Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 2 Theydon Bois Christmas Market Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 3 Theydon Bois Christmas Market (continued)

More photos may be found on the Village Website www.theydon.org.uk

Village Christmas Market - A Very Big Thank You to Everyone

The amount raised by our Charity Collection for Voluntary Action Epping Forest was £1,088.88 (a record), your generosity is much appreciated.

Thanks also to our shopkeepers for their generous contributions and support for our market this year, and also to all of the Stallholders who supported it. We hope you all had a successful evening. Finally, thank you again to Theydon Beauty and Butler & Stag for providing power for the artificial shop trees. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 4 Parish Council Chairman’s Report With Christmas rapidly approaching may I first wish everybody a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year from all of us at the Parish Council. I am writing this article prior to the Village Christmas Market and the Lighting of the Christmas Tree, and hope and trust that all who did attend had an enjoyable time! I would like to thank all those who have been involved in organizing this event as I am well aware that a lot of effort goes into ensuring that the event runs as smoothly as possible. I would also, of course, like to thank the shopkeepers for their ongoing support.

Following my article in the last edition of Village News regarding vacancies on the Parish Council, I was delighted to hear from several people who expressed an interest in joining our team of Councillors. There is a formal process which needs to be followed before we can co-opt additional people onto the Council, but I hope to be in a position to introduce some new Councillors to you shortly.

I would also like to thank those who put forward suggestions for improving the shopping area in the Village. You will see from Cllr Anthony Purkiss’ Highways Report that we met with Essex Highways and a Street Design Consultant. We put forward suggestions for consideration, however, unfortunately these were mainly dismissed on cost grounds. One of the issues being the number of services laid in the pavements i.e. telephone and electricity cables, water, gas etc. Moving these or even raising the level of the access covers to these services is cost prohibitive at this time.

Another matter worthy of discussion is the condition of the Village Pond and the ditches which feed in and out of it. Following a meeting with the City of London, work has recently been carried out strimming around the ditches and clearing one of the islands in the pond, the latter having become heavily overgrown and reportedly infested with rats. I am aware that there has been some negative feedback on the work done here. I would therefore welcome any views people may have on the condition of the pond, as it is likely that any significant improvements to the ditches and pond will need to be funded by the Parish Council or at least match funded with the City of London.

On a positive note, I am happy to announce that the Parish Council now has it’s own website and can be found via the following link: https://theydonbois-pc.gov.uk/ This does not replace our Village Website but will sit alongside it carrying specific Parish Council news and information. Any views on the website are welcome. Again, I would like to thank all those involved in bringing this project to fruition.

As we come to the end of another year there is a further group of people I would like to mention. They are the willing volunteers who deliver the Village Newsletter you are reading now. Thank you it is very much appreciated! Don’t forget monthly meetings of the Parish Council take place in the Village Hall on the last Thursday of each month (except in August and December). CLLR. PETER GOOCH Full Parish Council Meetings for the first three months in 2020 These are an opportunity to hear of issues affecting our village. Please come along and see your Parish Council in action. Towards the end of the meeting there will be a point where you will be able to have your say. 30th Jan Parish Council Meeting with Public Participation - 8pm - Village Hall 27th Feb Parish Council Meeting with Public Participation - 8pm - Village Hall 26th Mar Parish Council Meeting with Public Participation - 8pm - Village Hall Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 5 Parish Council Highways Committee Report It has been a busy quarter for the Highways Committee of the Parish Council and we are pleased to announce that the much-anticipated works to the kerbs in Purlieu Way will be undertaken at the end of November/ beginning of December. The Parish Council has worked hard to resolve this issue in Purlieu Way, committing £6,000 in funds, which Essex County Council has agreed to match.

The Highways Committee is aware of the potholes which currently exist in Woburn Avenue, Graylands, the junction of Morgan Crescent and Orchard Drive. There have been concerted efforts, with the help of County Councillor Chris Whitbread, to arrange for their repair. Unfortunately, liaising with the Highways Authority continues to be a very frustrating and time- consuming process. Where permissible, the Parish Council will explore alternative options to improve the situation.

The Parish Council canvassed the views of Villagers and the shop owners in Forest Drive ahead of a meeting with a street designer from Ringway Jacobs. The aim of this meeting was to explore options for the re-design of the shopping area in the Village and to address issues around the lack of parking. The findings of the street designer ruled out any major re- configuration since the road is prohibitively narrow for any alternative layout. Ideas around raising the level of the pavements were also ruled out on the basis of being too costly. However, the Parish Council will continue to explore more modest improvements as well as other parking solutions.

