Theydon Picks Up Two Major Awards In RCCE Competitions:

Theydon Bois - Class 1 Winner Essex Village of the Year 2016

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 2 Theydon Picks Up Two Major Awards in RCCE Competition Theydon Bois - Class 1 Winner Essex Village of the Year 2016 Once again our Village achieved success in two Essex County Competitions. Tony Ames and Jim Watts Editors of the Theydon Bois Village News and Website attended the Rural Community Council of Essex Community Magazine Awards in Coggeshall and picked up two awards for our village.

They were surprised when it was announced at the magazine ceremony that Theydon Bois had been judged as the Class One Winner Essex Village of the Year 2016 in this county wide competition for all Essex Villages. This award was to have been presented at the RCCE AGM in Chelmsford, but unfortunately no Theydon Parish Councillor was available to attend on that evening when the awards were made. Tony & Jim were requested to accept this award for the village on behalf of the Parish Council, but were unaware it was being made hence their surprise.

This is not the first time that the Village has been successful in what was previously known as the Best Kept Village Award, but is now in a slightly revised form with differences in the judging of the competition. Despite having been well placed in recent years we have not achieved the First Place in Class 1 (Larger Villages) since 2007.

The judges praised the real sense of community spirit they found in Theydon and were impressed with how this came across in our Village Magazine and Website.

They further praised the contributions made to village life and the upkeep of the village by the many village volunteer groups and societies such as the Litter Pickers, Churchyard Volunteers, Horticultural Society, Tree Wardens, PAT and Rural Preservation Society. All these contributions by village organizations added to the final score sheet that resulted in us Tony Ames receives the Essex Village of the Year gaining the first place prize. Award from RCCE Chairman Nick Charrington Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 3 Theydon Picks Up Two Major Awards in RCCE Competition Village News - Joint 3rd Place Essex Community Magazine Awards 2015

Tony Ames receives the 3rd Place Community Magazine Award. L-R Julian Reed – Essex Life, Tony Ames, Nick Charrington – RCCE Chairman, Roger Morris – Bishop of Chelmsford. This was not the only award Tony and Jim returned home with that evening as Village News achieved joint 3rd place in the RCCE Community Magazine Awards against forty other entrants from the County. The competition was for all Essex Community Magazines produced by volun- teers during 2015 and three issues from the year have to be submitted for judging. Again this is not the first time Theydon has gained success here as we have achieved 1st place 6 times since 2003 plus a number of runner-up prizes.

Some of the plaques/certificates Theydon has gained in both competitions over the years are displayed on the Home Page of the Village website: www.theydon.org.uk

Stall Holders - Time to Book for the Theydon Bois Christmas Market 2016 The Parish Council is delighted to remind you that, following the success of last year’s community Christmas market, a similar event will take place this year on Friday 2nd December 2016 so now is the time to book a stall for this popular village event to ensure you get a space.

The time for the market will be 6.30-9.00pm on Friday 2nd December 2016. Set up time will be by 5.00pm and the Parish Council will ensure the area is floodlit for the evening. We will also ensure the road closure and diversions are in place and mar- shalled, with help from our local police force.

Please inform the Parish Clerk as soon as possible if you would like to participate in the market by completing and returning the tear off slip from the form available via a link on the Village Website or from the Parish Office. A deposit in the form of a donation of £15 per stall is re- quested, with your application, to secure your space. This will be given to the nominated charity for the event.

For further information please contact the Parish Clerk either by telephone on 01992 813448 or e-mail [email protected]. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 4 Parish Council Chairman’s Report

It seems a very short time since I was writing the last Chairman's column where I welcomed three new Councillors to the team. I am happy to say that since then we have been able to co-opt a further new member, Rob Phillips. That brings us to 10 Councillors, only one away from the correct number. If anyone is interested in serving on the Council, please talk to me in the first instance and do come along to our monthly meetings. I have not mentioned this much recently, but all the meetings of the council are open to the public domain and we would welcome people coming to see what we are doing.

At our last meeting, it was upsetting to hear of a number of occasions where non-neighbourly behaviour had been occurring. There were glass bottles being smashed in the Playground, the goalposts on the Green broken, and yet again, many instances of inconsiderate parking. As a Parish Council, we continue to provide, maintain and enhance the CCTV provision in the village and will work closely with the Police over issues of damage and continue to press the NEPP over parking issues.

By the time that this is published, I expect that the Traffic Regulations covering the Green and the corners of Woburn Ave will have been published and that we will be very nearly at the point of implementation. While this in no way addresses all the issues in Theydon Bois, it is at least the first real progress we have had on parking since on-street parking was removed from EFDC and transferred by ECC to NEPP.

Elsewhere in the Village News there will be more details of the upcoming consultation on the Local Plan. We will be ensuring that we respond as a Parish Council, but I would urge you to make sure that as many as possible respond to this consultation.

I expect that the first time we talk about it in any depth will be at our Full Council meeting at the end of October. One key point to remember is that this is a consultation and the Plan will be revised as a result of the responses received. If you feel strongly about any of the proposals, and I expect many of you will, our best course of action will be to provide strong evidence-based reasons why there should be changes. We have to recognise that with a plan covering the period up to 2033, we as a village must take our share of the development, but we should not be expected to do anything that would fundamentally change the character of Theydon Bois.

I hope you all have a good summer, and I look forward to working together on the Local Plan and, before the next Village News, celebrating at our Christmas market! JOHN PHILIP

New Parish Councillor - Rob Phillips Rob Phillips moved to Theydon Bois in 2011, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.

He works in Mayfair as the Bunkering Manager within the shipping department of a large steel company and holds a Masters degree in International Trade and Maritime Law.

He is a keen gardener, enjoys country walking and history and is passionate about preserving the rural character of the English countryside. He is looking forward to serving the village community within the Parish Council. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 5 Parish Council Details Update Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 6 Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 7 News from County Hall Waste and recycling centres I am concerned about changes the county council plans to introduce to our local waste and recycling centres. From 31st October 2016, neither of the recycling centres in Epping Forest district will accept DIY waste (i.e. soil, hardcore, plasterboard, heavy ceramics such as toilets and sinks), dismantled fitted bathrooms and kitchens). They also won’t accept any form of waste or recycling delivered in vans or other commercial-type vehicles.

This means residents who look after their own DIY or only have access to a van will need to travel to the other side of Harlow or alternatively Mountnessing to dispose of their waste. I accept that some businesses have been abusing the current service by using the Waltham Abbey and Chigwell recycling centres to dispose of their business waste for free at taxpayers’ expense. However this seems a heavy-handed response and has raised concerns about fly-tipping which is already a problem as people who visit the forest regularly know. I have supported a challenge to the decision which means it should be re-examined by a committee of councillors and hope a reasonable compromise can be found.

Bus service consultation The county council is proposing changes to some of the bus services it subsidises. For Theydon Bois residents this means the possible loss of the last 418b (Loughton –Theydon Bois - Harlow) service of the day which leaves Theydon Bois at 11.06pm. The Wednesday and Friday 46D (Ongar – Abridge – Theydon Bois - Epping) service may also be withdrawn or replaced.

To find out more and have your say before Wednesday 28 September please fill in the survey online at https://surveys.essexinsight.org.uk/BusConsultation or call 03457 430 430 or visit a library for a paper copy.

Local plan consultation As you may have read elsewhere (see page 9), Epping Forest District Council will publish its Local Plan this Autumn. This will set out future policies for housing and other development in our district until 2033 and so the detail is crucial if we want to maintain what makes living in Theydon Bois and Epping special while meeting local needs. There will be formal consultation between Monday 31 October and Monday 12 December. I encourage everyone with an interest to respond.

The local plan clearly has an impact on county council services as new development means new demands on school places and road and transport infrastructure. It’s also important new buildings are built with the needs of a growing older population in mind. The county council will therefore formally respond to the local plan consultation focussing on the services for which it is responsible.

Reporting highways problem A reminder that local highways problems – of which there are plenty – can be reported online at www.essexhighways.org/Report-a-problem.aspx or by phone at 0345 603 7631. Although main roads are inspected frequently most residential side roads are only fully inspected once a year. Therefore the council relies on people to report problems between inspections. Frustratingly even then the county council does not set itself a target time for repairs to non-emergency defects on local roads, which is why some problems linger for so long. Councillor Jon Whitehouse County member for Epping & Theydon Bois Telephone 01992 561875 Email: [email protected] Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 8 Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 9 Local Plan Update - EFDC August Press Release Epping Forest District’s Local Plan – a blueprint for our future

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) has reached the next step in our Local Plan, and will soon be asking for your input and feedback. With a renewed emphasis from Central Government on the need for every district to have an up-to-date Local Plan in place in 2017, EFDC has been working hard towards the next stage of the draft Local Plan. The draft Local Plan will outline the proposed strategy for the next 17 years to meet the economic and housing growth in the district, identify potential sites for development and regeneration and set out the proposed development management policies.

