat were discovered in the early hours of this morning. British Transport Police officers believe the charred clothing could belong to someone who was seriously burnt during the theft and are urging the person to seek immediate medical attention. Investigating officer Detective Inspector Andy Winters said: "After conducting an initial search at the scene we recovered some badly charred clothing and are clearly very concerned that someone may have been seriously injured. "In addition we have the possibility, as a worst-case scenario, that somebody has been electrocuted and is currently unaccounted for. "We've conducted an extensive area search and checked with local hospitals, but with no success so far. "I would encourage anybody who has a friend or relative who may not yet have returned home, or who has unusual or unaccounted for burn injuries to contact us as soon as possible. "Accessing prohibited parts of the railway is extremely dangerous and anyone with injuries should seek medical attention immediately." Anyone with any information should ring British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident 23 of 13/5/201 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Celebrities support charity fun run 8.16pm - 13th May 2012

CELEBRITIES Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane set runners on their way at the start of the

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Rhys Daniels Trust fun run in Epping. Linda, the well-known former Page 3 model who has starred in The Bill, Brookside and Emmerdale, and her husband, who has appeared in Brookside, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, were also there to welcome home the runners at the end of the five-mile run which started and finished at Epping Sports Centre. About 50 runners took part in today's race which raised money for the Rhys Daniels Trust, which provides accommodation close to specialist children's hospitals around the country. The race was won by Adrian Hull who crossed the finish line in Hemnall Street in 31mins 16 secs. The winners and their times were: Men - Adrian Hull 31mins 16secs; women - Natalie Smith 39mins 21secs; boys 15 and under - Joe Tinsley 36mins 44secs; girls 15 and under - Lucy Annetts 65mins 19secs; Boys 11 and under - Will Jones 35mins 04secs; girls 11 and under - Sophie Bridger 56mins 32secs.

Linda Lusardi and husband Sam Kane with runners at the start of the five-mile race PICTURE 1

Adrian Hull crosses the finish line PICTURE 2

Race winner Adrian Hull with Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane PICTURE 3

Ex -West Hatch pair runners -up in BGT 7.23am - 13th May 2012

FORMER West Hatch High School students Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli were runners -up in last night's Britain's Got Talent final. They were beaten by dancing dog Pudsey and handler Ashleigh. It has been reported that Jonathan and Charlotte would be offered a £1m record deal by Simon Cowell whether they won the competition or not. In a message posted on his Twitter feed this morning, Jonathan, 17, wrote: "Thank you for all of your support! Ashleigh and Pudsey deserved to win, and I'm proud to be friends with them!" In a post on their joint Facebook page, they wrote: "Thank you for all the wonderful comments and for supporting us in our journey on BGT! "We are thrilled to have been second and believe that everyone in the final was fantastic - we feel truly grateful to everyone involved in enabling us to have such a memorable and happy experience!" A third former West Hatch High School student reached the final of this year's competition with Sonny Jay is a member of The Loveable Rogues group which failed to make the top three.

EXCLUSIVE: Victims "shook up" after knifepoint ordeal 4.08pm - 12th May 2012

THE father of one of the victims of a knifepoint robbery at a Waltham Abbey pub has said they are still "shook up" from their terrifying ordeal. The man's 18-year-old daughter was among a group of customers who were threatened at knifepoint and robbed of their mobile phones by two raiders who struck at the Wheatsheaf pub shortly after 11pm last night. The man, who does not want to be identified, told Everything Epping Forest: "They are all shook up at the moment. Some are worse than others. "They (the robbers) were waving them (the knives) around in front of their faces." Police say the robbers were armed with knives when they ran into the Crooked Mile pub and demanded money from the till. They forced two members of staff to hand over a four-figure sum. A member of staff received a slight cut to his hand while being threatened by one of the thieves. A police spokesman said nine customers were threatened at knifepoint and ordered to hand over any mobile telephones. Three phones were stolen. Two female customers also had their handbags searched but nothing was taken. The thieves both ran off after about two minutes in the pub. The robbers were both aged in their 20s and wearing black hooded tops, black jogging bottoms and black trainers. One of them was black, about 6ft tall and of large muscular build. The other man was white, about 5ft 10in and slim. Anyone with information should contact DS Orr at the Harlow Target Offender Team on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 0800 555 111.

Parking restrictions during Olympics 3.31pm - 12th May 2012

PARKING permits are to be issued to households and businesses in Waltham Abbey for when a controlled parking zone is in operation while Olympic events are held at the nearby white water centre. With an estimated 11,000 a day expected at the centre on each of the five days that Olympic events are being held (July 29 - August 2) on-street parking will be prohibited within a designated area of the town between 1pm and 2pm. Details of the restrictions were explained at Thursday's Waltham Abbey annual town meeting. Two permits will be sent to each household with additional permits available on application. All sessions at the centre will start at 1.30pm on each of the five days and will finish between 3.40pm and 5.30pm. A limited number of disabled parking spaces will be available at the centre but generally all visitors will be using public transport. A taxi rank facility will be created on the main road close to the centre. Between 35 and 40 per cent of those attending are expected to use Cheshunt Station and walk to the venue while two park -and-ride facilities, based at North Weald Airfield and the University of Hertfordshire, will be in use. Throughout the five days the Epping Forest District Council car parks in Cornmill, Quaker Lane and Darby Drive, Waltham Abbey, will be operating as normal.

Pub staff and customers robbed at knifepoint 3.12pm - 12th May 2012

TWO men armed with knives demanded money from the till when they robbed a Waltham Abbey pub. They also threatened customers forcing them to hand over their mobile phones. The raiders forced two members of staff to hand over a four-figure sum when they ran into the Wheatsheaf pub, Crooked Mile, shortly after 11pm last night (Friday). A staff member received a slight cut to his hand while being threatened by one of the thieves. Nine customers were threatened at knifepoint and ordered to hand over any mobile

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telephones. Three phones were stolen. Two female customers also had their handbags searched but nothing was taken. The thieves both ran off after about two minutes in the pub. Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Michael Orr said: "This was an extremely frightening incident for the staff and customers. "The thieves were brandishing what we believe were large kitchen knives and one member of staff was slightly injured during the incident. "We believe that the two thieves had been pacing up and down the road outside the pub for about 30 minutes before they rushed in. "We want to hear from anyone who saw them either before the robbery or afterwards when they ran off on foot." The men were both aged in their 20s and wearing black hooded tops, black jogging bottoms and black trainers. One of them was black, about 6ft tall and of large muscular build. The other man was white, about 5ft 10in and slim. Anyone with information should contact DS Orr at the Harlow Target Offender Team on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Five men jailed in drug trafficking case 3.09pm - 12th May 2012

FIVE men have been jailed for a combined total of 38 years for drug trafficking as organised crime groups across the county continue to be "torn apart" by police. Operation Basil was just one of nearly a dozen undercover operations run by Essex Police last year. Several intelligence-led police raids took place in Clacton and Waltham Abbey in June resulting in a number of people from the Clacton area being arrested and several kilograms of Class A and Class B drugs being recovered. They were charged with offences and appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court last October prior to some of their respective trials at the same court in March this year. Two of the men sentenced had been arrested in Waltham Abbey. Unemployed Simon Newman, 47, of Tenpenny Hill, Thorrington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and possession of criminal property. Unemployed David Cooper, 27, of Hendon Close, Clacton, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and pleaded guilty to the offence. At Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday (Friday) Simon Newman was jailed for a total of 11 years, made up of six years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and five years for conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. David Cooper was jailed for three-and-a-half years. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Gary Murray said: "This is just one of many organised crime groups which we have dismantled in the past few months. "These seizures cause considerable damage to criminals who choose to operate within Essex. Our policing activity contributes greatly to ensuring Essex remains one of the safest counties to live in." An AK47 was just one of many items seized by officers during undercover operations which ran throughout the financial year 2011 -12. Seizures of over 9kg of cocaine, 200kg cannabis resin, 93kg herbal cannabis were made with 150 rounds of ammunition and a handgun also recovered during raids and pre - planned stop-checks. DI Murray added: "These results should make criminals think twice about operating in Essex. We maintain on-going pro-active operations in a bid to tackle the serious and organised crime groups which look to operate in the fields of drugs, firearms and money laundering. "Where these groups operate, there is a social cost to communities, economic damage and increased violence." The operations that ran last year resulted in nearly 100 people being arrested and £140,000 being recovered - of which the force retains half of it under the Proceeds of Crime Act, allowing it to launch further operations to tackle criminality in the county.

Flower festival marks jubilee 2.38pm - 12th May 2012

FLOWER arrangements decorating St Nicholas Church, Fyfield, are on the theme of The Diamond Jubilee. The Fyfield Festival, which is on today and tomorrow (Sunday), also features various stalls and attractions. Today saw a display of classic cars and there is a children's concert at 5pm while the 11am Sunday service will be followed by bacon rolls. Hand bells will be played at 3pm. Stalls in the church grounds are selling everything from jewellery and handmade cakes to books, and there is also a barbecue and other refreshments available. Tomorrow also sees a dog show which will be judged by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre. Entries must be registered between noon and 1pm. Various scarecrows have been spotted around the village helping to promote the weekend.

For details on how to order prints of any of the pictures featured, email [email protected] or ring David Jackman on 07710 447868. All prints come in presentation folders.