The Corporation of London met with the Highways Committee at the end of the Summer to address maintenance issues around the Green. In particular, it had been reported to the Parish Council that the Pond (see left) was looking overgrown in places, that the ditch (running along the back of the Green near Woburn Avenue) was in need of attention and some of the pathways were in need of resurfacing. Accordingly, the Corporation of London has already trimmed one of the islands in the Pond, strimmed around the ditch and they have suggested that they would be keen to work with the Parish Council in the future, on a match funding basis, to resolve further issues. The Highways Committee is currently in the process of obtaining quotes for the resurfacing of the pathways and hopes to resolve this issue in the near future. CLLR. ANTHONY PURKISS Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 6

Bugs seem to be everywhere during the colder months - The best way for you to stay well is to do everything you can to prevent yourself from getting ill in the first place – or if you fall ill, to take the right steps to get better quickly to stop things from getting worse. You can treat many minor health conditions without seeing a GP. Top tips from Sailesh and the team at Theydon Bois Pharmacy are:  Keep a well stocked medicine cabinet at home with over the counter medicines suitable for you and your family. Medicine Cabinet Essentials are Simple painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen Sore throat, coughs, colds and flu medications Heartburn and indigestion remedies Anti-diarrhoea medication Rehydration salts Allergy medicines Pile (haemorrhoid) treatments First aid kit including plasters and bandages

 Visit your pharmacist at the first signs of illness for advice and over the counter medicines. Discuss about what medicines are suitable for you and your family, particularly if this includes children as they may require something different to you.  Get a flu vaccination – it’s free if you fall into one of the eligible criteria.  For emergency or life threatening conditions, call 999 or go to the nearest accident and emergency department at a hospital.  If you are unsure what to do or you have an urgent need, call 111. You can call 111 at any time of day or night. They will give you professional advice and support, and will make sure you get the care you need whether that be advice on self care, booking a GP appointment, signposting to a pharmacist for advice, booking you into an urgent treatment centre or if it’s more serious calling an ambulance. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 7 District Councillors’ Column The autumn this year at Council has been really quite a busy time. Although many things are in progress, most have not yet reached completion. However, in September, the Council passed a motion, seconded by John, to declare a climate emergency. This will focus our minds to do everything we can to address our carbon footprint. We are particularly looking at areas that we can influence through our Local Plan, including the production of an Air Quality Management Plan. Additionally, we are preparing a guide for developers and developments to maximise their sustainability. We will continue to let you know what measures are being taken.

Tied into this, it is important to remind you that the more that we can recycle, then the less waste has to go to landfill. We have a good record in the district on recycling; we recycle around 60% of our waste, but there is still room to improve. The waste collections do allow for textile, small electrical items and batteries to be put out and picked up on normal collection days. We all have access to the recycling bags, but remember that they are there for the purpose of recycling. They cost the council, and therefore cost you, a significant amount of money each year. Quite often these bags can be seen around the village being used for other purposes. We have even seen them with rubbish in the black bins. It doesn’t help on a cost basis, a green outlook, or to improve our recycling rates to use them for purposes that they are not provided for.

We are continuing to work on the Local Plan. We have formally responded to the Inspector’s letter and are tackling the items that need to be progressed. The major item that we need to complete is addressing the potential impact of development on the Special area of conservation in Epping Forest. Some of you may know that we are currently blocked for issuing Planning permissions that have any potential to affect the forest by Natural England. For new developments, we have not been able to issue permission since June 2018. This clearly has a major impact on developers and on our ability to meet government targets for growth in the district. Aiming to resolve this is our main priority.

You may also have heard that the Council has been requested and agreed to the use of a part of North Weald airfield by the government as part of the Brexit preparations. HMRC is setting up a documentation station for HGVs on the way to Europe to reduce the pressure at the ports. It is a temporary agreement for 2 years and we are getting a rental income, which will help to fund the services we provide in the district.

You may also have heard a number of months ago about the possibility of moving the Council’s back office functions to a new-build property at North Weald. We are pleased to be able to say that the decision has now been made to remain fully in the current location in Epping. The main offices were listed by Historic England, which had caused potential issues in redeveloping the building for a modern way of working. Most of these have now been solved. We will still be moving out of the 1960’s building at the back of the site, which was allocated for residential development in the Local Plan. Staying at the current location will allow progress to be made more quickly and importantly at a lower cost than with the other approach.

Can we close by reminding you of our monthly surgeries at 11 am on the first Saturday of each month in the Queen Victoria. We would be very pleased to see you and answer any questions, or just have a chat. We hope you have a Happy Christmas and a good New Year. Remember, you can recycle your Christmas trees in January through the Council with your normal rubbish collection.

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN PHILIP - 812473 SUE JONES - 814548 Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 8

We understand that the decision to move to a care home is a big one, for our residents and for their relatives. You can rest assured that every day at Woodland Grove is one you’ll cherish. Contact us today to arrange your personal visit and let us show you what we mean when we say this is a Home For Life! Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 9 News from County Hall It seems amazing that we are now starting to look back over 2019 and realising what a busy year it has been. It is good to work with Theydon Bois dedicated Parish and District Councillors. I liaise on a regular basis with Councillor Anthony Purkiss who works hard to make sure that issues in the village are addressed including a meeting with the County Councils Highways Cabinet member to discuss local issues.

Bearing in mind the high level of concerns raised in relation to our roads and pavements I am pleased that in my role as leader of Epping Forest District Council we have always been ready to match fund the County Council on the Highways panel when the opportunity arrives.

As I said, when I first became your County Councillor three years ago, I was surprised to find nothing on the list for Theydon Bois. We are now putting forward schemes suggested by local people on a regular basis including a further request for Loughton Lane and a speed survey in Coppice Row.

I report pavement and pothole problems on a regular basis but I am always happy to report issues put forward by residents. Just e-mail me a photo and the location and I will make sure that it is reported. Your District Councillors John Philip and Sue Jones already hold regular surgeries and I have joined them at these to listen to your concerns. We will work together to make sure your voice is heard.