Councillor John Philip, EFDC’s Cabinet member for Planning Policy commented: “At the heart of Epping Forest District’s draft Local Plan is your feedback. You have helped us shape the emerging draft plan through the Community Vision consultation in 2010, 2011 and then the Community Choices consultation in 2012.

The consultation will be launched on 31 October 2016, subject to the draft Local Plan receiving full Council approval on 18 October 2016, with draft documents available on the Council website from 28 September 2016. There will be a number of ways to get involved in this stage of the draft Local Plan, access relevant information, and provide your feedback.

Dates and locations are being finalised but look out for further information in a Local Plan Update newsletter that will be issued district wide, a new Planning Our Future website, and the council’s Twitter and Facebook feeds. The new Planning Our Future website will ensure that it is easier and more convenient for you to provide the council with your feedback online. Your local representatives will be briefed about the Draft Plan and the consultation process as final details are secured to ensure that they are able to direct you to all of the information you will need to take part in the process.”

Councillor Philip added: “This is your Local Plan. This is our opportunity as a community to ensure development in Epping Forest District takes place how and where we want it to. This plan is a balance between the requirement from Government to deliver the identified and evidenced need for economic and housing growth, but ensuring it is delivered in as sensitive, sustainable, and fair a way as possible across the whole district.”

Current Timetable:

 Evidence gathering & background work (Oct 2011 - Sept 2012)  Issues & Options preparation and public consultation including initial sustainability appraisal (30 July 2012 - 15 Oct 2012)  Preparation and sustainability appraisal (Oct 2012 - May 2016)  Draft Plan consultation (31 Oct 2016 - 12 Dec 2016)  Preparation of Submission Plan and Sustainability Appraisal (Oct 2016 - April 2017)  Pre-submission publication and representations on soundness (6 weeks) Regulation 19 (June/July 2017)  Submission to Planning Inspectorate for Examination Regulation 22 (Nov/Dec 2017)  Examination in public (EiP) Regulation 24 (Subject to discussion with the Planning Inspectorate and timetabling) (Spring 2018)  Expected adoption and publication (including policies maps) Regulation 26 (Oct 2018) Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 10 Xxxxxxxx Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 11 Theydon Bois & District Rural Preservation Society In July members of the Society, and visiting bee keepers, were ‘stung’ pleasurably by a fascinating talk by Tricia Moxey about bees – their history, habits and current threats to their habitat. This was followed by our AGM that included details of our year of upholding our aims of protecting the village and its Green Belt environment. Our appeal for volunteers for the Committee has very recently borne fruit but we would still welcome four more.

At the AGM we announced that the Consultation on the new Local Plan will start on Monday 31st October and last for six weeks. This will affect the whole District, including Theydon Bois, and show where many new houses and infrastructure are proposed to go and where Green Belt will be lost. It is essential that everyone in the village studies it, attends one of the proposed exhibitions and responds actively. The Society will do everything it can to help formulate a response that we think promotes the best interests of the village and the aims and objects of the Society.

As usual we supported the Donkey Derby with a page in their programme brochure and an exhibition stand that included pictures of the first donkey derby, held at Birch Hall by the Buxton family in the early 1900s as a way of promoting the care of donkeys, which were then routinely used for transport and often abused.

Many enjoyed our guided walks in June and July and the last one this year will be on 25th September when we will endeavour to identify the many common, rare or unusual trees in the village environs. The walk will start from the Village Hall at 2pm. and last for about two hours.

Have you ever wondered why Orchard Drive is so called? Do you have any fruit trees in your garden? The Society is working with the Parish Council to try and establish a new orchard on a piece of ground in the village and on 7th October at 8pm in the Village Hall we invite you to meet Michael Clark, the voluntary warden of Tewin Orchard in Hertfordshire. He will bring examples of the fruit and illustrate the life of the orchard in a free talk that includes reference to the mammal hide which visitors can book to watch the badgers, foxes and deer present at twilight during the warmer months, April to October.

At the time of writing new plans have been put forward for the redevelopment of the Sixteen String Jack site and we will actively study these as we do routinely for every application for the village. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 12 Countryside Walks - Greensted

Epping Forest Countrycare is Epping Forest District Council’s award winning Countryside Management Service. It is the key resource for advice, information and practical assistance on the countryside, nature conservation and wildlife law. Countrycare undertakes a wide variety of community-based activities and coordinates a regular programme of practical conservation work. They have prepared some guided local walk leaflets. These walks take in some lovely areas of countryside and some interesting and informative history. Choose your walk based on an area or the length of walk you would like. In this and future editions of Village News we will try to include details of some of the walks but you can download complete leaflets from http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/index.php/out-and-about/countrycare/get-involved/walks

GREENSTED COUNTRY WALK

The History - There has been a settlement at Greensted since the Saxons. Located in a natural clearing, which would have been a stark contrast to the surrounding Epping Forest, the name Greensted is derived from Saxon term “Sted” meaning “Place” therefore Green Place. The first Saxon settlers would have worshipped pagan gods. However in 654 A.D. St Cedd, a Saxon trained at a Celtic monastery, converted the Saxons of Greensted to Christianity. It is believed the first Church was built soon after. Evidence of two simple wooden buildings under the present chancel floor was found in an archaeological dig in 1960. These are believed to have been built in the late Sixth or early Seventh Century. The current Church is named after the Patron Saint of Scotland, St Andrew, which points to the Scottish roots of its founder.

In 1843 six farm workers from Tolpuddle in Dorset were arrested for forming a Trade Union to campaign for better working conditions. They were sentenced to transportation to Australia to work in chain gangs as slaves. After the sentence was announced the working class rose up in protest at the unfair judgment and 800,000 people signed a petition to have the men released. In 1837 the farm workers were pardoned of all charges and allowed to return to England. However, they were unable to return home due to opposition from Dorset farmers. Instead they were granted farm tenancies in Greensted and High Laver. A few years later they emigrated to Ontario in Canada.

ABOUT THE WALK - The Greensted Country Walk is an attractive 4 ½ mile circular walk near Ongar. It will take approximately 3 hours to complete. Alternatively you can split the walk into two shorter circuits; both of which are approximately 2 ½ miles long. The footpaths on the walk are in good condition, but they will become muddy after wet weather, particularly Penson’s Lane and in very wet weather it is recommended to do the shorter route to avoid this section. There is a small amount of road walking involved along main roads, please take care whilst walking along these. Please follow the Country Code. Keep dogs on a lead near livestock, and keep to the footpath when walking across privately owned land. There are several parking places along Ongar High Street, there is also a pay and display car park by Ongar Library. For any footpath queries please contact Essex County Council on 08457 430 430. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 13 Countryside Walks - Greensted (continued)

POINTS OF INTEREST - Map on next page

1. Greensted Hall - Greensted Hall is privately owned and as such only glimpses of it can be viewed through the hedgerows which surround it. The Hall was built in about 1700 on the grounds of the old Manor house which had once belonged to Richard de Luci. Richard de Luci was the Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire and later Chief Justiciar of England, which is the medieval equivalent of the Prime Minister. He also built Ongar Castle.

2. St Andrews Church - Perhaps Greensted’s most famous feature is St Andrews Church. With its cloven oak walls the Church is the oldest wooden church in the world. It was built around 1060 A.D, and although features have been added since then it still retains some of the original wooden planks used in construction in 1060. The church is open to the public during the day but they do ask visitors to put plastic bags over muddy shoes to help keep it clean. These are provided in the porch. For more information on St Andrews a guidebook can be purchased in the church.

3. Greensted Wood - This ancient woodland was mentioned in the doomsday book, commissioned in 1085 by William the Conqueror to record information about Settlements in England. The wood is made up of hornbeam coppice, cut for firewood and oak trees grown for timber. Greensted Wood is a local wildlife site (Ep168) owing to its ancient woodland status. The remains of a roman villa were found in one of the fields next to the wood.

4. Penson’s Lane. - Penson’s Lane is part of an old Roman road from London to Colchester. The remnants of an ancient wood form hedges bordering both sides of this historic lane creating a corridor for wildlife which connects the small woods and ponds seen along its length. These ponds were created when gravel deposits found along the lane were extracted to make up the railway. Penson’s Lane is also a Local Wildlife Site (Ep171). Local folklore says the lane is haunted by two ghosts.