Liz Bird's crown arrangement PICTURE 1

Julie Robinson with her display PICTURE 2

Val Donahue with her arrangement PICTURE 3

The flower arrangers who decorated St Nicholas Church, Fyfield, on a Diamond Jubilee theme PICTURE 4

Helen Webb with her floral arrangement PICTURE 5

Carol Cox with her altar arrangement PICTURE 6

Fran Homersham with her floral display PICTURE 7

Wendy Henshaw with her arrangement PICTURE 8

Gill Parham and tiara -wearing dog Jess with her display PICTURE 9

Singer wins school's talent competition 8.04am - 12th May 2012

DAVENANT Foundation School sixth form student Candice Goodman beat off 11 finalists to win the annual Davenant's Got Talent competition. The 16-year-old singer/pianist sung 'Wonderful World' to a 300-strong audience to reach

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the final four and then performed the Norah Jones song 'Don't Know Why' to clinch the title. The judging panel consisted of assistant head teacher James Donaldson, school governor and Parents Association committee member Lucy Folkes and last year's winners Richard and Benjamin Bobb -Semple. The three other finalists were Year 7 singer Bailey Whitty, Year 8 singer/guitarist Sydney Odart, and Year 12 dancer Gabriel Olawole who was runner-up. Candice, who won £100, said: "I was shocked and excited. I was so proud to win especially with my family and friends watching" Self-taught pianist Candice plans to spend her winnings at Nando's and on school books. Assistant head teacher David Parker said: "Davenant's Got Talent once again showcased an amazing group of gifted young people. "The auditions were the toughest ever, resulting in a final competition full of potential winners. "Dancers, magicians, bands and singers all performed wonderfully. Everyone in the large audience had their favourites and the judges had to deliberate for a long time before agreeing that this year's winner was Candice, a fantastic and popular choice. "The evening raised over £1,000 for the PA and once again Barclays Bank generously 'match funded' a member of the PA who works for them."

Davenant's Got Talent winner Candice Goodman click here

Appeal for volunteers 8.02am - 12th May 2012

VOLUNTEERS are wanted to help with a special event to be held in Waltham Abbey. Make a Move 2012 And Sparks Will Fly is being staged at the Waltham Abbey Town Show, Townmead, Waltham Abbey, on Sunday, June 24 (9.30am-3pm). Epping Forest Arts is appealing for helpers (packed lunch and training will be provided) to you assist with participant registration, disabled participants, helping the performers, providing information to visitors. staffing viewing areas, procession routes and performance areas, and providing an evaluation of the event. Make a Move will be bringing more than 300 dancers to the Town Show which will feature community members from care homes, schools and youth groups across the district. Make a Move will dovetail into the Sparks Will Fly event from 1pm. Sparks will Fly is an Essex-wide, Olympic inspired, spectacle that will bring two giant champions into Essex, Marina and Boreas. Marina will be leading the procession at the Town Show. For more details, visit www.sparkswillfly.org.uk . The deadline to offer to be a volunteer is May 31. For more details, contact Debra Coates-Reynolds on 01992 564553 or email [email protected] or ring Felicity Hall on 01992 564558, or email [email protected]

Homes plan for rugby club 3.57pm - 11th May 2012

PLANS have been unveiled for a development of eight homes as part of proposals for Upper Clapton Football Club in Thornwood. A planning application submitted to Epping Forest District Council is for a replacement club house and associated development together with outline planning for an "enabling development" of eight semi-detached houses. The application for the Upland Road site will be discussed by North Weald Parish Council before a decision is taken by Epping Forest District Council.

Winning hospice lottery numbers 3.55pm - 11th May 2012

THE winner of this week's £1,000 prize in the St Clare Hospice lottery lives in Harlow. The winning number is 266885. The winner of the £100 prize lives in Waltham Abbey. The number is 181413. For information about how to join the lottery visit www.stclarehospice.org.uk or ring 01279 773730 (Monday-Friday 9.30am-1.30pm).

Meeting to discuss health services 10.37am - 11th May 2012

THE group which from next year will be running NHS services across west Essex is holding its first meeting when the public can find out more about what will be different and how they can become involved. The GP-led West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (WECCG) will take over the role of NHS North Essex in April 2013 and wants to involve local people in shaping future health services. A workshop is being held on May 24, 9.30am-12.30pm, at Weston Business Centre, Stansted. The event will offer a choice of sessions including commissioning priorities - urgent care, long term conditions and older people - and Patient and Public Engagement (PPE). Dr Rob Gerlis, chairman of WECCG, said: "We are putting new methods in place to ensure meaningful engagement with everyone who has an interest in local health. "By engaging with patients and other key members of the community in the process from the beginning, it is hoped the public's contribution will provide a real sense of shared ownership. "This is an exciting time and we are very keen to build upon the hard work of NHS West Essex in keeping patients and the public informed about being part of the commissioning process. To do that we would very much like to welcome people to our workshop." Places at the workshop can be reserved by ringing 01245 459395 or click here Anyone who cannot attend but who would like to join as a member to ensure they are involved in the future can ring 01245 459395 for further information.

VAEF raises £2,250 at abseil 10.34am - 11th May 2012

A TEAM from Voluntary Action Epping Forest helped raise £2,250 for its Chat-Tea Befriending Project when they abseiled off the 110ft Church Langley water tower. VAEF's befriending co-ordinator Julie Bristow, executive assistant Debbie Smith, project supporters Jade Wilson, Aaron Bristow, Louis Bristow, Jes Marsh, Harry Shimmen, Joe Bristow, Andy Bristow, Bayley Smith and Sam Watson were among the brave abseilers at the Rotary Club of Harlow Tye event. The befriending project, which was started in April 2009, provides the elderly residents of the Epping Forest district with a volunteer befriender who visits members in their homes providing company and friendship and reducing isolation. The project now provides two weekly social clubs as an additional service for carers and befrienders which are held at various venues within the district accommodating up to 60 members each week. In addition to these services, a monthly lunch club is held and there

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are regular day trips arranged. Whilst these social clubs are operating, weekly respite is also provided for carers within the district. The project benefits elderly people across the district including some that suffer with dementia, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's and various mobility issues. The project reduces isolation, increases confidence and independence, enhances the use of local services and provides social activities. Referrals for members are often received from partner agencies including NHS West Essex and the work of the project has a direct impact on the reduction of hospital admissions as the members emotional well-being is greatly improved by the regular social contact provided. Subsidised transport is also given to members with no transport. This project has proved to be so successful that there is clearly a need for this service to continue and expand. At present all clubs are running at full capacity with a waiting list of 23 residents. The sponsorship money raised from the abseil will sustain the valuable project for a further two months. VAEF's Befriending project has also been shortlisted in the Heart of Essex Awards. To vote for the project and increase their chance of winning a share of £8000, text EC HOE, 003, your name and postcode to 65100 and remember to include the spaces. A text voting for the project costs 50p plus one standard network message rate. If you would like to add to either Julie's or Debbie's abseil sponsorship or even volunteer for the Befriending project, ring 01992 564518.

Loughton Festival fundraising result 10.33am - 11th May 2012

THIS year's Loughton Festival raised £3,584.70 for Haven House Hospice. In addition, the Lambourne End Centre, which participated in the festival, raised £4,750 with its Open Day events. The only grant received by the Loughton Festival this year was £1,500 from Loughton Town Council. The event has also expressed its thanks to Loughton-based firm Haslers Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors which provided the programmes. Most of the money for Haven House was raised by raffles, retiring collections, selling second hand books, paintings and bric-a-brac. Two concerts were also held for the charity. The Loughton Festival Committee is appealing for volunteers to help organise events this summer for next year's programme and also sponsors to help meet some of the costs of the events. This year some events had to be cancelled because of a lack of sponsorship. Next year the Loughton Festival will be supporting the Chigwell Disabled Group and Chigwell Riding Trust. Any organisations wanting to run events to raise money for the charities can contact 020 8508 2512 or email [email protected] Next year's festival will be shorter with events mostly in March and early April.

EXCLUSIVE: School has THREE ex -students in BGT final 3.40pm - 10th May 2012

WEST Hatch High School will have THREE former students performing in two of the acts in the Britain's Got Talent final on Saturday. Favourites Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli, who won Monday's semi-final, will be joined by ukulele player Sonny Jay, one-third of the group The Loveable Rogues who topped the viewers' votes in Tuesday's semi-final. The trio are all former pupils of the High Road school which was also attended by X- Factor star John Wilding, who reached the Judges' House stage of the competition for the last two years. Sonny left West Hatch in 2009 and has been performing with The Loveable Rogues for the last 18 months. They returned to West Hatch to perform at the school's Live Lounge session last year. Sonny said the group was "over the moon" to have reached the final. Like Jonathan and Charlotte, The Loveable Rogues have earned themselves massive support on the social networking site Twitter. While the likes of television presenter Emma Forbes, The Only Way is Essex star Debbie Douglas and Capital FM showbiz reporter Kevin Hughes have posted messages about Jonathan and Charlotte, The Loveable Rogues have been praised by the likes of Olly Murs and England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand. West Hatch High School head teacher Frances Howarth said: "We wish Jonathan, Charlotte and Sonny good luck for Saturday night's final. "Everyone associated with West Hatch High School is so proud of all that they have achieved so far but the support that they have received from the public and the judges throughout the competition indicates that this is only the start of exciting careers for all three of our former students. "They are all incredibly talented and are fine examples of everything that West Hatch - which has the motto 'The Best That I Can Be' - aims to achieve for its students through the hard work of the students themselves and also our dedicated staff."