Should you wish to discuss any issues please feel free to contact me as detailed below

Finally, as this is the last article of 2019 I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Councillor Chris Whitbread County member for Epping & Theydon Bois Telephone 07866 749783 Email: [email protected]

1 December January  11 February  3 March Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 10 Remembrance Sunday November 10th 2019

Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 11 Remembrance Sunday November 10th 2019 (continued)

dditional Names to be added to the War Memorial - Arising from an exercise to plot A the names and graves in St. Mary's Churchyard and a subsequent enquiry regarding the number of War Graves in the churchyard, it has come to light that the names of two young soldiers who were killed in the Great War are not on the roll of honour which is read out at the annual Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial. Neither are their names included on the War Memorial. We have four official War Graves in St. Mary's churchyard, each with its official War Graves headstone. However, arising from the recent survey, we have discovered headstones on family graves bearing inscriptions to fallen soldiers, killed in action. This information had not been catalogued previously.

The survey has highlighted five such entries about fallen soldiers of which two are not on the War Memorial nor on our roll of honour. Obviously we wished to establish the identity of these soldiers which we did by researching the 1871, 1901 and 1911 Census and also War Graves Commission's Debt of Honour list of names of soldiers killed during the 1914 - 1918 war. The names and details of the two forgotten soldiers are as follows:

Lieutenant Herbert Debenham aged 26 East Lancashire Regiment, killed in action 9th August 1915 Cemetery. Helles Memorial Turkey (including Gallipoli). Mentioned in despatches.

Private Frederick Charles Pearce aged 21 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion, killed in action 7th April 1917. Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, France. Frederick is the brother of William Henley Pearce who sadly was also killed and whose name is listed on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour.

I have spoken to Peter Gooch, Chairman of the Parish Council about this discovery as it is the Parish Council who are responsible for the War Memorial. Peter has agreed to seek the agreement of Councillors to add the names of the two brave young men who for 100 years appear to have been forgotten. JOHN EATON Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 12

Theydon Bois Action Group Progress of Epping Forest District Council’s (EFDC) Submission Version Local Plan (SVLP) EFDC is currently working on addressing the 39 Actions (Main Modifications) required by the Planning Inspector in order that its Local Plan can be found “Sound”. In particular, the Inspector is very concerned about the impact that housing development and increased traffic movements would have on the integrity of Epping Forest, especially in terms of greater recreational pressure and the effect of atmospheric pollution on the Forest and its habitat, most of which is a Special Area of Conservation, having both National and European recognition and status. Natural England and the Conservators of Epping Forest both raised objections to EFDC’s Local Plan and spoke at the Examination in Public. EFDC is now having to carry out a programme of additional work, which will take approximately 6 months, in order to attempt to address these specific concerns over air pollution.

TBAG shares these crucial concerns on the air pollution caused by excessive, unsustainable, housing numbers and traffic movements in our District. The loss of Green Belt land, along with its agricultural use, hedges, trees and grassland, to make way for housing development and associated infrastructure, will result in less carbon dioxide (a Green House Gas) being removed from the atmosphere which will exacerbate the increasing climate change emergency around London. A recent Report (4 Nov 2019) by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London’s Green Belt has stated the positive impact of the Green Belt on people’s mental health and physical well-being, local food production, and the capital’s ability to address the climate emergency such as supporting the targets set out in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. The Report says there is little evidence of “affordable homes” being built in the Green Belt, despite the fact that there is space for well over 280,000 homes on previously developed brownfield land within Greater London alone. Developers will always favour building on “shovel ready” sites in the Green Belt rather than brownfield sites in London, as they can make a bigger profit. Furthermore, the Government’s definition of an affordable home is 80% of the actual market price, which would still be out of the reach of most young people in Epping Forest District!

The All-Party Parliamentary Group also recommends that the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) be reviewed and amended to ensure that the Green Belt is better protected from inappropriate development. TBAG shares this view and would add that Permitted Development (that which can be carried out without gaining Planning Permission) should not apply in the Green Belt. Unfortunately, the Government, in its quest for economic “Growth”, has sacrificed the protection of the Green Belt, in spite of its continued assurances “To protect our precious Green Belt land” which is “Absolutely sacrosanct” and this has effectively forced Local Authorities to allow developers to build on Green Belts through the process of creating new Local Plans.

It is also of some concern that Transport for London (TfL) had stated that capacity on the Central Line would be improved and should not act as a deterrent to planned growth in the Local Plan, including of course the homes TfL plans to build on its own station car parks from Buckhurst Hill to Epping. However, we now learn that a reduced service between Debden and Epping, during peak hours, is planned for the New Year, albeit that this is indicated as being a temporary measure.

Local Planning Matters Blunts Farm, Coopersale Lane – The application to build 3 new dwellings in place of agricultural buildings (EPF/0597/19) was refused by the planning officer on the grounds of inappropriate development which would be harmful to the rural character of this unsustainable Green Belt site. This decision is consistent with earlier refusals for new housing development at Blunts Farm.

TBAG extends season's greetings to all villagers and wishes you all the very best for the New Year.