5. Epping to Ongar Railway - This track way started life as an extension of the Great Eastern Railway which terminated in a field on the edge of Ongar. The line’s construction heralded the golden age for agriculture in the area; many farms used the line to transport milk, meat and other farm produce up to London. The line was discontinued in 1994 after a considerable decline in use.

A few years later the Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society was formed. They concentrated on improving the infrastructure of the tracks and stations and today steam and diesel locomotives run between North Weald and Ongar as a tourist attraction.

6. Cripsey Brook - The quietly meandering Cripsey Brook flows under the A414 at Ackingford Bridge. No longer a drover’s road, this important route linking Epping to Ongar carries much traffic. Away from the bridge where cattle once watered, the Cripsey Brook winds its way to Ongar where it joins the River Roding. In the summer the azure blue flash of a kingfisher or the insistent rattle of a dragonfly’s wings may be witnessed amongst the teaming life found along its length.

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 14

Countryside Walks - Greensted (continued) xxxx Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 15

Theydon Bois Action Group Local Planning Matters - A new planning application (EPF/2000/16) for the development of seven apartments and one cottage has been submitted for the Sixteen String Jack PH site. Theydon Bois Action Group will give consideration as to whether these new plans overcome the reasons why the Planning Inspector dismissed the earlier appeal.

TBAG has also written objections to a revised application for a replacement dwelling at 26 Piercing Hill (EPF/1548/16) and an application for a detached residential annexe to Theydon Hall Lodge in the Abridge Road (EPF/1464/16), because of their potential impact on the Green Belt. Although just outside Theydon Bois Parish, we objected to a development of fourteen x 4 bedroom detached houses on the Abridge Golf & Country Club (EPF/0232/16) as this could have set a dangerous precedent for similar Green Belt sites. District Development Management Committee Councillors supported the Planning Officer's recommendation and voted to refuse permission.

As part of our aim to protect the Green Belt around Theydon Bois, we have also written objections to two separate applications along the Abridge Road for Certificates of Lawful Development (CLD) for a change of use of agricultural buildings/land to business storage purposes: EPF/1005/16 - Magnolia House and EPF/1227/16 - Mossford Green Nursery. CLDs are often applied for where an unlawful activity has been carried out for a number of years on sites which are secluded and difficult to monitor and have therefore remained undetected by EFDC Enforcement.

Protecting the Green Belt - In June, while EFDC were continuing their work on the new Local Plan, an important and highly relevant letter, headed "Development on Brownfield and Green Belt land", was sent from the Planning Minister to all Members of Parliament for English Constituencies. In his letter, the Minister stated that "The Government has put in place the strongest protections for the Green Belt."...... "and that Green Belt boundaries should be adjusted only in exceptional circumstances, through the Local Plan process and with the support of local people. We have been repeatedly clear that demand for housing alone will not change Green Belt boundaries." TBAG fully endorse this ministerial statement and look to EFDC and the Planning Policy Portfolio Holder to implement this policy and not weaken protection of the Green Belt in Epping Forest District by unnecessarily changing existing Green Belt boundaries.

We welcome the Government's commitment to develop brownfield sites for housing and note that the new London Mayor has pledged to protect the Metropolitan Green Belt. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), to which TBAG is affiliated, has stated that there are at present some 200,000 approved planning permissions for new homes in London which are as yet unbuilt and this gives some indication of "Land Banking" by developers.

It is widely accepted that it was Treasury "policy" to build our way out of the recession and developers, in lobbying Government, favour the easy option of building on green field and Green Belt sites rather than brownfield. It will be interesting to see if the new Government administration (Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister) sets out planning policies which actually give greater protection to Green Belts in practice, rather than the previous mixed messages with changes to legislation and the General Permitted Development Order, which have allowed significant developments to take place in Green Belts.

Theydon Bois Action Group www.theydonbois-actiongroup.co.uk Protecting the Village of Theydon Bois - Follow @TBActionGroup on Twitter Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 16 Focus on You - Graham James

Introducing Graham James who does a multitude of roles in our village, as well as being a Volunteer at the Re-USE Centre, a Social Enterprise and Charity based in Epping.

Tell us about the things you do in our lovely village? - “I am on the management committee of the Village Hall. In fact I am a Trustee for the Village Association which is responsible for the running of the Hall. You are never alone with a Village Hall as there is always something going on! I also help out at the Theydon Bois Drama Society by making props including furniture; in fact anything to help make up the set for whichever performance they are working on. I play Short Mat Bowls in the hall each Thursday, Table Tennis (very gently!) in Loughton and am part of the Litter Pick Team which meets on the first Saturday of the month.

What are the skills necessary to carry out the roles you undertake? “I have an electrical background as I used to work for British Telecom as an Engineering Manager . I retired in 1992 and was still relatively young and wanted to keep myself occupied. I started to do odd jobs around the village such as decorating & that’s when I got involved in the Village Hall by doing odd jobs there.

How did you get involved with the Re-USE Centre? - Re-USE was set up about 3.5 years ago and after about 6 months they sent a flyer around to all the local churches asking if anyone knew someone that could do Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). I was a member of the Men’s Forum at the Baptist Church, the notice was read out and I thought it was a job I could do. So I went up to the Centre and was quite impressed & this is where I work now, two days a week, on a voluntary basis.

What are the typical challenges you face when working at Re-USE? - “There are a number of volunteers who work here and my main purpose is to clean, function test and safety check all the electrical goods that come into the Centre. We take in items such as washing machines, hi-fi’s, cookers, vacuum cleaners, TVs, fridges, freezers – in fact most electrical goods – generally in good working order. Very occasionally items that are not fit for purpose come into the Centre. Even then, we can get money for them via scrap dealers or people that require components for other projects.”

How do you manage your workload, especially urgent jobs? - “One of the paid staff will provide a schedule of works to ensure that if something is required urgently, or something has been reserved by a customer, we will ensure that those items take priority.”

What are the real benefits and ‘up’ sides of the Centre? - “Products are generally in very good condition and they are exceptional value too. One of the things we offer here is a start-up kit for anyone on benefits or a low income and moving into an empty property. The kit will comprise basic bedroom furniture, basic lounge furniture, cooker and a washing machine – all depending on the size of premises they are moving into.”

How can people get involved? - “We are open Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.00pm and then on Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm. In terms of volunteering, we are always looking for people to work in the office or on the sales floor and it’s an excellent way to ‘give something back’ to the local community. I really enjoy working here and it gives me a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that I have re- cycled items that would otherwise have been scrapped. We are looking for people who are retired, have time on their hands, looking to get back to work or graduates during break periods. Work like this always looks good on a CV too!”

What about ‘ME’ Time, how do you spend yours? - “I do modeling! That’s in the model aircraft and yacht sense. This is a great way for me to relax, unwind and sniff balsa dust! Seriously, this is my true passion and always will be – I love making things.” Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 17 Focus on You - Epping Forest Re-USE Centre Epping

Introducing Re-USE Centre, Bower Hill Industrial Estate, Epping, Essex CM16 7BN. The Centre is a Charity and Social Enterprise geared towards helping people on benefits, low incomes and in need of assistance. It works in partnership with Lighthouse Furniture Project supporting the local community in the Epping Forest District and surrounding areas.

As you approach the Centre based on the Bower Hill Industrial Estate (just 5 minutes’ walk from Epping Station) you are welcomed by members of staff, many of whom are volunteers (some of the team are pictured right) who are very happy to show you around what is, at first look, an Aladdin’s Cave of household items such as dining room furniture, pictures and ornaments. As you further enter the other rooms and labyrinthine corridors you are rewarded with other items of furniture, new mattresses, TVs, beds, cots and white goods such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and a myriad of other electrical items. This truly is a great treasure trove for anyone looking for new, nearly new and used (but good quality) items for their home.

All items are sold to the general public at affordable prices and to those on income based benefits they receive a further discount and in some instances items of furniture are provided for free. Items for people with physical impairment are often available too. As a Social Enterprise, 100% of their funds are used to help those in need. There are no shareholders nor profiteers from the operation. And the team is always most grateful for any donations and grants as these help them to help even more people in need.

The Re-USE Centre also provides some great volunteering opportunities and they work with a range of local agencies to provide support for individuals who have been marginalised either through ill health, long -term unemployment or challenging life experiences. So volunteering can help gain confidence, rebuild self-esteem and it is rewarding too. In order to continue their good work, Re-USE is always in need of items such as sofas, beds, chests of drawers, wardrobes, kettles, cookers, microwaves, fridges, cutlery, crockery, clean linen, nursery equipment and washing machines – so if you are about to replace any of these items in your own home, someone else could benefit from what you no longer need.