Businesses holding jubilee event 3.37pm - 10th May 2012

TWO Church Langley businesses are joining forces to support St Clare Hospice with a day-long fundraising Jubilee day. Eden Hair Design and Co-op Travel will be holding raffles and running various other events on Saturday, June 2. Staff at Eden Hair Design will be dressing up as different Queens with customers and visitors invited to guess who they are. There will also be a raffle and a stall selling cup cakes with their fundraising running from 8am until 5pm. Stylist Sam Fields said: "We do have their collection boxes and do a lot for the hospice which is a good local cause." Staff at neighbouring Co-op Travel will be running a book stall and a raffle and also a children's colouring competition with entrants having to design a crown. Travel advisor Sharleen Wynne said: "St Clare Hospice is a very good charity. My nan was helped by the hospice and it is somewhere that is close to peoples' hearts."

Roll of honour unveiled at new medical centre 2.31pm - 10th May 2012

THE new Ongar and District Roll of Honour which features the name of some 598 local people who gave their lives in conflict has been unveiled at the new Ongar War Memorial Medical Centre. The unveiling was performed by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, and ten-year- old Tommy Sparks, whose cousin Royal Marine Georgie Sparks, from Theydon Mount,

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was killed wihile serving in Afghanistan in November 2008. After an introduction from NHS North Essex chairman Chris Paveley, Derek Berwin spoke about the three years' of work which had gone into researching the names of the fallen who are identified on the illuminated roll, which hangs in the first -floor reception area of the new medical centre. Mr Berwin said: "We remember every day of the year everyone who paid the ultimate sacrifice. This roll and its website will serve as a reminder of the service that the district's village people paid." A short service was led by Rev'd Trevor Mathews, chaplain to the 16th Air Assault Brigade. The Exhortation was read by Brigadier Malcolm Ratcliffe, president of the Essex Royal British Legion. At the end of the service a child from each of the four local primary schools laid a wreath beneath the roll of honour. In a moving speech, Tommy Sparks, a pupil at Buckhurst Hill Primary School, remembered his cousin Georgie. He told the audience of dignitaries, ex-service personnel and representatives of local organisations: "I'm so proud of my cousin Georgie who gave so much. Rest in peace all our fallen heroes." Internal work on the new medical centre - which stands on the site of the old Ongar and District War Memorial Hospital - is almost complete. It is expected that the building will be operational in September.

For a slideshow of pictures from the Roll of Honour unveiling service click here

For a slideshow of pictures of the new medical centre click here

FEATURE: Scarlet is more than a charity shop 5.45pm - 9th May 2012

WALK down Queen's Road in Buckhurst Hill and you can lose count of the number of fashion boutiques. Browse into the window of Scarlet and it looks the same as any of the other fashion shops - but Scarlet is something different. People may not realise as they glance at the window display but Scarlet is a charity shop, albeit a charity shop with a difference. Because of its location Scarlet sells designer fashion offering customers a regularly changing stock at knock-down prices. For example among the top-of-the-range items hanging on the rails was a new £650 designer dress on sale for £50. Sandra Mann, one of the shop's 18 volunteers who has helped since the shop opened in September 2007, said: "I love the shop. When I first came in I didn't realise it was a charity shop, it looked like a boutique, it looked so nicely laid out." And that is what Scarlet and its volunteers pride themselves on. Shop manager Helena Henriques said: "The difference is our location which requires us to be a bit more upmarket. "Our shop is based on brands - we have Monsoon, Karen Miller and Ted Baker, to name a few. We aim to sell designer brands but the reality is that the economic situation affects us as much as anyone else." She added: "People come in expecting us to have top-name items for a fair price but we can't control what we have, we rely on donations and the co-operation of the other St Clare shops who pass on to us anything that is top quality." Helena added: "It's important for people to realise that if they donate they are helping a good cause and that's the important message we need to get out." Margaret Moss, who has volunteered at the shop since before it opened, said: "I love clothes and we are helping the hospice. By volunteering here we have also made lots of new friends and get lots of regular customers." Louise Hamilton, St Clare Hospice's retail sales manager, said: "When we first considered opening a shop in Buckhurst Hill we knew a regular charity shop would not work, it had to be something special and Scarlet is certainly that. "Nestled among the coffee shops and boutiques Scarlet blends in well with its surroundings and is very successful at raising funds for St Clare Hospice. "We've developed a discerning clientele who appreciate the excellent customer service and stylish fashion available at Scarlet, so much so that Scarlet is now becoming a victim of its own success and as soon as the good stock goes on sale it is quickly snapped up by our fashion savvy customers. "All the other St Clare Hospice shops support Scarlet by sending the shop any designer donations they receive. However to develop and grow the income the shop generates for the hospice we need more stock to sell." Louise added: "By donating their formerly loved designer and top end High Street fashion to Scarlet our donors can rest assured that we will achieve the best possible price for their donations and they will be supporting a local charity that cares for local people with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families at one of the most difficult times of their lives." Last year the profit from all seven St Clare Hospice shops exceeded £427,000, all of which went to the hospice,. This year the charity needs to raise more as the cost of running the hospice and its services goes up year on year. Louise said: "Without our dedicated fashion conscious customers and the on-going generosity of our all our donors who give us goods to sell we could not run our retail business which makes such a substantial contribution to the running of the hospice. "We are exceedingly grateful for the local community's on-going support."

Scarlet, at 42 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill (020 8505 5110) is open Monday to Saturday 9.15am to 5.15pm).

Concert of Organ Wizardry at church 5.43pm - 9th May 2012

MUSIC from the Harry Potter films will be among the works performed at a concert of 'Organ Wizardry' at the Abbey Church, Waltham Abbey, to raise money for St Clare Hospice. The concert is at 7pm on Saturday, June 16, with the music to be played by Stephen Bullamore, Director of Music at the Abbey Church. Special requests for music to be played at the concert can be made by contacting the church office on 01992 767897 or emailing [email protected] . Tickets, priced £8 (£6 concessions), including refreshments are available from The Abbey Independent Funeral Directors Ltd on 01992 711892, email [email protected] or the church office. Funeral director Nicola Jarmaine said: "As funeral directors we help many families who have benefitted from the amazing support that St Clare Hospice provides. "Not only do those families take comfort in knowing that their loved one has received the best possible care but the families themselves feel supported and are so often better able to cope with the grieving process. "We have organised this concert to show our recognition for the invaluable work of St Clare Hospice."

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Supermarket seeks charity partner 3.05pm - 9th May 2012

CHARITIES in Loughton are in with a chance of receiving a year's worth of fundraising support thanks to the Sainsbury supermarket in Debden. The retailer's Local Charity Partner scheme is now in its fourth year. Staff are seeking a charity that they can support from June 20. Sainsbury's Debden is asking customers and colleagues to put forward the names of charities based in the area that are important to them. Between May 9 and 23 customers can vote for their favourite by completing a form and dropping it into the store's Local Charity Partner voting box at the front of the store. A shortlist will be drawn up and the store will then invite the three charities that they feel best fit the needs of the community to talk about how Sainsbury's can support them. The store will then choose a charity to partner with for the next 12 months. Store manager Matt Hazell said: "Our last charity partnership with the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs proved a great success and we're looking forward to continuing to support them. "Our customers now have a fantastic opportunity to help us support another local charity which is close to many peoples' hearts, so we hope they can help us in our search for your Local Charity Partner for 2012-13."

Woman injured in truck collision 3.03pm - 9th May 2012

A 19-YEAR-OLD woman was seriously injured when she was struck by a flat-bed truck in Ivy Chimneys Road, Epping. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened near the former Spotted Dog pub at about 7.20pm on Monday (May 7). A police spokesman said the collision happened as the woman, who lives in Epping, got out of a parked Ford Fiesta car. The truck was travelling from Theydon Road in the general direction of Centre Drive. Police are keen to speak to anyone who saw a flat-bed truck in the area before the collision. Anyone with any information should ring PC 387 Tisseyre at the Chigwell Road Policing Unit on 101.

School's Young Musician of the Year competition 3.02pm - 9th May 2012

FORTY Chigwell musicians took part in the annual Chigwell School Young Musician of the Year competition. The students, aged 11-18, performed in front of adjudicator Stephen Rumsey, a freelance conductor, chorus master teacher and coach who works principally in Essex and Suffolk. He is the artistic director of the music consultancy SyrinxMusic and for a number of years was a council member of the Society for the Promotion of New Music. After a total of 50 performances it was decided that flutist Brooke Newton, 13, was the winner of the Junior prize and pianist Isabella Bird, 18, the recipient of the Senior award. Mr Rumsey praised the way in which all pupils gathered round to support one another and was particularly impressed by the mature and professional way the pupils presented themselves. Isabella's performance captivated the adjudicator in the final with a highly charged and emotional rendition of Franz Liszt's Liebestraum No. 3. Chigwell School's Director of Music Howard Ebden said: "It was an enthralling day in every respect. Experiencing such mature performances from such young heads is a privilege." The other Junior finalists were Yasmin Antoniou (violin), who was highly commended, Rowan Jones (clarinet) and Aaran Vijayakumaran (violin). The other Senior finalists were Oliver Albert (voice), Beatrice Moore (violin), who was highly commended, Katie Marshall (piano), Ellie Shum (piano) and Jessica Maton (voice).