Theydon Bois Action Group www.theydonbois-actiongroup.co.uk Protecting the Village of Theydon Bois - Follow @TBActionGroup on Twitter Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 13

Primary School Christmas Card Competition

Every year the Parish Council together with Theydon NewsDesk challenge the children from the Primary School to produce a Christmas Card for our village. The judges pick a winner from each class, winners for Infants/ Reception and an overall winner (which becomes the Parish Council’s official Christmas Card).

Pictured left is the judging panel. Left to right are Tony Ames, Jen Endean & Peter Gooch. Judge Jim Watts took the photo.

 Coppice DAISY POLAIN

Overall Winner & Parish Council Christmas CARD 2019

 Forest & Reception Winner BAMBI ALEXANDER Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 14 Primary School Christmas Card Compeition

 Buxton Winner LAUREN BRITTON

 Orchard Winner OLIVIA FOGARTY

 Blackacre Winner OLIVIA SOMOGYI

 Baldocks Winner ISAAC JUDD Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 15 Primary School Christmas Card Compeition

 Woburn Winner MILLIE EWING

 Pakes Winner SCARLETT MURPHY

 Harewood Winner PHOEBE WHELAN

 Purlieu Winner  Piercing Winner PHOEBE MASKELL ABIGAIL FRY Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 16

Theydon Bois Drama Society - Our Last Production Review by NODA (National Operatic & Dramatic Association)

Agatha Christie plays are always popular with both audiences and societies, as was this. However, they are difficult to do successfully because of the one static set and the fact that much of the dialogue takes place sitting down. However, the director, Nicola Gilbert, had worked well with the cast to provide enough ‘natural’ movement to add extra interest ensuring the audience was fully engaged with the dialogue within the action of the story.

One of the joys of a Theydon play has always been its set and this was no exception. This was a good comfortable, secure set, carefully furnished with well chosen props keeping within the period of the play. The positioning of the furniture ensured good grouping of the actors. The costumes were very well considered, and very much suited to the characters wearing them. This production had a strong cast, under the keen direction of Nicola Gilbert and the interaction between them enabled the story to be told with the required amount of red-herrings and misdirection. Our Next Production - Wind in the Willows 9th, 10th & 11th January 2020 Come and join Mole, Ratty, Toad, Badger and their friends on their adventures along the Riverbank.

The Wind in the Willows is an enchanting story that generations have enjoyed and this version combines Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale with Alan Bennett’s modern touch in a delightful way that children old and young will enjoy.

Our friends’ adventures feature horse drawn caravans, motor cars, trains and barges. Come and join Ratty and Moley as they meander along the river in their rowing boat, Badger as he digs in for Winter and Toad as he welcomes everyone to Toad Hall.

A number of tricky scrapes confront Toad along the way as the Weasels are out to take over Toad Hall.

With singing, dancing and festive Tickets £11.00 from cheer, this is the perfect way to end the Christmas Season. www.theydondrama.org or phone 01992 919038 Three evening performances and a Saturday Matinee at 2.30 pm.

Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 17 Theydon Bois Drama Societ y - Our Last Production

Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 18 Days Out From Theydon - Visit to ROH Production Centre at Purfleet Some of you may be lucky enough to be going to the ballet this Christmas – and even luckier if this is at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Village News went “Behind the Scenes“ at the Production Workshop in Purfleet to see some of the secrets behind the dazzling performances of Opera & Ballet on stage.

The production workshop was forced to move out of East London due to the building of the Olympic Village in Stratford for 2012 Olympics. They were shown a neglected estate in Purfleet where a 16th Century Farmhouse (High House) and outbuildings were available and here amongst the industry estates, and within sight of the Thames and the Queen Elizabeth Bridge two new buildings (named after major donors): the Bob and Tamar Manoukian Production Workshop and the Costume Centre were built. The Production Building is an Eco Building with a sedum roof and clad with cedar which means it is insulated against heat and cold.

Just as the redevelopment of the Opera House has greatly improved facilities so the enforced move of the production Workshop has enabled the development of the most advanced and labour-saving methods of scenery design and production and will shortly allow all the ROH’s stock of Costumes (currently stored in a warehouse in Abadare, Wales) to be housed in one place with a carefully controlled environment.

Our tour (in a small group) allowed us to see the scenic artists and craftspeople at work and the whole process of scenery production from the painting of backdrops through to the building of sets and the meticulous labelling of every piece before they are dismantled and loaded on to containers for transport to the opera house for productions – the sets for each production can fill between 3 and 9 removal trucks. The size of the building allows sets to be viewed as if from the auditorium of the Opera House whilst the lighting is automatically controlled to take account of the amount of daylight coming in from the windows – it seems that no detail has been forgotten – including viewing galleries for visitors! We were impressed by the calm environment and the attention to detail – soothing background music and the sense that everyone knew exactly what they were doing whilst building, painting, assembling and moving incredibly complex sets.

Moving on to the costume centre where some examples from previous productions were on show together with another impressively well-organised workspace, we learnt that the ROH makes all its costumes and stores them from previous productions which may be re-used when a production is revived. The stars may have a new costume made to measure but those for the chorus have big seams! There are 20,000 costumes from the current Royal Opera House repertory, as well as Royal Opera House Costume Collection of approximately 6,300 items of costumes and accessories, ranging from tutus and grand opera costumes to body suits, animal outfits, opera and ballet shoes, jewellery, tiaras, helmets, to wigs and we were able to inspect the details at close quarter to admire the craftsmanship and designs close-up.