For customers, there is a one off charge for home deliveries (based on postcode) regardless of the number of items purchased. The Centre can collect clean domestic furniture, appliances and other reusable items generously donated by local people or companies. There is no charge for this service and upholstered furniture must comply with fire safety regulations and be in good clean order to meet Trading Standards requirements. Workshop staff will enthusiastically recondition, repair and test all electrical items to ensure they function correctly, work as designed and are electrically safe to use. They are always grateful when donors deliver to them directly and this helps minimise costs – plus it’s a chance to meet new faces!

If you are able to donate any items or you would like to volunteer your time doing something truly worthwhile, contact The Re-USE Centre. Simply telephone 01992 578222 during opening hours - Monday-Friday: 9.30am to 4.00pm or Saturday: 9.30am to 12.30pm, email [email protected] or visit www.eppingreuse.org.uk Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 18 The Past Summer in Theydon Bois The Past Summer in Theydon Bois, described below, covers the extensive period from mid May 2016 to the end of July 2016, as recorded in the Theydon Bois Local History. Therefore, due to space limitations, much detail has been omitted and so this Past Summer copy is considerably shortened. Nevertheless, this published copy gives a "broad brush" picture of the extensive and possibly momentous events which occurred during the summer of 2016.

A walk in the Deer Sanctuary behind the Village in Epping Forest, as organised by the Theydon Bois & District Preservation Society and reported by Society member Robert Levene, was a great success. A record number of 142 visitors including 20 children were present. Forest Keeper Michael Collins and his wife Angela relinquished their Sunday afternoon to give an interesting tour and talk about the Sanctuary.

TFL announced that a night time underground train service would commence on the 19th August 2016. Central line trains would operate between Ealing Broadway and Loughton or Hainault; but this service would not include Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping. Local residents travelling out from London would have to make alternative arrangements on from Loughton.

Many visitors attended the Open Day at Copped Hall, held on the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the Copped Hall Trust and the start of the ongoing restoration of the site. With the sun making a brief appearance, many strolled in the grounds to listen to the Harlow Brass Band, visit various stalls featuring wildlife associations, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, enjoy drinks, hot dogs and even ice cream, or else move indoors for lunches or tea and cakes in the Racquets Court. Among the organisations supporting the event were the Epping Royal British Legion, the Badger Association, and country crafts including weaving and wood turning. Many visitors enjoyed conducted tours around the Gardens and Mansion The event was organized by the Active Friends of the Copped Hall Trust, and especially by the staff and cadets of the 414 (Epping) Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets who dealt with the important task of car park management.

On a bleak May Bank Holiday Monday, St Mary’s Church took a starring role in the weekend by holding a May Fayre and Fun Day in the Village Hall. The Hall was packed with stalls selling various items including plants, books, home bakery, ladies makeup/perfumes and more. A hot dog stall in the car park was very busy due to the cold weather.

An evening Train and Toy Fair held at the beginning of June in the Village Hall attracted considerable support from model enthusiasts keen to acquire model trains, cars and related accessories at hoped - for bargain prices. The some twenty stalls were well stocked and one even included a mint condition Meccano set. This event, with refreshments available, is held several times each year and is organised by Joe Lock.

A Flower Festival was held at All Saints Theydon Garnon despite the showery weather. This lovely Tudor Church was decorated with floral displays entitled Gardens of the World. There were historical tours around the site, which is almost a stone's throw away from the M11 and M25 motorways. Entertainment included bell ringing, choral singing and a Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 19

The Past Summer in Theydon Bois (continued) demonstration of sheep shearing where one unfortunate creature escaped after losing its winter coat. A refreshment marquee provided tasty lunches and snacks.

The Men’s Forum of the Baptist Church held its June Summer meeting in the Village Hall to which lady guests were invited. The guest speaker was Margaret Rogers who talked in depth about Japan, its people, their customs, religions and fanaticism. She also mentioned its earthquake - prone geology, including Mount Fuji the sacred mountain, and the disasters which the country had suffered in the past; on the day of her departure from Japan, the airport was shaken by several minor earth tremors. The forty eight attending the meeting then sat down to an excellent three course lunch following which the Chairman David Walling wished all present an enjoyable summer.

June 23rd was the day of decision for the British nation regarding membership of the European Union (EU) and dawned with the south east experiencing another tropical storm of considerable intensity; local areas including nearby Romford suffered badly as did parts of Central London. Transport was severely affected with rail tracks, stations and motor ways flooded. The Village experienced local flooding but this had mostly dispersed by midday which encouraged residents to attend the polling station at St Mary’s Church Hall to register their vote in the third national referendum to be held in the country’s history; those eligible were simply required to vote in favour of leaving or remaining in the EU.

Theydon Bois Primary School held its summer fair which attracted many children and their parents. There were numerous stalls selling sweets etc. and other attractions including bouncy castles and even an inflatable helter skelter!

The “Wonders of Life Group” of the Epping Forest U3A held its monthly meeting in the Village Hall to hear a fascinating talk given by Emeritus Professor Michael Green of the University of Sheffield. His subject was Priests, Piles and Parasites – Medical Mysteries of the Old Testament. This basically comprised his analysis of Biblical stories in the light of current medical knowledge. One example is Samson and Delilah where Samson probably lost his strength through poisoning and not by being shorn of his locks. Another was the pestilence, which the Egyptians suffered in the time of Moses and the Exodus and was probably plague caused by poor living conditions.

It was announced that the Rev. John Fry will be the Vicar of the United Benefice which embraces the churches of St Mary’s Theydon Bois and All Saints, Theydon Garnon. He will also have pastoral oversight of the parishes of St Michael’s Theydon Mount and St Mary’s Stapleford Tawney. He will be installed in a service to be held at All Saints Theydon Garnon on Wednesday 5th October at 8 pm. The Rev. John has been the Curate of the United Benefice since his ordination in 2013.

On July 1st, the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme in WW1 was remembered across the UK. Religious services and parades were also held across the UK. At North Weald airfield, EFDC had created a WW1 memorial site containing a replica trench system, plus a small static exhibition in the control tower. The airfield was established in WW1 and its aircraft were active in the shooting down of German Zeppelin airships and aircraft who had bombed British civilians; the airfield was attacked in WW2 when RAF personnel, members Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 20

The Past Summer in Theydon Bois (continued) of the Essex Regiment and civilians also died. Theydon Bois has a particular service connection with North Weald through the soldiers of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers who were guarding the airfield during WW2. Some were billeted in the Village and killed during an enemy air raid in 1940; they are remembered with a commemorative plaque in St Mary’s Church.

At 07.30, the time of the initial assault, a church service was held at this airfield memorial site with the Chairman of EFDC and the Bishop of Chelmsford present together with other local representatives. Earlier and often before dawn, similar services were held elsewhere and commemorative beacons lit. In London and its outskirts, the acting profession made an interesting contribution with its members donning WW1 khaki army uniforms and mixing with the general public on transport systems and in places of general interest, so replicating many scenes commonplace in 1916 but now only to be seen in museums, libraries and personal photo albums.

Theydon Bois Singers gave a Golden Anniversary Concert and Supper in the Village Hall. The event was a sellout and the large audience enjoyed hearing the forty strong choir sing a miscellany of musical items ranging from Richard Rogers “Oh What a Beautiful Morning" to Hubert Parry’s "My Soul There is a Country". They also gave an excellent rendering of the difficult “Goldfinger Theme” by Thomas Lydon which resulted in sustained applause and an encore. Liz Weatherstone and Frances Chilvers were the duettists and readings were given by Anthea Astley and Hilary Hedderick. The conductor was Janet Cass, making a welcome return to the Singers, and the hardworking accompanist was Paul Chilvers.

Following information received, Home Office immigration officers visited the Il Bacio Italian Restaurant at Forest Drive in the Village and questioned staff regarding their right to live and work in this country. A 33 year old Colombian male was held on suspicion of entering the UK illegally; the business faced a fine of up to £20,000 unless it could be proved that it had properly checked the man's passport and verified that he possessed a work permit. A similar incident in the village was reported some years ago when a building worker was investigated by the authorities. A spokesman for the East of England Immigration Enforcement (EEIE) advised that employers should carry out proper checks to avoid disrupting their business. Members of the public with information about suspected illegal workers were urged to report the matter to the EEIE.