EXCLUSIVE: First glimpse inside new medical centre 11.23am - 9th May 2012

THE Roll of Honour at the new Ongar War Memorial Medical Centre will be unveiled at a special ceremony tomorrow. The research of the names of the local people who gave their lives for their country in the two world wars and other conflicts has been undertaken by Derek Berwin. The illuminated Roll of Honour, which hangs in the first floor reception area of the new building, will be officially unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, and Tommy Sparks, ten, the cousin of Georgie Sparks, the Royal Marine from Theydon Mount, who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan in November 2008. The new medical centre will offer a modern community healthcare service to the people of Ongar and surrounding villages on the site of the old Ongar and District War Memorial Hospital. Tomorrow's preview event - for invited guests only - is a chance for people to see how the new facility is progressing before it opens in the autumn.

For a slideshow of pictures of the new medical centre click here

Hospice launches 'early bird' collections 8.00am - 9th May 2012

FURNITURE which people want to donate to the St Clare Hospice shops can now be collected early in the morning. The hospice retail team is launching an 'early bird' collection service which is aimed at people who are not at home later in the day. Louise Hamilton, the hospice's retail sales manager, said: "We welcome items large and small which people want to donate for our shops but arranging collections of furniture can be difficult if people are out at work." Currently collections are made between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Saturday. Initially the 'early bird' furniture collection service will operate for a trial period in the Harlow and Sawbridgeworth areas on Friday mornings starting at 7.15am The new service will start on Friday May 25. Paul O'Sullivan the hospice van driver, said: "It will mean that we will have to set our alarm clocks earlier but we want to do all we can to make it easier for people to donate their unwanted furniture which can be sold for the hospice." Anyone wanting to donate furniture should ring the Harlow shop team on 01279 639760 or the retail office on 01279 454596 for information about the type of furniture needed and to arrange an 'early bird' visit from Paul and Trevor.

School selects head boy and head girl 7.57am - 9th May 2012

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WEST Hatch High School has elected its new head boy and head girl. All Year 12 prefects at the High Road school were eligible to apply. Sarah Harris and Michael Crump were among those who went through a tough selection process. The sixth form leadership team checked that applicants have met appropriate standards (including attendance and punctuality), and they then had an interview with head teacher Frances Howarth, deputy head of sixth form Kathy Green and the current head girl, Ellie Shillaker. They also presented their ideas to their peers during a speech at a Year 12 assembly. Voting was open to Year 12 students, all sixth form tutors and the sixth form leadership team. Kathy Green said: "We had an excellent turnout this year with almost every Year 12 turning up to choose their preferred head boy and girl. "The role of the head boy and girl and their team includes representing the sixth form and the whole school, organising and managing volunteer prefects for open evenings, making speeches at parent events (including the sixth form open evening), organising the sixth form prom, running charity events, meeting with the head teacher regularly to discuss sixth form issues and feedback to prefects and other students, and attending recruitment events to help hand out information and answer questions from students/parents who may be considering West Hatch High School." Michael, 16, said he was "proud, happy and excited" to have been elected and was looking forward to representing the school and to a link between teachers and staff. Sarah, 16, said: "I'm very happy and really privileged to have been chosen. I really wanted to do it and am really happy to have been voted in. "I will be representing the school at events, speaking to people who visit the school."

Road collision sparks witness appeal 7.03pm - 8th May 2012

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a collision involving a motorbike and a Transit van in Theydon Bois. The incident happened at about 2.35pm on Thursday April 5, on the B172 Coppice Row and involved a black Suzuki motorcycle and a silver Ford transit. The motorcyclist was wearing distinctive all-in-one light-coloured leather. The black Suzuki motorcycle was travelling from Theydon Bois in the general direction of the Wakes Arms roundabout. Police are keen to speak to anyone who saw the motorcycle being ridden in the area before the collision. Anyone with any information should ring PC 387 Tisseyre at the Chigwell Road Policing Unit on 101.

Four boys robbed in Loughton 7.03pm - 8th May 2012

DETECTIVES are appealing for information following a robbery in Loughton. The attack happened when four teenaged boys were approached by a group of three teenagers at Spider Park, off Chigwell Lane, shortly after 8pm on Friday, April 27. Police say they threatened the boys with violence, forcing them to hand over a mobile telephone and a designer man bag. As they were leaving they also stole two BMX cycles. Investigating Officer Detective Constable Katherine Clarke said: "These boys were pretty shaken up by their ordeal while their parents have also been distressed by events." The three robbers are described as being in their late teens or early 20s and were wearing hoodies. Two of them are black while the white teenager had a strap-on cast on one of his arms. The victims were uninjured. A search of the area was carried out, including liaison with the nearby London Underground stations, but to no avail. Anyone with information should contact detectives at Harlow Police Station on 101.

School praises "inspirational" BGT pair 6.45pm - 8th May 2012

THE head of music at West Hatch High School, Chigwell - who first put Britain's Got Talent favourites Jonathan and Charlotte together as a duo - has spoken about their "inspirational" performance. Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli received a standing ovation from the judges, led by Simon Cowell, on last night's live semi-final. They are now favourites to win the competition - £500,000 and a place performing at the Royal Variety Performance. The pair first sang together while students at the High Road school. Head of Music Ginette Brown said: "'Charlotte and Jonathan's stunning performance on Monday night's Britain's Got Talent semi-final was nothing short of inspirational. "Their talent, work ethic and professionalism paid off earning them a place in Saturday's final. They are a credit to themselves, West Hatch and the Music Department! "Myself and my music colleagues at West Hatch, including their singing teacher, are incredibly proud. "Seeing two of our music students performing live in front of millions of viewers was breathtaking and I hope their love and commitment to studying voice inspires many other young people to do the same. "Please vote for them on Saturday and change their lives, they both really deserve all that this wonderful experience will hopefully bring."

Water tower abseil raises £48,000 6.43pm - 8th May 2012

LAST weekend's charity abseil at the Church Langley water tower raised almost £48,000 for charity and local organisations. Some 161 people took part in the event which was organised by the Rotary Club of Harlow Tye for the fifteenth successive year. The money that has been pledged will go to 74 different schools, groups and charities, three-quarters of which are locally based. In addition, the wives and partners of Rotary club members raised almost £1,000 from the sale of refreshments (aided by generous support from the three local Tesco stores), knitted toys and entertainment for children. This money will go to Hounds for Heroes, which provides support dogs for injured emergency service staff and the forces. This year's contribution will bring the total raised over the 15 years to £650,000. Special thanks go to Veolia Water for allowing the continued free use of the tower and to their staff who provide practical assistance, and Dukes Barn outdoor activity charity for their staff who provide the professional expertise. The Rotary club also thanks NewHall Projects (for a fifth time), 1st Call Mobility (for the second time), Mark David Enterprises (for the second time); Pure Ingredients Marketing and Barnes-Roffe Accountants (for the third time) for their invaluable corporate support,

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and to everyone who contributed to make this another successful year. Among the organisations benefiting this year were 7th Harlow Scouts, PACT (Harlow), St Clare Hospice; Salvation Army (Harlow), Michael Roberts Charitable Trust, Harlow Community Chest, Holy Cross Academy, Friends of Broadfields School and Motability.

Blaze at industrial unit 7.54am - 8th May 2012

AN investigation will be carried out into the cause of a blaze at an industrial unit in Chigwell. Three fire crews - from Loughton and Hainault - were called to the premises in Gravel Lane at about 11.15pm last night (Monday) Firefighters reported that the back of the unit was well alight. Once the fire was out, by 1am, they used a high pressure fan to clear the building of smoke. An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "A joint police and fire service investigation will be carried out to establish the cause."

Guiders raising money for trips 7.15am - 8th May 2012

MEMBERS of 1st Epping Guides are raising money to pay for a visit to Switzerland in August. The girls, aged 11-14, will be staying in Kandesteg, near the International Scout Centre and visiting Our Chalet, the Guide international Centre in Adelboden. During the trip the girls will undertake activities that will promote team work and leadership skills, from travelling up Europe's highest mountain railway past the north face of the Eiger to see ice houses and take part in rafting, tobogganing, abseiling down mountain gorges and visiting Thun. Guider Janice Woodruff said: "We will join in with the Scouts for the International Campfire on our last day. It will be truly amazing." Senior Section Guides (aged 14+) in Epping and Chigwell Rangers are going to Iceland in August. They will be experiencing the unusual environment that the country offers, from white water rafting and jumping into deep rivers and trekking to experience all that the volcanic scenery offers. Each section has been working together to raise funds for the trips. To help raise the money the youngsters have bag packed, had a Switzerland Family fun night, cooked bacon butties and made tea and coffee for parents of young footballers at Stonards Hill throughout the winter, Zumba'd, sung songs onto a CD of campfire songs (soon to be available on EBay) put together a games book, which is available on EBay, made cakes and are now organising two fashion shows. Janice added: "Guiders have been planning these trips for two years, putting their spare time into planning, staying safe and fundraising." The first fashion show is a 'Kids on the Catwalk' children's clothes show at Epping Primary School, Coronation Hill, Epping, on Saturday, May 19 (3pm-4pm). A professional photographer will be available to take family photos. Kids fashion up to approximately age 12 wll be featured. Tickets can be bought on the door. On Wednesday, June 13, there is a Wardrobe Mistresses Ladies Fashion Show at Stonards Hill scout hut, Epping (7pm for 7.30pm) with clothes - sizes 8-16 - at discounted prices. Tickets, priced £5 - with a glass of wine on presentation of ticket. Tickets for both shows are available in advance by ringing Janice on 07702 892956 or Julia on 07761 225614.