Our tour passed all too quickly thanks to our enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, and after an excellent lunch at the on-site café left the oasis of culture which is the High House estate to drive back to Theydon. Next time we are lucky enough to visit the Opera House or see a live streaming at the cinema we will appreciate it even more. The ROH Production Centre is Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 19 Days Out From Theydon - Visit to ROH Production Centre at Purfleet approximately 50 minutes drive from Theydon and can also be reached by public transport. Tours run twice a day at 11.00am and 1.00pm usually on Fridays and cost £11.00. Further details can be found on the ROH website.

Our Guides Scenery production area

Meeting a friend

High House Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 20 The Past Autumn in Theydon Bois The Past Autumn in Theydon Bois, as described below, covers the extensive period from August to mid November 2019 as recorded in the Theydon Bois Local History. Therefore, due to space limitations, much detail has been omitted and so this Past Autumn copy only gives a "broad brush" picture of events which occurred during the autumn period of 2019. The August Bank Holiday weekend commenced with record breaking temperatures of over 33 degrees C. which discouraged many older folk from venturing outdoors after midday. However some annual events saw increased support, one being the Epping Horticultural Show in St John’s Church. The Copped Hall Open Day attracted many as usual with its open house, light lunches, drinks tent and ice creams from a lady vendor with a tricycle; but the hot dogs business suffered badly in the heat. A Celebration for the Life of Aline Drake, a prominent local resident who died on 18 08 19 after a short illness was held in glorious weather at the Green Acres Burial Park in North Weald. Many Villagers were present for this sad but memorable occasion in which music and the theatre were prominent. The government announced the provision of financial support for major UK towns which had suffered economic and social decline in recent years. This financial support was also intended for help with the restoration of historic town centres and, it was understood, that the EFDC would receive funding to combat illegal developments in the Green Belt, such as unauthorized traveller encampments and illegal car parks, and to employ more enforcement officers, to deal with rogue developers and illegal developments. In late September the local crime scene took a spectacular turn when four underage young people in a stolen car were involved in a police pursuit of some ten miles from Enfield in North London to Loughton. A number of police cars and a police helicopter were involved and the car was stopped by police at the dead-end trading complex in Langston Road, Debden. The driver of the stolen car tried to escape by ramming other parked vehicles but was finally prevented by a police laid spike mat which deflated the car’s tyres. The car was surrounded by armed police who smashed the windows and forcibly removed the four occupants with some difficulty. The incident was alarming due to the level of violence involved, the young age of the offenders, the danger to the general public and the possible use of drugs. The festive season in the Village began early in October with Parishioners and friends packing shoe boxes with small toys and gifts to be sent to deprived children at Christmas via the charity “Teams 4 U”. Despite the wet and windy weather, a large audience of some forty was present in the Village Hall for a special meeting of the Rural Preservation Society. Local resident Vic Knope gave a presentation about the life of Queen Boudicca/Boadicea, warrior Queen of the Iceni, who ransacked the eastern provinces of Roman Britain, including the then Roman City of London. Apparently, she was finally defeated in a battle north of London, & not at the nearby Ambresbury Banks in Epping Forest as had often been thought. There was growing pressure for government action to change the system which forced many dementia sufferers and elderly pensioners to sell their homes to meet the escalating cost of stay in care homes. Their own homes, which may have been purchased throughout their working life were possibly intended to be passed down to the younger members of the family. But, as had often happened in the Village, their homes had been acquired by “redevelopers” who had built substantial properties in their place & were priced beyond the reach of the younger generation. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 21

The Past Autumn in Theydon Bois (continued) A wet night did not deter those attending a packed house for the last night of the Theydon Bois Drama Society’s current production Agatha Christie’s play “A Murder is Announced”. The plot revolved around a group of villagers in Chipping Cleghorn who were summoned by a newspaper to the house of a Letitia Blacklock expecting to take part in a murder game. But realism occurs when a man is shot dead. A certain renowned sleuth, Miss Marple, was present and took the lead in resolving the murder. The cast of twelve gave an excellent performance and was supported by a team of some seventeen back stage workers. The production was directed by Nicola Gilbert. At the beginning of November the Fairlop Brass Band gave a spirited afternoon performance at the Village Hall before a large audience. Their programed comprised some thirteen swing numbers, including The St Louis Blues and I Got Rhythm, from the American jazz age and the musicians played with such enthusiasm that the audience was foot tapping frequently. Their musical director and conductor, Kevin Jordan, thanked the audience for the band's welcome and promised to arrange a return visit to the Village in the New Year after their Festive Crackers concert on 17th December. The Epping Rail Circle held its annual Model Rail Exhibition in the Village Hall which was the best for some years with eleven layouts of mixed gauge on view and in operation; typical was the attractive N gauge Ambleton Vale which was set in the rolling countryside somewhere in central southern England. There was a dearth of young schoolboys, possibly due to school half term holidays but plenty of youngsters instead with mums and dads in tow. A “Thomas the Tank Engine Layout” was very popular with the young visitors who were “encouraged” to handle the trains and help push them when track failures occurred! By midday some three hundred visitors had arrived, and eventually some six hundred pounds realized for the Rail Circle funds. The event was supported by side stalls including tasty refreshments provided by the ladies of the Society. This 2019 Remembrance Sunday was of special significance because of the increasing number of WWII ex service men and women who had now passed on during the previous twelve months. The annual Remembrance Services and Parades were held in the Village, Epping and other neighboring areas. Villagers watched the nationwide detailed coverage on TV which included parades in other countries and the personal accounts from many whose forbears and associates were involved in the two terrible world wars. The Queen was present at the Whitehall ceremony, but her wreath was laid by Prince Charles, while other wreaths by members of the Royal Family were laid. 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 108 December 2019 Page 22 Theydon Bois Primary School TA Fireworks Night - On Tuesday, 5th November Theydon Bois P Primary School held its annual firework display. As usual we attracted people from both our school and the wider public to watch the amazing fireworks. Some people stood on the playground and some people stood on the field. The DJ (Jayden’s dad) played some music whist others danced.