The AGM of the Theydon Bois & District Preservation Society was held in the Village Hall when the speaker was Tricia Moxey whose talk was entitled “Is there honey still for tea or why honey bees still matter”. Everyone admires a floral garden, so what makes it work? The hunter gatherers of early days, pre 2,400 BC and further back, found honey to be an excellent and nutritious source of food, and so developed bee husbandry; statistically, 1152 bees ranging over 200 miles can produce 16oz of honey. Bees live in hives usually and die in about six weeks. There has been a massive decline in bee numbers since the twentieth century for several reasons - disease (Varrda mite from Hawaii), cold winters, farming practices using chemical sprays, the paving over of gardens, and atmospheric pollution. Much research is now taking place which includes the tracking of bees fitted with a small electronic device.

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 21

The Past Summer in Theydon Bois (continued) During the subsequent AGM, it was announced that Michael Chapman was now President subsequent to the sad death of Bob Day. It was agreed that the following hold office for 2016/17, Chairman – Peter Newton, Vice Chairman – Martin Boyle, Secretary – Jim Watts, Treasurer – Ivor Chinman, Minutes Secretary – Valerie Suckling. The Executive Committee would comprise: Liz Burn, Barry Frankland, Robert Levene, Caroline Lowe, Hugh Meteyard, Anthony Purkiss and Trevor Roberts.

The 29th Theydon Bois Donkey Derby, organised by the Theydon Bois Scout Group, was a great success due to hot and summery weather and its location on the Village Green, by kind permission of the City of London and the Parish Council. Once again the Green resounded to the unusual sound of braying donkeys and the laughter of many children.

Substantial support and sponsorship had come from Village traders who advertised their businesses via the usual well produced and informative Race Card and Programme. Seven races were run with titles named after their sponsors i.e.. Stevenette Estate Agents, Ray Cooney, Richard and Sally Crone, Cooper Paul Chartered Accountants, Percy Publishing, Hetherington’s Estate Agents and Biosure HIV Self Test. Field events included a Tug of War between patrons/staff from the two village pubs, the Queen Vic and the Bull, a fun Dog Show and the Pop Choir from Loughton. More than a thousand visitors attended the event and helped raise a substantial sum in support of the Village Scouts and Guides, so that they could continue to develop their activities in the Village.

The Village motor racing driver Lochlan Bearman, 14, had an eventful racing experience in rounds 9 & 10 of the Ford Fiesta Junior Championship. In his first season since upgrading from kart to car racing, he set the fastest time on the test day against experienced teams. This was against a background of several mishaps, when his car's suspension failed and put him into a wall at 70 mph, and also the medical centre. Despite bruised legs, he returned to the track when the car then stopped due to a damaged gearbox and dropped engine. His support team repaired the vehicle with a substitute gearbox but this then created handling difficulties. Nevertheless he completed the race and finished sixth overall.

The long awaited summer had really arrived on July 20 when the temperature peaked at 34 degrees C (93 degrees F) and Public Health England issued a level two heat & health alert. The authority requested the general public to check on those who could be susceptible to high levels of heat and humidity, including those with asthma, cardiac and lung conditions, old people and young children.

At the end of July, Theydon Bois experienced further success when it was once again judged as the Best Kept Village in Essex, and the Village News also was listed third against forty other entrants from the County and summer continued with the remnants of a heat wave, fine weather but with dry weather threatening a possible drought. TREVOR ROBERTS LOCAL HISTORY RECORDER

Ed - Trevor lodges a comprehensive Annual Village Report with the Essex Record Office, extracts are submitted monthly for the village website and quarterly for village news. To avoid repetition, especially where news and information has been submitted by the club, society or entity directly to Village News, then it has been removed from Trevor’s Column in this issue. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 22

Theydon Bois Front Gardens Competition This year there were 30 private gardens short listed for judging in July. The weather was fine but there had been some heavy downpours which had spoilt some of the roses in the gardens. Many of the gardens were familiar to the judges from previous years and it was depressing to see how many more front gardens had been ripped out and paved or gravelled over with no space left for plants at all.

However, it was good to have new winners for 3 out of the 4 categories and to see some new gardens in the running for the first time. This year, owners of front gardens which came second or third received Certificates to record their achievement and owners of gardens that the judges thought highly of, were given Highly Commended or Commended cards as encouragement to keep on trying. It was also good to be able to present the cup for the Community garden to those looking after the gardens around the Baptist Church, despite ravages by the local deer who have taken to coming into the village at night.

Formal Informal 1st Mr. J. Kennedy, 36 Heath Drive 1st Mr. R. Jones, 13 Orchard Drive nd 2 ) Mr. & Mrs. Skingle, “Midhill” Coppice Row 2nd Mr. R. Rawlinson, 49 Green Glade nd 2 ) Sue Collins, 41Thrifts Mead 3rd Mr. & Mrs. Gordon, 42 Woburn Avenue

With Parking Community / Commercial 1st Mrs. S. Brough, 28 Morgan Crescent, 1st The Baptist Church (Mr & Mrs Rackham) 2nd Mr. M. King, 2 College Place, 2nd The Queen Victoria 3rd Mr. J. Scantleberry, 41 Morgan Crescent 3rd The Bull Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 23

Horticultural Society - 106th Show on 23rd July The 106th show took place in the Village Hall on 23rd July 2016. Even though summer was late in arriving, the displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables were excellent. The flowers were beautiful making the judging difficult, especially with the hydrangeas. There were some splendid items of handicraft exhibited, and the photographs were very interesting. The show was well attended, the weather being good, and brought out people from outside the Village. The Society's refreshments team did a splendid job – so many delicious cakes!

This year we had a team of beekeepers displaying their bees and the work that they do, and Lois King displaying her lace and handicrafts. The Show cups were presented by the Society's Vice President David Weech, and those for the Front Gardens Competition by the Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr John Philip.

There is a full list of the show winners (newspage) and a gallery on the photos page of the Village Website at www.theydon.org .

The success of the Show is dependent on a good selection of entries. We hope to see you all again next year with your exhibits. Start growing now!

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 24 Theydon Bois Golf Club COURSE ANNIVERSARY - On Sunday 31st July 2016, Theydon Bois Golf Club held the Annual Course Anniversary competition to celebrate the opening of an additional nine holes and becoming an eighteen-hole golf course. The club was originally founded in 1897 as a nine-hole course designed by James Braid, one of the all time great players and a highly respected and prolific golf course designer. Although these nine holes presented a formidable challenge and were enjoyed by the vast majority of players, there were a number of members who considered the future of the club would be best served by becoming an eighteen-hole course.

This process was started in 1966 when Peter Rogers, the Captain at that time, was playing golf with Jim Parker, a local builder and developer. Peter was explaining the club’s desire to extend the course and their search for a suitable piece of land. By chance, Jim Parker had 40 acres of land adjoining the club, but was unable to obtain 1971 - Lord Mayor of London, Sir Peter Studd opens the new nine planning permission for holes - being presented with the ball & tee he used for the opening housing. This initial drive by Mick Schofield, son of club Captain Fred Schofield. conversation resulted in extensive talks between Theydon Bois Golf Club, Jim Parker and the Corporation of London, with the Corporation of London eventually purchasing the land, and Theydon Bois Golf Club were granted an initial 21 years’ lease to extend the course and agreed to pay a rent of 7% of the purchase price of £15,000. There was considerable doubt when the development was originally proposed as many members thought 40 acres were insufficient land for an additionally nine holes. However, the club employed James Hawtree, a firm of golf course architects with considerable experience, and they produced a design that has stood the test of time with no significant changes over the last 46 years and still being enjoyed by members and visitors to the club.

After a successful tender process, the responsibility for construction of the course was awarded to F. Doe & Sons Ltd for the sum of £13,849. The construction was completed in June 1970, with play beginning in June 1971. Although the course was open for play, people were asked to tee the ball for all their shots and stone picking evenings were arranged as the course matured - a small price to pay for what has developed into a very attractive nine holes of golf. The official opening of the new nine took place during Fred Scofields Captain’s Day in 1971, and after 74 years’ of playing nine holes, Theydon Bois Golf Club finally became an eighteen-hole course.

Today, we celebrate these events by playing the Annual Course Anniversary competition, a team event very keenly contested by the majority of members and won this year by Kim Durrani, Carl Henshall, Maurice Anderson and Graham Wiskin. We look forward to celebrating this event for many more years and welcoming new players to the game.

Ring Richard Hall Director of Golf on 01992 812460 for more information. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 25 Theydon Bois Tennis Club Although the summer league season has now finished, and autumn means that evening tennis draws to a close, the Tennis Club remains busy, with junior coaching continuing on Friday nights until October half-term, while Saturday morning coaching goes on throughout the whole year. Our two junior teams did really well this year. The U11 team again won their division in the Aegon Essex league, for the third year running, and we also entered a team for the first time in the U16 boys. Looking back at the summer, June Snellin organised her successful Mini Tennis Tournament for children aged 10 and under along with their parents or carers, Nigel Hanley co- ordinated a ‘Speedgun Challenge’ at the Donkey Derby, with all monies raised by our stall going back to the Scouts, and Eric Ringwood held his popular President’s Day Tournament in June. September sees the Senior and Junior Finals days, and the annual Captains Charity American Tournament.