West Hatch pair into Britain's Got Talent final 10.02pm - 7th May 2012

WEST Hatch High School singing stars Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli are through to the final of the ITV show Britain's Got Talent. The opera duo won tonight's semi-final and will now feature in Saturday night's final. Simon Cowell, who said at their audition that Jonathan should "ditch" Charlotte because he thought she was holding him back, tonight heaped praise on Charlotte saying the decision for them to remain as a duo was the best thing they had ever done. All four judges gave the pair - who were put together as a duo by their music teacher, Ginette Brown, the head of music at the Chigwell school as part of their GCSE music course - a standing ovation. Cowell described their performance as one of the best he had ever heard on Britain's Got Talent later adding that they were "world class". Within seconds of their performance they were 'trending' on the social networking website Twitter as among the most talked about subjects on the website. Television presenter Emma Forbes (@EmmaForbes) wrote: "Jonathan and Charlotte prove that singing is a 'gift' and boy do they have that gift!!" Capital FM showbix reporter Kevin Hughes (@Popprince) wrote: "Jonathan and Charlotte just stole the show." Sky News presenter Sara-Jane Mee (@skysarahjane) wrote: Jonathan & Charlotte genuine friendship & genuine talent. Got my vote!" Debbie Douglas, from the ITV2 series The Only Way is Essex,(@debbietowie) wrote: "A true ESSEX boy Jonathon on BGT well done west hatch school chigwell others who went west hatch joey frankie lydia and ricky

What did you think of their performance? Email your comments to [email protected] or send them via Twitter @eefnews

Jo Revitt (@JRevitt on Twitter) wrote: "Just breathtaking. Such amazing talent that deserve to become international stars."

Three held over knifepoint burglary 11.36am - 6th May 2012

DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses following an aggravated burglary in Sheering when a woman was threatened at knifepoint. Police say a man gained entry to a property in Orchard Close between 6.45pm and 7.20pm on Thursday. The female victim was threatened at knifepoint. Jewellery worth over £20,000 including a Rolex watch and diamond rings were stolen. One is a gold ring with nine diamonds in a cluster, a gold ring with emerald and diamonds and another oval shape emerald with diamonds. The victim's car was driven a short distance around the corner before being abandoned. The suspect is believed to have been driven off in another vehicle. Detective Sergeant Mick Orr said: "This was a frightening attack on a vulnerable lady in her own home. "We are keen to speak with anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident who may have seen this man or men and this vehicle and they are asked to

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contact the Target Offender Team at Harlow." Two men from Roydon, aged 28 and 34, and a 22 year-old man, from Sheering, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy to burgle and have been released on police bail while enquiries continue. Anyone with any information should contact Detective Constable Gav Morris at Harlow Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

BGT LATEST: Jonathan "not ill just very worn out" 11.36am - 6th May 2012

SOPRANO Charlotte Jaconelli has reacted to media speculation that singing partner Jonathan Antoine may have to quit Britain's Got Talent saying he is "just very worn out" from all the rehearsing. At least one media report has suggested that Jonathan may have to quit the show, which goes live from tonight, because he was laid low with the 'flu. However writing on Facebook, Charlotte - who first sang with Jonathan when they were students at West Hatch High School in Chigwell - said: "To anyone who doesn't know JONATHAN WAS NOT ILL just very worn out from all the rehearsing it doesn't affect our performance and not once has it been suggested we would drop out !!!!! Everybody gets the flu :) and he feels a million times better!" The pair have also posted a message thanking everyone for their support. "We are so very happy as I'm sure you can imagine!! So looking forward to performing again! Thank you so much for the support xxx." Everything Epping Forest understands that Jonathan and Charlotte will be appearing in the live semi-final early next week.

More abseilers take the plunge 11.34am - 6th May 2012

MORE than 70 fundraisers are taking part in the Rotary Club of Harlow Tye charity abseil from the 110ft Church Langley water tower today - after participants yesterday raised some £25,000 for charity. Dozens of different charities are benefiting from the event which is being held for the 15th consecutive year during which time more than £601,000 has been raised for more than 350 organisations and charities. Among the organisations being supported today are the Copped Hall Trust, BLISS and Voluntary Action Epping Forest's Befriending Project.

Debbie Smith, from Voluntary Action Epping Forest, on her way down from the top of the 100ft water tower click here

BGT singers reach live shows 8.27am - 6th May 2012

BRITAIN'S Got Talent stars Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli are through to the live semi-finals of the ITV show. The pair, who attended West Hatch High School in Chigwell, are among the 45 acts selected by the judges for the live shows which start tonight. Bookmakers William Hill have quoted the pair as 3/1 favourites to win the competition. They appeared in the first audition programme and since then their audition has been viewed more than 12.5m times on YouTube.

What do you think of Charlotte and Jonathan? Pass on your messages of congratulation via Everything Epping Forest. Email [email protected] or send your comments via Twitter to @eefnews

Jo Revitt (@JRevitt on Twitter) wrote - Congratulations! Great to see gr8 talent recognised. You will go far. Good luck 2 u both.

Police appeal over burglaries 8.26am - 6th May 2012

POLICE are appealing for any information following two burglaries at neighbouring properties in Epping Green. The break-ins occurred at properties along the B118 Epping Road between Jacks Hatch and Sumners Farm between 1pm and 3pm on Thursday afternoon. The owners are still assessing what has been taken but the missing items include various pieces of jewellery. Anyone with any information or who witnessed any suspicious activity or vehicles between 1pm and 3pm should contact Detective Constable Liz Young, at the Target Offenders team at Harlow on 101, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Abseilers raise money for charity 5.01pm - 5th May 2012

THOUSANDS of pounds is being raised for charity this weekend by brave fundraisers who are abseiling from the 110ft Church Langley water tower. Among those taking the plunge today was Graham Marfleet, from Harlow, who knew nothing about the abseil until about 20 minutes before he took part! His wife had arranged it as a birthday surprise - he will be 43 on Monday week - and had even arranged sponsors to support him and raise money for the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK. Graham said: "I knew nothing about it. I was even blindfolded on the way here!" Standing on the top of the tower just moments before abseiling off, he added: "It's amazing, a bit scary but good." Also taking part was Epping Forest District Council chairman Ken Angold-Stephens who was raising money for his chosen charities, St Clare Hospice and Home -Start Epping Forest. Other charities benefiting from the abseilers today were the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, the Kerrie-Fitzjohn Memorial Trust, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Harlow Stroke Support Group. Some 170 abseilers are taking part in this year's event which is again being organised by the Rotary Club of Harlow Tye.

For a slideshow of pictures click here

Did you take part? Describe the experience and highlight your fundraising efforts. Email the information to [email protected]

New leader "delighted and proud" to win ballot 4.20pm - 5th May 2012

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THE new Conservative group leader on Epping Forest District Council has said he is "delighted and proud" to have been elected following a leadership challenge vote. Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common councillor Chris Whitbread was nominated to stand against leader and Chigwell councillor Lesley Wagland - and beat Mrs Wagland by just one vote in last night's vote. The leadership challenge - which followed another 12 months ago when Mrs Wagland beat Passingford councillor Di Collins - was exclusively revealed by Everything Epping Forest yesterday afternoon which also broke the news that there was to be a challenge against deputy leader and Theydon Bois councillor John Philip. Mr Philip, who only retained his seat by 53 votes at this year's election, was ousted by Waltham Abbey councillor Syd Stavrou who takes over as the group's deputy leader. Mr Whitbread, who was deputy leader to Mrs Collins, told Everything Epping Forest today: "I am delighted and proud to have been elected as the Conservative Group leader along with Syd Stavrou as my deputy. "We have a very talented group and look forward to working together for the good of our residents."

Man jailed for "harrowing" assault 10.22am - 5th May 2012

A 28-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment following a serious assault on a 64-year-old Sheering man in Harlow. The victim was found with serious injuries on a playing field near Mallows Green, Harlow, last January. Unemployed Bradley Burnip, of Mead Lane, Hertford, was arrested on February 2 and charged with attempted murder however he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Yesterday (Friday) he was sentenced to eight years and the attempted murder charge is to remain on file. Investigating officer Detective Constable Nicholas Rhodes said: "The evidence against Burnip was overwhelming and proved his guilt in committing a harrowing, unprovoked attack on his victim, which was as a result of a trivial disagreement."

Woman's lucky escape in shop crash 9.37am - 5th May 2012

A WOMAN escaped uninjured when the car she was in crashed into a shop in Buckhurst Hill. The East of England Ambulance Service was called at 8.40am today. A rapid response car and ambulance were sent to the scene. Ambulance spokesman Gary Sanderson said: "The initial 999 call we received was to a car gone right through the shop. "The woman was checked over by the ambulance crew and she did not require to go to hospital."