There was an amazing food stand where they sold hot chocolate, hot dogs, burgers etc. When it started everybody went quiet; a few seconds later the fireworks flew through the air and then the mayhem and fun finally began! Everyone was so amazed with the fireworks this year! Thank you to everyone who helped out, the night was a great success and we made a cool £5,000 for our lovely school! - by Amber and Ollie.

n The Buses! - Recycling a London Bus O - Wow! It is finally here. Thursday, 14th November at 10.45 our bus arrived pulled by a massive tow truck. It was unhitched and driven into the school grounds by Mr Terry Austin and parked in a spot near the amphitheatre. What a wonderful opportunity for us to convert such an iconic vehicle and give it a second lease of life as a library instead of it being recycled and turned into bean cans.

This will be a very much needed space in our school. The old library will be changed into a room for small focus group work and a meeting room for our SENCO and teachers. We are all very excited about this new and adventurous project. As funds are tight we will soon be putting feelers out for sponsorships or donations to support us in transforming our bus into a fantastic new library- Andre Rall, Headteacher.

he wheels of the bus go round and T round!!! - At Theydon Bois Primary School we are super excited to receive our bus. A ‘’Double Decker London Bus’’. We are taking out the seats and converting into a library so that we can spend time in our new bus library Terry Austin of Stagecoach hands to read and learn in a leisurely atmosphere. We over to Headteacher Andre Rall would like to thank Mr Terry Austin and his company (Stagecoach London) for making this dream a reality for all the children and teachers at Theydon Bois Primary - Raffelle, year 6.

Happy reading from all of us at Theydon Bois Primary School. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 23 Theydon Bois Primary School (continued) Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 24 Theydon Bois & District Rural Preservation Society alks – In 2019 the Society held the same programme of walks in the countryside around W the village as last year and plans to do the same in 2020. We are also having discussions with the City of London about reintroducing a visit to the Deer Sanctuary next year. The walks are free and there is no need to book except for the one to the Deer Sanctuary, where if this is agreed, the numbers will be limited to make them manageable and there will be a requirement to book a place in advance. Details about booking will follow as soon as available.

There are always new arrivals to the village that have yet to explore the surrounding forest, which is so special to our village, and our guided walks with accompanying commentary might encourage further exploration. The proposed dates for the walks are: 5th April; 3rd May; 7th June; 6th September. All dates are Sundays and the walks start at 2.00pm from the Village Hall. Please check the Society’s recently revised Web Page on the Village Website; www.theydon.org.uk for the most up to date information on our activities. . alks – An appreciative audience attended our talk in October by Vic Knope who expertly T outlined the life and times of Boudicca/Boadicea with suitable illustrations setting out fact from legend. Our next talk will be before our AGM next year on Friday 3rd July 2020 and there will be a further free talk on Friday 20th October 2020.

lanning – We were pleased that EFDC refused an application for three large properties in P the Green Belt at Birch Hall Farm that we had objected to as it seemed to go against every tenet of the National Planning Framework (NPF), one of whose aims is to protect the Green Belt. We also wrote a letter of objection to a planning application for a house in Buxton Road, asking for a modification that would prevent a “terracing effect” out of keeping with the surrounding street scene.

We have continued our weekly monitoring of planning applications for the village, of which there have been some fifteen since September, which are displayed in our noticeboard beside the estate agents in Forest Drive.

emembrance Sunday – As has been our custom for many years the Society’s Chairman R laid a wreath at the village war memorial during the 100th anniversary of Remembrance Day Service at St. Mary’s Church.

Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 25 Copped Hall Corner ROGRESS AT THE MANSION - The Trust has now P completed the new ceilings and track lighting for the four exhibition rooms in the Mansion Wing. One of the new displays to be seen will be that of the various owners of the Old Copped Hall. This exhibition will supplement all the archeological work conducted on the site.

Work has now begun on the Glazed Roof for the Mansion Lightwell. This project will continue for some time and require further funding. It is vital to enclose the Lightwell so that it can be cleaned and made usable. The Lightwell is particularly important as it is sited immediately adjacent to the Mansion which could be devalued if this work was not carried out.

There is much interest in bringing the original 1895 lift back into working order. A firm of lift engineers has been found who will complete this project. At present, the roof of the lift shaft has become unstable and is being replaced. When finally in operation, the lift will not be able to transport people but will carry materials between the floors. To have a 125 year lift back in working order is seen as a worthwhile achievement in itself.