Visit www.theydonboisltc.hitstennis.co.uk for more information on all our activities.

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 26 A Walk Round St. Mary’s Churchyard St Mary’s Churchyard - There has been a church at Theydon Bois since the 12th century and perhaps earlier. The original church was situated on the road between Theydon Bois and Abridge, and although no trace of the building is left there is a memorial, adjacent to Theydon Hall, inscribed with the names of some of the parishioners who were buried there. For a while the Church was served by travelling priests from St. Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield. When Rev George Hambleton became incumbent in 1842 it was decided to build a new church in a more central position. Funds were raised, a site found and a new church was completed in 1844. Unfortunately, soon afterwards defects began to appear which became so serious that the decision was taken to demolish the building and rebuild. A new architect was engaged in Sidney Smirke, who designed the Reading Room at The British Museum, and the current church was completed in 1850. Above is a copy of a painting of the first church by James Paul Andre, 1837 - courtesy of Epping Forest District Museum

Interesting Graves and Memorials - In 1940 a parachute mine was dropped on Yates Retreat a few hundred yards away, this blew out the west window - which is still clear glass today - and killed about twenty eight soldiers of The King’s Own Scottish Borderers who were billeted there. They are commemorated on a plaque in the church.

There are also four Commonwealth War Graves, the final resting place of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in WW2. George Albert Whipps (pictured opposite) was one of these. He joined the RAF as an Airman and entered the war in 1940. His Spitfire was shot down in combat but he baled out unhurt. However, having survived this, he and a pupil were both killed in George Albert Whipps August 1941 when a Belgian pilot, Sgt AOH Lambotte, landed his Spitfire X4835 on top of Whipps’ Magister as it lined up on the runway. By a strange fluke of fate and history repeating itself, Lambotte was apparently subsequently killed in a very similar collision. There is also a much older grave marking the last resting place of Joseph Boulcott, who died in 1850, a soldier and member of the Duke of Wellington’s personal staff at the Battle of Waterloo.

Frances Mary Buss, (16 August 1827 – 24 December 1894, pictured on the next page) was a headmistress, campaigner for the establishment of professional standards in teaching, and a notable figure in the struggle for the education of girls in the second half of the nineteenth century.

She is buried in the churchyard on the north side of the church and is also commemorated in a pair of stained glass windows in the north wall of the church. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 27

A Walk Round St. Mary’s Churchyard (continued) With her father's career as an artist being at times unsuccessful, to help the family finances her mother set up a private school in Clarence Road, Kentish Town, in 1845. The Buss' school was renamed the North London Collegiate School and moved to larger premises in Camden Street on 4 April, 1850. Buss was its first Principal and remained so for the rest of her life. Under her headship, the school became a model for girls' education. By 1865 the school had 200 day girls, with a few boarders, but was still run as a private, family concern, with her father Robert William Buss and her brother Septimus Buss teaching Art and Scripture respectively. In July 1870 Frances Buss handed over the school to trustees, and in the following year she founded the Camden School for Girls with the aim of offering more affordable education for girls. She was the first ever headmistress and remained in post for some 40 years. The school has some interesting alumni including Anna Wintour, Marie Stopes and Esther Rantzen.

Buss was also at the forefront of campaigns for girls to be allowed to sit public examinations and to enter universities. She became the founding president of the Association of Head Mistresses in 1874, a position she held until 1894, and was also involved in establishing the Teachers' Guild in 1883 and the Cambridge Training College (later Hughes Hall) for training teachers in 1885. In 1869 she became the first woman Fellow of the College of Preceptors, helping to establish the College's professorship of the science and art of education in 1872. The College of Preceptors (now known as the College of Teachers, had a base in the village for some years operating from The Old School House, adjacent to the Church.) Her election to a Fellowship of the College in 1873 was the only public recognition she ever received.

Around St Mary’s churchyard today The churchyard, nestling as it does in Epping Forest is a place of calm and tranquillity, and is worth a closer look. There are many beautiful trees, but in particular three magnificent protected oak trees established long before the church was built. The oldest part of the churchyard, towards the crossroads, is preserved as a conservation area to protect notable wild flowers. The remainder, including the memorial garden, is maintained by a small group of volunteers. Village News caught up with their leader and chief mower, the very grand sounding ‘Superintendent of the Churchyard’ (aka Churchwarden John Eaton). They are pictured opposite & on the front cover is this issue of Village News.

Village News - How long have you been Superintendent of the Churchyard? John “I took over from Michael Lowe in 2008, so 8 years.”

Village News - How many volunteers are there and are you looking for more help? - John “ Originally about 12 but age has taken its toll and we are down to four or five regulars so yes more help would be really welcome. You don’t have to be a gardener just be willing to lend a hand. Just turn up any Thursday morning and join in.”

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 28 The Buxton Trust This November sees the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Buxton Trust, the charity which oversees the playing fields used by the Cricket, Football and Tennis Clubs in the village. The land had been in regular use as a sports field since the 1920s, but the gift of the land formalised the arrangement and left the land in perpetuity to be “used as a recreation ground, primarily for the playing and watching of organised games, for the benefit of the inhabitants of Theydon Bois”. The original Trustees of the Buxton Trust were Keith de Maus, Douglas Gray and Arthur Joseph, and the original governing documents still determine the Trustees as being two from each of the three sports clubs plus representatives from the Village Association, Parish Council and Essex Playing Fields Association.

Lt-Col Edward North Buxton (pictured right) donated the land to the village. He was born in 1894, and gave the land shortly before his death in 1957. Lt-Col Buxton won the Military Cross in the First World War, and amongst other roles he was a Verderer of Epping Forest, Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, High Sheriff of Essex in 1934, and also fought in the Second World War. He married Hon Sibyl O’Neill in 1924, but she unfortunately died in 1943. They are survived by two children, Morna and Mark. The Buxton family had links to Barclays Bank and Trumans Brewery, and at the time lived in a number of local estates including Birch Hall, Warlies Park and Knightons in Buckhurst Hill.

The Cricket and Football Clubs were the first to play on the current playing field. It was in fact Edward North Buxton’s father Mr Gerald Buxton who originally made the ground available to the Cricket Club after the First World War. The Cricket Club originally played on the top half of the Village Green but after the War had finished the ground was in such a Cricket club 1905 poor condition that Mr Gerald Buxton kindly offered the use of the Loughton Lane site. The old pavilion on the Green was originally sited where the recently built apartments in Coppice Row now stand – hence their name Pavilion Court (see photo right).

The Football Club also have a long history and fielded a number of successful teams in the years before and after the Second World War. In the early days they used to play in black and yellow striped shirts and were known as the Theydon Tigers. In recent years the strength of the Football Club has varied, but the men’s veterans football club still plays there. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 29

The Buxton Trust (continued)

Theydon Bois F.C. “The Tigers” c.1920 Original Tennis Clubhouse 1970’s

The land has changed little since 1956. The original Elsan toilet used by the tennis club has long gone, replaced by a clubhouse in the 1970s. The current chalet-style clubhouse was built in the early 1990s, and the two original grass courts are now six artificial grass courts.

The current cricket pavilion was built in the 1970s, with the more recent additions of an electronic scoreboard and now new changing room facilities. Currently, the Cricket Club fields two Saturday teams in the Herts & Essex Cricket League, one Sunday XI playing friendlies and various colts teams, while the Tennis Club continues to turn out 16 adult teams and two junior teams in various local leagues.

The current Buxton Trust Trustees are Richard Crone (Chairman), Peter Gooch (Secretary), Mike Hannibal (Treasurer), Bill Bennett, Adrian Hart, Mike Hicks, Matt O’Reilly, Ken Randlesome and Carole Risdon.

Given the football and cricket connections of the playing field, it is interesting to recall in this 50th anniversary year of the England team's world cub victory (which included three West Ham players), the cricket match between Theydon Bois and West Ham in 1969. The newspaper cutting of which is below, headlined “What a Smasher”.

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 30 Rotary Club of Roding - A Newcomer to Theydon Bois A recent new comer to Theydon Bois is the Rotary club of Roding. The Roding club was chartered in 1992 as the first breakfast and dual gender club in the London district with meetings on Tuesday mornings at 7.30 am. In April, after 24 years as a breakfast club the members came to the decision to change to a twilight club and hopefully encourage new membership. One of our members who lives in Theydon Bois suggested that the Queen Victoria might be just the place. The friendly staff and excellent food proved a great success, we had found our new venue. Welcome to Theydon Bois.