MP hails "vote of confidence" results 8.49pm - 4th May 2012

THE district council election result which saw the Tories swell their numbers by two councillors demonstrate a "terrific vote of confidence" in the Conservative group, Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing has said. Speaking at the count this afternoon, Mrs Laing said: "Once again Epping Forest has bucked the national trend. “Our Conservative group on the district council has done a brilliant job over the last year keeping council tax at last year's level saving taxpayers money but not cutting frontline services. "They (the Conservative group) have been rewarded with a terrific vote of confidence by the electorate." She added: "I am sad but not surprised to see some of our disappointing results around the country. “On the doorsteps people have been telling me that they feel ignored, they want the Prime Minister to show that he understands the difficulties people are having and to give them some hope that things will soon get better. "The Prime Minister has a really tough job to do clearing up the mess left by Labour while balancing the coalition. “I am sure he will pay attention to the message that the British people have said to him today. I hope he will listen to the grassroots of the Conservative party – the real people of Britain– rather than the intellectual urban elite who seem to surround him. "Margaret Thatcher once said ‘every Prime Minister need a Willie' referring to Willie Whitelaw. "It is a pity that David Cameron doesn't have a Whitelaw-type figure, with wisdom and experience to give him advice. ”

BREAKING NEWS: Leader ousted in vote challenge 8.09pm - 4th May 2012

DISTRICT council Conservative group leader Lesley Wagland has tonight been ousted in a leadership challenge by a single vote, Everything Epping Forest understands. She has been beaten by Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common councillor Chris Whitbread. He comfortably retained his seat today having been up against several candidates whose election campaign focused on the consultation being carried out over the future of the Centrepoint site and other land in St John's Road, Epping, and their belief that a supermarket should not be one of the options for the land. Everything Epping Forest understands that an alternative candidate had been lined up to challenge Mrs Wagland had Mr Whitbread lost his seat today. Everything Epping Forest has also been told that there is also a challenge for the position of deputy leader with Waltham Abbey councillor Syd Stavrou challenging Theydon Bois councillor John Philip. Mr Philip today retained his district council seat by just 53 votes. He polled 581 votes with Liberal Democrat candidate Roland Frankel getting 528 votes. Mrs Wagland has only been leader for a year. This time last year she won a leadership challenge which saw the end of Passingford councillor Di Collins's spell as leader. Chris Whitbread was deputy leader to Mrs Collins who retired from the council at this year's election.

Hospice holding open morning 8.09pm - 4th May 2012

ST Clare Hospice is holding an open morning to give people a chance to find out more about the wide range of services that it offers. Visitors are welcome at the hospice, in Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood, at 10am on

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Wednesday, May 16. There will be a chance to meet the hospice's care team and find out the latest on the services provided. Hospice volunteers, supporters and representatives from local agencies will be among those present. Following a welcome from St Clare Hospice Chief Executive Tanya Curry there will be short presentations from Inpatient Unit Manager Beth Burton, focusing on the hospice's specialist care services, and communications manager Giles Wright. Giles said: "We are holding the morning to help highlight the wide range of services which are provided free of charge to patients but require the generosity of local people to fund them. "We are constantly looking at ways to raise the profile of the hospice and its services and hope that those who come along will then spread the word about us." There will also be an opportunity for visitors to go on a tour of the hospice. Anyone planning to attend should contact Giles Wright on 01279 773752.

Business group grows 5.14pm - 4th May 2012

THERE is nothing better than word of mouth to get a message across - and that is certainly proving successful for a business group which holds weekly meetings in Epping. Eppnet Business Networking was launched six years ago and has since become well- established as a forum for local business people to promote their services. Vincent Goode, Eppnet's vice-chairman and membership secretary, said: "There is nothing more powerful than word of mouth marketing to promote your business. Coming to our meetings you meet new people each week and they can then spread the word about your services, so the net widens." Trades covered through Eppnet's membership range from a plumber and printer to financial advisor, car mechanic and wedding photographer. To preserve member exclusivity, Eppnet only allows one business/person to be a member from each business sector. Vincent said: "We are a local group of like-minded people who meet weekly to promote our businesses and to generate business for each other." The Wednesday breakfast meetings include time for one-to-one networking, presentations from members and occasional guest speakers. Vincent said: "We offer a range of memberships, from full membership to associate membership, which is for those who cannot commit to weekly meetings. "We are looking to increase our membership to 30 people which will mean more business opportunities for every member." For more about Eppnet, which meets on Wednesday mornings at the Bell Hotel, Bell Common, Epping, visit www.eppnet.co.uk or ring Vincent Goode on 07931 580031.

EXCLUSIVE: Tories face another leadership battle 3.06pm - 4th May 2012

THE leader of Epping Forest District Council will tonight face a leadership challenge vote for the second successive year. Twelve months ago council leader Di Collins lost the leadership of the Conservative group in a vote with councillor Lesley Wagland. Now Mrs Wagland herself is being challenged by councillor Chris Whitbread who was deputy leader to Mrs Collins. There is also a challenge for the deputy leader's position with Waltham Abbey councillor Syd Stavrou having been nominated to stand against current deputy leader John Philip. When asked about the leadership vote at today's election count at Theydon Bois Village Hall, Mrs Wagland said: "As far as I am concerned the election has been a great success for the Conservatives which indicates that in a very, very challenging year we have delivered what our residents want and that has been done under my leadership and this cabinet and the fantastic efforts of the Conservative group."

Police helicopter joins hunt for suspects 8.40pm - 3rd May 2012

THE Essex Police helicopter has been over Chigwell this evening assisting officers on the ground hunt for suspects following a suspected burglary. Reports indicate that the helicopter was seen flying low over the Limes Farm area. In a message on the social networking website Twitter (@qh99heli) the crew said it was called in at 7.30pm and cleared a large area for officers on the ground. Police enquiries are continuing into the incident.

Flood alert for Roydon properties 6.10pm - 3rd May 2012

THE Environment Agency is warning Roydon residents that the River Stort is rising and that two Flood Warnings for the Hertfordshire/Essex watercourse have been issued. A spokesman said the River Stort has continued to slowly rise as it responds to the heavy rainfall earlier this week as the water works its way through the river network. A Flood Warning means property flooding is a real possibility in some locations along the river. The Environment Agency continues to monitor the developing situation closely. The river has burst its banks and is flooding low lying land and roads in several locations along the river. River levels are rising significantly around Harlow Mill, Burnt Mill Lane, Roydon Lodge Chalet Estate, Roydon Mill Caravan and Camping Ground and Parndon Mill. In Sawbridgeworth, property is at risk at Esbies Estate, Station Road, Sheering Mill Lane, Lawrence Moorings and at other riverside homes. There have been several reports of roads being flooded in and around the Bishop's Stortford area. The Environment Agency is also monitoring the River Roding, which remains high in reaction to the recent spell of heavy rain. The river is currently on Flood Alert but is also expected to continue to rise over the next few hours. Mandy Sullivan, of the Environment Agency's Area Flood Incident Management Team, said: "We are urging residents to remain vigilant to the threat of flooding as the rain that crossed the area overnight has caused the Stort and Roding rivers to rise. "Property flooding could be seen within the next few hours in these areas as the rivers will continue to rise into this evening when levels should peak, although any further rainfall tonight is forecast to be light. "We have also been in touch with people and businesses in these areas to warn them of the risk of flooding and to be prepared to take action if necessary. "Our teams have been out monitoring river levels, checking flood defences and removing any blockages that may increase the risk of flooding." The Environment Agency is urging people to keep away from swollen rivers and not to attempt to walk or drive through flood waters. Floodline Warnings Direct sends messages directly to those signed up when flooding is possible in the areas where they live. Warnings issued to homes and businesses by phone and text message includes localised

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information about potential flood risk from rivers and the sea, with clearer advice on actions to take to help safeguard lives and property. You can monitor rising water levels during a potential flood at over 1,700 river online

Amputee swims 65 lengths for charity 4.50pm - 3rd May 2012

AN amputee hopes to raise £2,500 after completing a marathon 65-length swim. Monica Richardson, 61, of Springfield, Epping, swam the Sport Relief Mile - a total of 65 lengths non-stop - at Waltham Abbey pool, just ten months after she underwent a below knee amputation. Monica said: "I'm really thrilled at the way people have responded with the amount of money sponsored. "I love swimming so it was really a question of focusing, getting into the groove and getting on with it - there was someone at the deep end calling out how many lengths I'd done which helped me keep count." She added: "I swam breaststroke throughout, face in the water, breathing every second stroke. "I just look at it that £5 buys a mosquito net that saves a child dying of malaria. "I'm a grandmother of three so that is particularly important for me. " Anyone who wants to boost Monica's fundraising total can sponsor her online

Monica Richardson with husband Ian click here

Rain forces cancellation of events 1.56pm - 3rd May 2012

TWO popular events have been cancelled because of the recent heavy rain. The Swaines Green May Fayre and the Rotary Club of Chigwell's May Day Fayre on Chigwell Green have been called off because of the conditions. The Friends of Swaines Green, which was due to hold the Swaines Green May Fayre on Saturday, say the amount of rain has left the ground waterlogged and unusable. It is hoped to arrange a fayre in the summer. Organisers of the Bank Holiday Monday May Day Fayre in Chigwell took the decision to cancel Monday's event after visiting the site earlier this week. A spokesman said: "Although not waterlogged the ground is soft and a vehicle has been on it recently and caused some damage. We cannot put forward an alternative date for another event at present."