ROGRESS IN THE GARDENS - The Trust has installed steel handrails at two locations P in the Gardens where there are steps. The first location is at the change in level between the Great Lawn and the Lower Great Lawn; the second is beside the steps leading down to the Sunken Rock Garden. These handrails will assist those who find the steps difficult to manage, especially in wet weather. The Handrails are traditionally designed and painted black so not to be obtrusive.

Work is in process in the main gardens thanks to the influx of new volunteers. The lawns are now beautifully mown and the upgrading of the Terraces to the west of the Mansion continues. Clearance and construction work in the Winter Garden progresses with the aim of allowing visitors to enter the building next year. In the Walled Kitchen Garden the installation is awaited of the second phase of the Orchard House, which is being prefabricated off site.

AST EVENTS IN THE AUTUMN - There was much activity in the late Summer and P early Autumn with Drawing and Photographic classes, a well attended Jazz Evening and a successful August Open day together with other activities (as below) continuing up to the end of the year.

ORTHCOMING EVENTS UP TO 31 DECEMBER 2019

F  7th & 8th December : Xmas Carols  14th & 15th December: Xmas Carols

ITE AND GARDEN TOURS 2020 - Guided tours of the Mansion and Grounds are held on S the third Sunday of each month (Jan to Nov). Tours from 10.15 for two hours approx (gates open 10.00 to 11.00 (extended to 13.00 for July only). Gates are attended until fifteen minutes after commencement of the advertised event time.

Special openings of the Gardens are held on the first Sunday of each month from Apr to Sep between 14.00 and 16.00 (last entry 17.00), Car park gates locked at 17.15.

Unless otherwise stated, all events are held at the Copped Hall Mansion. Car parking is always available, as are refreshments. Vehicle access is only possible via the London entrance in the Upshire Road off the B1393.

For further information/tickets see www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk

Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 26 Theydon Bois Cricket Club he 2019 season proved to be a successful one at all T levels with many players making consistent contributions. The Saturday league side lost just four games and ended up well clear on points in second place in the second division of the Herts and Essex League. Pictured right is Warren Hyde receiving runners-up League Award from Ronnie Irani ex England & Essex cricketer. This means the side has been promoted and regain their place in the first division. It is essential that the team makes every endeavour to consolidate their position in the first division during the 2020 season with, hopefully, an influx of new players resulting in the re- instatement of a second team and competition for places.

ith regard to the Sunday side what can be said of their W exploits. Due to an injury to the captain Ahmed Tariq, the first game did not take place until early June but from then on full teams and weekly fixtures were maintained. The team lost just four games against good opposition with the two youngest players, (both aged 16), given full rein. Dominic Small opened the batting in the nine games he played accumulating 281 runs at an average of over 31 and passing 50 on two occasions. He also held eleven catches ten of which were in his role as wicket keeper. The other youngster Dominic Tunks produced excellent bowling displays and, if justice had been done, he would have ended up with a lot more wickets. He also proved his worth with the bat when given the chance, scoring an unbeaten 70 in one innings. Whilst mention has been made of the two youngsters everybody who played made a full contribution under excellent captaincy and support of team mates.

he Colts/Junior sides played fixtures at under 9, T under 10, under 11, and under 13 age groups. The enthusiasm and skill shown bodes well for the future. Whilst the under 11 side was the most successful the other sides showed real potential. The coaching they have received led by Warren Hyde should not be overlooked nor should the support given by a large nucleus of parents/carers etc.

he Senior presentation evening was held on T 21/9/2019 with a reasonable attendance. The main awards went to Rob Bullivant who was voted Player of the Year for his all-round performances with bat and ball, Ahmed Tariq was made Club Person of the Year and also received Sunday Player of the Year and Mo Tariq was voted the Most Improved Player.

he Colts/Juniors presentation evening took place T on 5th Oct with great attendance from youngsters and their parents/carers etc. The main awards went to Charlie Ward as Player of the Year with the award for Most Improved Player going to Luke Simpson. The award for Best Performance went to the under 11 team for their display against Harlow CC. Thanks were conveyed to all those who helped out as Managers, Scorers, Umpires and Caterers. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 27 Theydon Bois Golf Club t won't be long before the names of the 2019 Captains will be painted in golf I leaf on one of our Clubhouse Honours Boards which celebrate the achievements of club members throughout the 122 year history of our Club and will forever be honoured with the title of a 'Past Captain,' which can open all sorts of doors - usually to golf clubs - for numerous events with other Captains who have all completed their year as the Club's main ambassador. At the end of November, Barney Bannington and Anne Zoers, our 2019 Captains, were honoured a the Annual Captains' Dinner and Dance held in our Clubhouse and at the AGM in early December will hand over their responsibilities to their Vice Captains who will step into role for 2020. The outgoing Captains might well breathe a sigh of relief as they anticipate putting their feet up a bit more after a busy year. The role of a Captain is not all fanfare, doffed caps and being 'waved through' by members on the course to ensure the Captain speedy passage around the course. Our Captains play a key role in the day to day life of the club, serving as Directors on the Club board, attend numerous meetings, playing a key role in welcoming new members to the club and they take on responsibility for the smooth running of various events. In addition to all of this they have opportunity to raise money for their chosen charity - a privilege, but one which our Captains take on with considerable pride and determination. This is a tradition which is common among golf club Captains and long may it continue. As golfers (skilled and less so!) we are privileged to be able to enjoy sweeping views and landscaped vistas which might explain why club Captains are vociferous in their fundraising - and rightly so.