The club over its 24 years has raised £000’s for many national and international charities, ranging from the shoe box scheme which encourages children to fill shoe boxes at Christmas for children less fortunate. These are sent to Eastern Europe. " Kids Out" is an event at which Rotary clubs up and down the country once a year take children with special needs for a "Kids Out" day, Roding have been involved with these two events for over twenty years.

Internationally, the club have sent shelter boxes to areas which have been affected by earthquakes and famine, raising much needed monies to feed those in war torn disaster zones, supplying backpacks filled with all that's required. This means that children in Africa can get an education, also water aid which brings fresh clean water to villages by digging wells and dams. Helping to eradicate Polio through out the world is an one going project supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Rotary International.

Every year we run the Chigwell Village fete on the Green opposite Brook Parade. This is a community event with support from other local Rotary clubs and is in its eleventh year, raising funds for local charities such as Chigwell Riding Trust, Jubilee Lodge and others such as Help for Heroes and Mary’s Meals.

In June we took part in Theydon Bois Primary School fete running Hook a Duck which proved a great success raising money for the school. On the second Friday in the month, along with Loughton, Buckhurst Hill & Chigwell Rotary club we run the Memory Cafe at Loughton Hall, Station Road for people with memory loss and their cares. This community event is completely free so if you know of anyone who would benefit from this come and join us for tea/coffee, cake, quiz, a sing along and most of all the company. This coming year we will be celebrating the clubs 25th anniversary with a silver Dinner and Dance.

Our club welcomes anyone who would like to come along to a meeting as a prospective member or as a volunteer for our events, fun, fellowship and fund raising. We meet on Mondays at the Queen Victoria Coppice Row, 6.30 for 7pm

Christine Johnson is our president for this coming year (pictured with our speaker from the London Air Ambulance Service) with the theme TEAM - Together Each Achieves More. We have a very exciting programme planned for the coming year.

For information regarding any of the above please contact our club’s secretary Gill Mann. 01992 575842. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 31 Forthcoming Events

THEYDON BOIS SINGERS

Christmas Concert On Tuesday 13th December 2016 at 7.45pm

Theydon Bois Village Hall

Bar Available Light Refreshments

For tickets Email: [email protected] Tel: 01992 573855

27th, 28th & 29th October 2016 Theydon Bois Village Hall at 8.00 pm Tickets on sale from Mon 26th Sept Box Office 01992 812250 www.theydondrama.org Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 32 Donkey Derby 2016 Despite fears of cancellation after the torrential rain throughout June left the ground waterlogged a week of good weather before Sunday

10th July allowed the 2016 Theydon Bois Donkey Derby to go ahead as planned. This, the 29th annual event, was opened by Eleanor Laing MP and featured all the usual range of attractions including a helter skelter, welly-wanging and bouncy castles, a dog obstacle course and child donkey rides.

Of course the main attraction was again the races where the young jockeys did their best to stay on their respective donkeys until the very end of the race. This year the course proved more difficult for them than usual with less jockeys making it through to the finishing line.

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 33

Donkey Derby 2016 (continued)

For the first time, the event concluded with a tug-of-war between village pubs. The Queen Victoria pub who needed to draft a few of the attending army cadets onto their team to balance the numbers made a valiant effort, but victory went to The Bull.

The money raised from this years derby will again benefit the Theydon Bois and Theydon Garnon Scout groups and the other participating groups’ good causes. Committee member Nik O’Flynn said “On the whole it went really well, it rained to begin with so that was a bit of a downer, but then people came in their droves and we had beautiful sunshine for the remainder of the day. I’m very pleased and very grateful for the support from everyone who came along” . Gallery of the 2016 Theydon Bois Donkey Derby on the photos page of the Village website at www.theydon.org.uk Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 34 Theydon Bois Drama Society - Get Involved Regular readers will have seen plenty of articles about our plays which are generally accompanied by photos of the actors on stage, but have you ever considered what it takes to give the actors the necessary setting? The stage set, the furnishings, the props and the overall design are all vital components of any theatrical production. We are proud to have won awards for our sets and feel privileged to have working with us some wonderfully creative people who understand stage craft and know how to design the backdrop for each play we select.

Paul Vine (pictured left) has been leading on this aspect for the last few years, working in partnership with other members of the society to create clever, colourful, authentic and robust theatrical sets. We are always keen to welcome new members to our society and especially keen right now to attract people that are interested in this aspect of our theatrical endeavour. But what does that involve? Set build starts on the Saturday prior to show week with Paul and the team arriving at 9am. Paul briefs on his design and then the hard graft begins, pulling the flats and various rostra out of storage and fixing them in place. By lunchtime the set is up and then the team head out to the pub for a well-deserved pint and a sandwich. The afternoon is spent decorating, painting and adding all of the detailed touches that bring the set alive. There’s a role for people with a wide range of DIY skills from those expert in carpentry through to those able to wield a paintbrush and everything in between. Sunday morning is spent finishing paintwork, hanging curtains and pictures and setting the furniture in place ready for the technical rehearsal to start at 2.30.

We would be delighted to hear from Before anyone that would like to get involved. It’s a brilliant day, very satisfying and a great way to be part of your local drama society without having to tread the boards – at least not in front of an audience anyway! You don’t need to be an expert (although we’d be pleased to welcome anyone that is) and you will be helped to learn the necessary After skills. Some of the work involves heavy lifting but don’t let that put you off - if you can’t do that bit we’ll find another task for you! You’ll meet new people and make new friends into the bargain.

Your local drama society also welcomes new members that are interested in other technical roles including sound and light operating. Even if you have no experience, we’re happy to train you. We run a bursary scheme for members to receive financial support for formal technical training in exchange for a commitment to work with us on at least 4 productions over 2 years. We put on 4 productions per year, January, March, June and October.

There’s so much on offer so please do get in touch about joining. Email Nicola Gilbert, membership secretary at [email protected], for more information about joining. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 35 Theydon Bois Drama Society - Our Last Production Trevor Roberts writes “The first night of “Rumours”, the Neil Simon comedy staged by the Theydon Bois Drama Society got off to a fair start despite the counter attractions of the Queen’s 90th Birthday Week, TV sport and the current bad weather. The humorous plot revolved around four couples at a celebratory dinner party and an absent Charlie (who never appears on stage). Rumours abound regarding his whereabouts which are compounded by reported gunshots (possibly relating to Charlie) and other factors. Complete confusion then prevails!! The production was presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd, comprised a cast of ten supported by a back stage team of some seventeen, and directed by Teresa Greener.” See page 31 for details of our next production - “Lock Up Your Daughters”

Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 36 News, Comments & Notices

CHURCH HALL GETS A FACELIFT On Saturday (21st May) a group of dads from St Mary’s Church got together to give the front of the church hall a facelift in time for the Spring Fayre. This was following on from repairs to the church hall roof, which had required new boards on the rotten porch roof that now needed decoration.

Throughout the day, there were about 8 volunteers working on the outside (including the Rev John Fry), whilst Linda Hammond enlisted the help of her family to repaint some of the internal walls. Phil Crombie organized the day, and beforehand approached Wickes of Loughton to see if they would help out with the costs. They were very supportive and kindly donated £100 worth of gloss and masonry paint, along with some brushes and other essentials. The group now has plans to carry out more painting, and work their way around the entire building. The group of dads normally gets together to involve their children in group activities associated with St Mary’s Church (the last of which was clearing up the graveyard prior to remembrance Sunday). This time, due to the task and the potential for mess, the children were left at home!

FAIRLOP BRASS Fairlop Brass have enjoyed a busy summer performing concerts in the Brentwood area. They will be returning to Theydon Bois for their popular Christmas Crackers concert at the Theydon Bois Village Hall on Tuesday 20th December. Tickets and further details will be available via the band website www.fairlopbrass.co.uk

Fairlop Brass will also be performing their Autumn concert at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford on Sunday 13th November.

Know someone doing an unusual job maybe it's you? You will have noticed the FOCUS ON YOU column in Village News. We would like to run this as a regular feature, so if there is anyone in the village doing something unusual or out of the ordinary that would be of interest to our residents and readers, we'd like to hear about it. It doesn't have to be a paid-for job. It could be a role that's performed as a volunteer.