Special award for tax associate 11.12am - 3rd May 2012

A TAX associate at Loughton-based chartered accountants Haslers has been awarded a prestigious industry prize for her outstanding exam success. Imy Underwood, 23, recently passed her final Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) exams, in the process winning the President's Medal which is awarded at the discretion of the President of the ATT to an outstanding candidate. Imy has also been shortlisted for the Outstanding Employee of the Year Award at the Essex Countywide Business Awards. Imy received her medal from ATT President Stuart McKinnon at a lunch at the Glazier's hall, London Bridge. She said: "I am over the moon about winning the prize, it just shows that hard work and dedication does reap it's rewards." Clare Munro, tax partner at Haslers, said: "I would like to join everybody at Haslers in congratulating Imy for passing her exams and receiving this prestigious prize, as well as being shortlisted in the Essex Countywide Business Awards. "She has worked tremendously hard during her studies, while also showing great dedication to her work at Haslers. "Imy has added real value to the firm, strengthening our position as an award-winning accountancy practice in Essex and Greater London."

Imy Underwood receives the Association of Tax Technicians' President's Medal as an outstanding candidate from Stuart McKinnon click here

Weighbridge found at homes site 9.34am - 3rd May 2012

AN historic and long-forgotten artefact discovered underground and covered in asphalt at the McCarthy & Stone development in Ongar has helped provide an apt new name for the complex. The Assisted Living development next to Ongar Station - where the former Ongar Goods Yard was based until 1968 - will be named 'Weighbridge Court' following the unearthing of a long-lost Great Eastern Railway (GER) cart weighbridge that dates back to 1889. Epping Ongar Railway general manager Simon Hanney had alerted the McCarthy & Stone construction team about the possibility that the artefact could still be under the site having noticed it mentioned in historic railway documentation. He said: "We knew it had been ordered by the GER, but due to its size it would have fallen out of use after the withdrawal of the horse and cart, and its fate was unknown. "We had hoped it would still be buried somewhere on the site, and are very grateful to McCarthy & Stone's site manager for accommodating our request to keep an eye out for both this, and any other items of interest. "When it was found, the site team took great care to remove the cast iron weighbridge and we were delighted when they also chose to donate it to our heritage railway. "Our specialists have since removed the many layers of asphalt to reveal the original detailing including the manufacturer's name and date which exactly matches the date it was ordered. "We have installed it adjacent to one of our Grade II listed buildings to form a fitting entrance to the platforms which are also currently being renovated for passenger use. McCarthy and Stone marketing manager Sharon Callcut said: "Protecting the proud heritage of the communities in which we build is something that is very important to us. "We always aim to select names for our development that reflect the culture and history of area, and in this case, Weighbridge Court seemed to be a very fitting title. "We very much support the ongoing endeavours of the Epping Ongar Railway in its restoration of Ongar Station and are extremely proud to have been able to contribute something to the project. "Once the steam and diesel hauled passenger trains are back up and running we are sure they will provide our future residents with the perfect nostalgic backdrop to their comfortable new McCarthy & Stone lifestyles." Visitors will be able to see the restored weighbridge when the railway resumes passenger services on May 25. Discounted tickets for the special weekend are available to purchase online .

The weighbridge which was found at the McCarthy and Stone development site click here

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Students reach Chemistry Challenge final 9.15am - 3rd May 2012

A TEAM from West Hatch High School, Chigwell, made it through to the final of the London School Chemistry Challenge. The students competed at Imperial College having been selected from some 250schools to be in the final eight. The team - Sahij Daliwal, Mikail Aktas, Thai Nguyen, Monish Paul and Balint Samad - gave a presentation on the Wittig Reaction which was discovered by Georg Wittig (who won the Nobel prize for it in 1954) and is a way of synthesising alkenes. Teacher Lizzy Murdock said: "Unfortunately the students didn't win but I felt the level of science they had researched and understood was higher than all the other groups. "This was quite some achievement when the majority of the finalists were sixth formers from selective schools." Despite failing to win the competition, the West Hatch Year 11 team received glowing comments from the judging panel which including Lord Robert Winston. He said: "We were very impressed that you chose such an important reaction to chemistry, and put your case across very well. "We particularly liked that you researched medical applications of the reaction." Also taking part in the competition, but who were not placed in the final, was the West Hatch High School Year 10 team of Talisha Patel, Nisa Muti, Adil Sait, Sameen Khan and Mahria Ayub.

Hats off to sixth form models 9.13am - 3rd May 2012

TWO sixth formers at West Hatch High School, Chigwell, modelled for celebrity designers Kruszynska and the Queen's milliner Eda Rose Lawson at a charity fashion show. The event, at Ascot Race Course, was in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association. Freya Catamur-Hill and Alexa Page models from King Edward's School, Witley, Surrey, and professional girls as part of a combined project. West Hatch High School's Marketing and Development Director Caroline Haines said: "The girls looked stunning and worked so hard for two days. "They were poised and assured - a tribute to the best that the school stands for." Other models and outfits created by students at the High Road school can be enjoyed at the school's forthcoming fashion event. Tickets for the evening - in the school hall at 7pm on Tuesday, May 22 - are available from Naz Hussain or Caroline Haines at the school, priced £3 each. The fashion show is based on a fancy dress theme. Jewellery made by the students will be on sale at the event which celebrates West Hatch High School's fashion week. T-shirts are being sold to celebrate the event. Each visitor to the fashion show will receive a goodie bag and there will be stalls selling clothing and a raffle. It is hoped that there will also be a guest appearance by one of the stars of the television series The Only Way is Essex.

Figures add up for students 8.58am - 3rd May 2012

WITH the mathematics faculty at Roding Valley High School producing its best ever GCSE results in 2011, the school is on a mission for constant improvement no matter what the level of students' success before they joined the school. With a large number of Year 11 students having already completed their GCSE Maths early, in November last year, they have already achieved 21 per cent of their maths grades at A*and A. With the further improvements expected from this summer the school again expects to smash the national figures for these grades in 2012 while also breaking the record grades achieved for C+ in 2011 to produce another Roding Valley High School record. Some 37 of the school's current Year 10 students have already achieved Mathematics GCSE results at A* and A grade with the figure set to increase over the next four terms so that all the school's higher grade targets are met and records surpassed. The pressure is therefore on both the students and staff if the 2013 results are going to give Roding Valley a third successive record breaking year. Head teacher Paul Banks said "The outstanding improvement in results over the last two years across the whole school is something that we are all incredibly proud of. "The performance of students in Mathematics is one of the main reasons for our continued success as a school. "Working under dedicated and expert staff our students have, once again, achieved amazing results."

Walkers support The Dream Factory charity 8.01am - 3rd May 2012

HEAVY rain failed to put off hardy walkers who turned out to support The Dream Factory charity for a sponsored walk at the River Lea Country Park, Waltham Abbey. 'The Dream Walk', held on Sunday, and organised by the Rotary Club of Epping, raised over £500. The walk was supporting the charity which makes dreams come true for children and young adults who have either life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. The charity was founded by Epping mother Avril Mills after her son, Oliver, lost his fight with leukaemia at the age of nine. Avril said: "About 20 walkers took part in the event which was great considering the downpours and the muddy conditions. "We want to say a big thank you to everyone who came along as the weather conditions had been awful and so sadly a lot of people were put off turning out. "I want to say a massive thank you to Thomas Lee, one of our 'dream families' for supporting us on the wet and windy day and to the Rotary Club of Epping for supporting The Dream Factory and organising the event. "Without the support of local groups and individuals we would not be able to fulfil so many dreams."

Walkers prepare for their sponsored walk to raise money for The Dream Factory click here

Special birthday for band stalwart 7.57am - 3rd May 2012

A SURPRISE 'family and friends' party was held to celebrate the 75th birthday of a stalwart of the Epping Forest Pipe Band. Winifred Bredin is the honorary president and current treasurer of the band which provided some of the music at the gathering in Chingford on Sunday. Winifred, the widow of the band's founder member, was born in Thorpe Combe Hospital

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in Walthamstow and grew up with her father in the family home in First Avenue, Walthamstow. She married Bryan Bredin, from Ilford, in Chingford in 1961 and lived in Leyton for the first few years, where she had her first son, Alan. They later moved to Woodford Green, where she had her second son, Simon, and daughter Sandra. Winifred was a Scottish Highland and Country dancer when she was younger and her husband was a Bagpiper. They toured the UK and Europe. Bryan later formed a Pipe Band in Walthamstow and latterly the Epping Forest Pipe Band, based in Chingford, now nearly 40 years old. Winifred made all the kilts and plaids by hand and still does to this day, now a much sought-after kilt maker. Winifred now lives in Harlow and regularly travels around with the band as their 'banner carrier' and 'Mum to the band'. She has just returned from her third trip to Australia, visiting relatives, which also included a four-week tour of New Zealand.

Winifred Bredin celebrates her birthday click here

Five -and -a-half inches of rain last month 9.17am - 2nd May 2012

AMATEUR weather enthusiast Tony Harvey measured over five-and-a-half inches of rain in Epping during April. The figure is in stark contrast to April last year when, according to Mr Harvey, just 0.09ins of rain fell making April 2011 the driest month of the year for the third consecutive year. The wettest day this April was Saturday, April 28, when - measured at 9am on Sunday, April 29 - just over an inch of rain was recorded. The warmest day of last month was Monday, April 30, with 63 degrees F, yet in April last year there were two days when the Epping temperature nudged 80 degrees F. There was also a high incidence of thunder days this April.

Village set for 'barbecue of a lifetime' 7.23am - 2nd May 2012

VILLAGERS in Moreton will be celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with a massive medieval ox roast. The celebrations will take place in the centre of the village on Bank Holiday Monday (June 4) - once a team of people have worked for 22 hours cooking the ox using two tonnes of wood for the fire. Local councillor Tony Boyce said: "It will be a unique opportunity to experience the barbecue of a lifetime." The event starts at 6pm. Tickets, priced £5 each for a roast roll and salad - with live music playing in the centre of Moreton - are available from both pubs in the village.

Meeting to hear about Olympic parking 7.21am - 2nd May 2012

THE Waltham Abbey Annual Town Meeting will hear about parking and traffic management issues during the London 2012 Olympics and events at the Lea Valley White Water Centre. The meeting is at Waltham Abbey Town Hall, Highbridge Street, at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 10. The meeting will include the minutes of last year's meeting and a report from the leader of Waltham Abbey Town Council giving some insight into the previous year's work and projects that have been undertaken by the council. A presentation will then be made from the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, supported by officers from Epping Forest District Council. It will give details of the arrangements regarding resident parking during the Games and any traffic or parking restrictions that may be put in place. There will also be a talk on the Localism Act 2011, and its implications for local communities by an officer from the Planning department of Epping Forest District Council. The meeting is open to all Waltham Abbey civil parish residents. Refreshments will be available.

Debut marathon raises £2,000 7.18am - 2nd May 2012

A LONDON Marathon runner hopes to have raised about £2,000 for St Clare Hospice having entered this year's race in memory of Susan Bowcher, from Ongar, who lost her long standing battle with cancer a year ago. Alan Randall completed the 26.2-mile course in 5hrs 24mins. He said: "It was a great day and I really enjoyed the experience of taking part in the London Marathon for the first time and raising some much-needed funds for St Clare Hospice. "Susan was very popular and well known in the Ongar area having worked as a teaching assistant at Shelley Primary School for many years. "Although I only met Susan briefly, she was a lovely lady who was sadly taken well before her time. "I opted to try to raise as much as possible for St Clare Hospice with permission of her daughter, Hayley Bowcher, in the memory of her mum. "My partner worked with Susan's daughter, Hayley' and when I heard I had been successful in the ballot for a place in the marathon I remembered how highly Hayley had spoken of St Clare Hospice regarding the care her dear mum had received so I decided this would be a fantastic charity to raise some funds for and also I was honoured to run in memory of Susan." Alan, 49, an electrical engineer supervisor who lives in Hoddesdon, had previously run more than ten half-marathons and entered the first 15 of the Harlow '10' races until he moved out of the area a few years ago. Alan said: "St Clare Hospice is an amazing organisation that does amazing things, offering fantastic care and support to the unfortunate people who are in their hours of need, offering comfort, dignity and compassion that is so needed to patients friends and families." Some 20 runners took part in this year's London Marathon for St Clare Hospice. Between them they hope to raise £22,000, which could fund six patients in the hospice's in-patient unit for a whole week. To sponsor Alan, visit his webpage http://www.justgiving.com/Alan -Randallvlm2012

Appeal hearing to decide building's fate 9.55pm - 1st May 2012

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THE future of a well-known building in Epping High Street will be decided at a public planning appeal hearing. Epping Town Council will be represented at the hearing into the future of the former Pearce's Bakers premises at 208-212 High Street but councillors are concerned about the lack of publicity the appeal hearing has received. A planning inspector will decide whether the premises can be demolished to make way for a mixed use development of A3 restaurants and eight residential units. The hearing will take place in committee room 2 at the Civic Offices, Epping, at 10am on May 15. Councillor Tony Church said: "I've been approached by so many people who really object to this (proposal). "This is a very important site. If it goes through by default it will set a precedent for the High Street. I'm really concerned that the public are not getting a voice. "If the hundreds or thousand people in Epping who are objecting are voiced (at the hearing) through one channel - the town council - that's one voice and those in favour of it might have three or four voices. "I think this (the hearing) should be opened up to the public so that the inspector is aware that this is something that the people of Epping are interested in." Councillor Barbara Scruton said: "It's about protecting the High Street."

Town council elects new mayor 9.52pm - 1st May 2012

EPPING Town Council has elected Liberal Democrat councillor Jon Whitehouse as the new town mayor. Mr Whitehouse, who has lived in Epping since he was six weeks old, said he was "very proud and privileged" to have been elected. He said: "I want to support and encourage the community organisations which make this town such an harmonious and welcome place to live. Mr Whitehouse thanked last year's mayor Ken Avey for serving as mayor for a second term, the first having been in 2004. He said: "He has guided us through a year's worth of meetings and represented us with distinction. We do appreciate and recognise his past year." Conservative councillor Will Breare-Hall was elected as deputy mayor.

Councillor Jon Whitehouse receives the mayor's chain of office from councillor Ken Avey click here

Epping mayor Jon Whitehouse with deputy mayor Will Breare -Hall click here

Parish council recognises community efforts 6.50am - 1st May 2012

A WOMAN who has been involved with community life in North Weald for more than 30 years has received the parish council's Citizen of the Year award. Doreen Lodge has looked after the footpaths in the village and supported the parish council over many years. Doreen is a member of the Royal British Legion and deals with the Poppy Appeal and wreaths for Remembrance Sunday. She is also a member of The Ramblers Association and is involved with the village preservation society. Citizen of the Year runner-up was Mick Sheen who is chairman of the local Neighbourhood Watch and attends Neighbourhood Action Panel meetings representing Thornwood. The Under-16s award was presented to the local Beavers pack. Nikki Smith-Pryor, who was nominated by Mick Hazell, received the award jointly for the "tremendous" effort and time she has given over the past couple of years to keep the pack running. There is now a waiting list of youngsters wanting to join. Nikki is also involved in local charity work while also looking after her three young sons. Roy Sudra, of North Weald Post Office, received the Community Recognition Award for the service he has offered customers for the last 20 years. Roy was described as "a well-known personality" who offers "a very good service to local residents". The Group Award went to Jackie Kelly and Lynn Austin for their work organising and looking after Hastingwood Village Hall. Community recognition runners-up awards were presented to June Peachey, who has run the North Weald Village Life community magazine for six years, and Dhruve Vasani, of North Weald Pharmacy. Dhruve was described as "an outstanding humanitarian". His nomination stated: "He never says no to anybody even if it means going out of his way to help. He will deliver medication to anybody who is unable to get to the pharmacy or has no one to do it for them." The awards were presented by North Weald Bassett Parish Council chairman Cyril Hawkins at the annual parish assembly held in North Weald Village Hall. A special award, of a box of chocolates, was made to Imogen Bedford who decided to ask for donations instead of presents for her ninth birthday. She presented £70 to St Clare Hospice at Hastingwood.

The under-16 award is presented to the village beavers and Nikki Smith-Pryor click here

Roy Sudra, of North Weald Post Office, receives the Community Recognition Award click here

Dhruve Vasani, of North Weald Pharmacy, and his staff with the Community Recognition runners-up award click here

June Peachey receives her Community Recognition runners-up award click here

Jackie Kelly (left) and Lynn Austin receive the group Award click here

Mick Sheen receives his Citizen of the Year runners-up award click here

Doreen Lodge is presented with the Citizen of the Year award click here

Imogen Bedford, nine, receives her special award from parish council chairman Cyril Hawkins click here

New ambassador for choir 6.48am - 1st May 2012

FORMER Broxbourne mayor Mark Mills-Bishop has taken on the role president and ambassador with Three Valleys Male Voice Choir. Mr Mills-Bishop has been a fervent supporter for some time, especially in his year of office when the choir sang at a number of fund-raising concerts.

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He says he is honoured to be invited and promises to use his contacts to publicise and support the choir. Choir secretary Nigel Thomas said: "We are very fortunate to get someone as enthusiastic as Mark as our figure-head." Mr Mills-Bishop attended the choir's last concert, in St James Church, Muswell Hill, when over £1,000 was raised for the North London Hospice. The choir is going from strength to strength with a number of new pieces being introduced. The latest is the Queen number Bohemian Rhapsody. Anyone interested in joining the choir should ring Nigel on 01992 630981. Forthcoming concerts are on Saturday, May 12 at St John the Baptist Church, Widford, and Saturday, June 23, at St John the Baptist Church, Loughton (both 7.30pm). The choir, with about 30 members, is keen to increase its numbers to 40 or more. Open evenings are held to recruit new members. The choir practices at the Friary, Holbrook North, Waltham Cross, every Tuesday (7pm for 7.30pm until 9.30pm). There is no charge for the first term. In the autumn, for the past five years, the choir has gone on tour to other parts of the country or abroad. This autumn the choir is visiting Chester (September 28 - October 2). For more details, ring Tony Moore on 01279 415563. For more about the choir, visit www.3valleymvc.org.uk

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02/07/2012