So, feel free to send in your nominations of people who live in Theydon Bois who do interesting jobs (it could even be yourself). We will happily interview & write the article so anyone who is put forward doesn't have to do this. please email: [email protected] Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 37 News, Comments & Notices

THEYDON JAZZ CLUB The times they are a-changing. The good news is that the Theydon Jazz Club is continuing at The King’s Oak, which has now established itself as the home of jazz in Epping Forest. The regular Monday date will however become a regular Wednesday date from the start of October. Organizers Dave and Sheila have lined up a magnificent sequence of top-class bands for the quarter, including many of our favourites, so I hope I’ll see you there. RAY CRICK

September 2016 (Mondays) 5 Hugh Rainey’s Jazz Band with Lyn Falvey ALL are welcome 12 Colin Bray’s Swingtet 19 Goff Dubber’s Dixieland Express 26 Carol Braithwaite’s Jazz Crew Visitors £10, Members £8

October 2016 (Wednesdays) 5 Jackie Free’s Chicagoans The King’s Oak, High Beach, IG10 4AE 12 Goff Dubber’s Dixieland Express 19 Tony Pitt’s All Stars 8pm to 10 (meals from 5pm) 26 Les Handscombe’s Tailgate Jazz Band

November 2016 (Wednesdays) Dine * Dance * Listen * ENJOY! 2 George Kid Tidiman’s All Stars 9 To be confirmed For more information visit 16 The Melvin Beddow Big Band 23 The Gresty White Ragtimers www.theydonjazzclub.org.uk 30 Baby Jools’ Jazzaholics

MADELEINE IS OUR NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CO-ORDINATOR Are you interested in helping our Village Community and becoming a Road Co-ordinator in Theydon Bois?

My name is Madeleine McCarthy and I have taken over the role as Village Co-ordinator. My first task is to enroll new volunteers to cover as Road Co-ordinators and update the records of previous volunteers.

If you are interested and would like to know more please contact me. I would also be grateful if previous volunteers could contact me to confirm if they are still available.

e-mail - [email protected] or telephone 07751 868476. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 38 News, Comments & Notices

GUIDES & BROWNIES CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S 90TH The Theydon Bois Girl Guiding units (Rainbows, Brownies & Guides) celebrated the Queen's 90th birthday with a street style party in St. Mary 's church hall on Monday 13th June. The girls enjoyed a cooked tea of sausages or fish fingers, chips & baked beans, followed by make your own ice cream sundaes. They then enjoyed a variety of games outside including splat the rat, skittles, guess the weight of the cake & find the treasure. They also had the opportunity to go on a tea cup roundabout ride. The event ended with Girl Guider Joy Simmance being awarded her 30 year long service award by Emma Farrer the Epping Forest district commissioner. Happy birthday & the national anthem were then sung. All the girls took home a jewelled crown they had decorated, a home made fairy cake, a 90th logo balloon & a party bag.

THEYDON BOIS VILLAGE ASSOCIATION The Trustees are always looking to update the hall facilities and over the last few months a number of improvements have come to fruition. The kitchen has been refurbished, the trees in the car park have been replaced, another storage shed, to be rented by the Drama Society (see photos right), has been built to replace the almost derelict one, allocation and use of internal storage has been made to everyone’s satisfaction, the toilets at the rear of the hall have been refurbished, the CCTV System has been modernised, the sound system facility in both the Oak room and the front hall has been updated, a new ceiling mounted projector has been installed, and, most recently, all the chairs in the hall have been replaced with a more lightweight and easily stackable model.

In addition the front hedge has been severely trimmed and consideration is being given to further improve the front landscape. All of this comes, of course, at some expense, largely covered by the most generous bequests received last year.

On the staff front, we are lucky enough to retain all our current staff and we have recently added to our numbers with the appointment of Justine Angus to join our team of cleaners. Thanks to the continuing commitment of all our staff, together with the numerous improvements and regular maintenance, the Village Hall remains a popular centre for the village community. Village News Issue 95 September 2016 Page 39 News, Comments & Notices

Pupils from Theydon Bois Primary THEYDON BOIS PRIMARY SCHOOL School were honoured to be invited to attend the Lee Valley White Water Centre on July 20th for a special send-off celebration for the GB Olympic team before they headed over to Rio to compete in the canoe and kayak competitions.

The day gave the pupils chance to see around the centre and try out canoeing for themselves. Most importantly they met the GB team, took photos and gathered autographs, had the opportunity to hold a 2012 Gold medal and sent the team on their way with cheers and best wishes.

Pupils enjoyed a French language day on July 14th. The day started with an assembly led by parent, Mrs Douglass, during which she encouraged the children to use their knowledge of French vocabulary to extend their language skills (and also introduced a song that has stuck in the minds of adults and children!).

During the day the children enjoyed French singing with Mr Goodman and tasting French food practising their conversational French with the help of another parent Mrs Beaumanoir. Other activities included competing in our own Tour de France and using programmable robots to practise using directional language.

The day was a huge success and pupils not only thoroughly enjoyed themselves but also gained confidence and extended their knowledge of the French language and culture.

The Epping Forest Group is a local group of the national Alpine Garden Society and is for all those with an interest in alpine and other small plants, whether in the wild or growing at home in the garden, frame or greenhouse. The Group will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a conference on Saturday 3rd September in the Village Hall. The speakers are:  Julian Sutton: From south to north - growing southern hemisphere bulbs in the UK  Tony Hall: The juno irises - results of our latest research  Kaj Andersen: Bangsbo Botanical Garden - biggest crevice garden in Northern Europe  John Fielding: Crete

In addition the following nurseries will be present: Desirable Plants, Jacques Amand, Riverside Bulbs, Cambridge Bulbs. The first lecture starts at 9.45a.m. and the day will finish at 4.30p.m. The cost is £25 and includes lunch and tea/coffee – advance booking is essential. Further details are on the Group website (see below) or call Kit: 07944 806876.

The Group also meets every month from September to May usually on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings take the form of an illustrated lecture or a demonstration, followed by refreshments. There is also a plant raffle, sales table and an alpine plant display. We meet at Theydon Bois Village Hall, starting at 8.00 pm.

 Tues 13 Sept - Ellen Willmott – Ailsa Wildig Tues  11 Oct - Law and the Plants – Rob Amos  Tues 8 Nov - Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan – John Mitchell, Edinburgh Botanic Garden  Tues 6 Dec - TBA

Further information is available from: Keith Ballard, Tel: 01992 813231, Email: [email protected] www.alpinegardensociety.net/groups/Epping-Forest

Village News Issue 95 Village Activities September 2016 2016 Page 40

This diary is updated continually on the village website - www.theydon.org.uk The information, opinions and views presented in Village News and on the Village Website reflect the views of the authors and contributors of the articles and publication of articles, advertisements or product/services information does not constitute endorsement or approval by Village News, Village Website or the Parish Council.

25 Sept Rural Preservation Society Walk - meeting Village Hall 2pm - see page 11

28 Sept County Council Bus Service Consultation Survey Deadline - see page 7

28 Sept Autumn Fair at the Village Hall in aid of Breast Cancer Care - see page31

7 Oct Rural Preservation Society Talk - Village Hall at 8pm

15 Oct Theydon Bois Pre-School - Nearly New Table Top Sale

27-29 Oct Theydon Bois Drama Society - Lock up Your Daughters - see page 31

31 Oct Local Plan Consultation starts - see pages 9 & 11

5 Nov Fine Lines Christmas Fair at the St Marys Church Hall - see page 31

13 Nov Fairlop Brass - Concert at Kenneth Moore Theatre Ilford - see page 36

23 Nov Horticultural Society AGM & Speaker at the Villga Hall 8pm

2 Dec Theydon Bois Christmas Market

13 Dec Theydon Bois Singers - Christmas Concert at the Village Hall - see page 31

20 Dec Fairlop Brass - Christmas Crackers Concert at the Village Hall - see page 36 various Theydon Jazz Club-page 37  Alpine Garden Society-page 39

Village News has only a small selection of event photographs - for most of the events covered there are usually many more which can be found on photos page of the Village Website at www.theydon.org.uk

Copy for Village News & Website Send to c/o Parish Clerk, Parish Office Theydon Bois Village Hall, Phone & Fax 01992 813442 or email the editors - [email protected]

Village Website www.theydon.org.uk Village News

Edited & Produced by Tony Ames Edited & Produced by Jim Watts e-mail e-mail [email protected] [email protected]

NEXT VILLAGE NEWS COPY DEADLINE - 23rd November 2016 Thanks to our Sponsors - Hetheringtons, Theydon Bois Pharmacy, Indian Ocean, Theydon Bois Balti House, Martin Shepherd Solicitors, Theydon Bois Dentists MandK Cleaning and Woodland Grove Care Homes see pages 6,8,10 & 25.