his year Barney and Anne have joined forces to raise money for one charity, St Clare T Hospice which provides specialist palliative care and support for people with a terminal or life-limiting illness and their families. This will have started on 'day one' with the selling of 'ditch passes'. Captains usually select a hazard, such as a bunker or ditch which carries an additional penalty by way of a tariff to the paid to the Captain's charity. Members can seek to limit their liability by buying a 'pass' to cover them for a year's worth of poor shots! It doesn't stop there. Captains will use every opportunity to swell the coffers of their charity with impromptu 'fun fines' for any minor misdemeanor committed by a member! Many golf clubs will happily offer vouchers to Club Captains to include in their fund raising raffles and auctions. Many of our visitors each year will have bid for a 'four ball' to enable them and their friends to enjoy a round of golf, usually at a club they have not played at before. The highlight of the fundraising year was our Captains' Charity Day where our members emptied their pockets as well as donating a number of valuable prizes for auction.

ome the end of their Captaincy year, Barney and Anne are likely to have raised have C raised in excess of £4,500 for St Clare Hospice. Then it will all start again on the first Saturday of December when a new Captain will 'Drive In' from the 1st tee using an ancient hickory shafted club, members having wagered where they think the ball will land, with the judicious placement of a lolly stick! All funds to the new charity. We are precluded from revealing the names of our Captains' 2020 charities until they are formally announced, but we can guarantee that plans are already in place for yet another successful fundraising effort! Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 28 Theydon Bois Tennis Club he Tennis Club’s adult and junior coaching continues all through the winter, T so if you are a little rusty and fancy some fun exercise please look on our website for a session at a time that suits you. We run daytime, evening and Saturday sessions for everyone.

Senior Finals Day took place in September, with a glimpse into the future stars of the club. Leading Essex junior Toby Terrell (1) took victory over Kieron Murphy in an exciting Mens Singles. Toby then teamed up with older brother Ollie (2) to beat Richard Taylor and Paul Clarke in the Mens Doubles. This was the match of the day, with the Terrells mounting a strong 1 2 comeback from the brink of defeat.

eeta Lovage (3) won her M third Ladies Singles title, beating junior Evie Shaw in straight sets. Evie put up a great show but maybe experience showed at the last. The Ladies Doubles was again won by Heather Brady & Meeta Lovage (4) overcoming Alison Halls & Carol Hembury.

eeta had a busy day, partnering Kieron Murphy 3 4 M in the Mixed Doubles, but they lost to Heather Brady & Ken Randlesome (5).

he final match of the T day saw Sharon Greenleaf & Nigel Hanley (6) win the Mixed Handicap against Carol Hembury & Simon Meyer.

any thanks to John M Doody from Epping 5 6 TC for offering to umpire in two finals.

Please look on our website or Facebook page for more information on all our activities. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 29 Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 30 Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 31 Citizens Advice - Getting Older, Some Tips & Reminders Most people can look forward to living longer and being more financially secure in old age than has ever been the case before. There are, however, a few things it’s as well to be aware of as you reach the various milestones in ageing. Turning 55 - This is usually the earliest age at which you can take your occupational pension. If you are in a defined contributions pension scheme you have a range of options for how you use your pension pot. This makes you a prime target for fraudsters. The usual method is “cold- calling” over the phone, which is illegal. Millions of people have been targeted in this way. It is vital to ignore the calls and to get independent advice. Start with the free advice at https:// www.pensionwise.gov.uk/en. Turning 60 - You are now entitled to free prescriptions, free eye tests and a winter fuel payment. You can also buy a Senior Railcard which gets you substantially discounted fares on the national rail network and the London Underground. You may also find it easier to be allocated social housing if you are over 60. Approaching 65 - If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition you may be able to get a weekly benefit called Personal Independence Payment, commonly known as PIP. You must apply before you are 65. After that age the equivalent benefit is Attendance Allowance. The criteria are different and the payments may well be lower. At Citizens Advice we can advise you on whether it is worth applying for PIP. Approaching 66 - State pension age is now 66 for both men and women. The pension age is gradually rising and this will affect you if you were born after 5 April 1960. You will be invited to apply for your state pension a few months before you reach your pension date. If your state pension falls short of what the Government considers you need to live on you may be able to claim pension credit to top up your income. This may also qualify you for other benefits such as not having to pay council tax. You can check your eligibility via our website (www.citizensadvice.org.uk) or if it looks a bit complicated, come and ask us. When you reach state pension age you can get a free bus pass from Essex County Council. Turning 70-You’ll have to renew your driving licence & 75 -You can apply for a free TV licence. Contacting us for advice - The branch at 50A Hemnall Street in Epping is open for drop-in from 10am to 2pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays and the branch in Loughton Library is open between 9.30am and 1pm, Monday to Thursday.

Mr Anis Jaleel BDS (Lond) LDS, RCS (Eng) -We would like to welcome Anis Jaleel who is joining our team as a dentist working on Tuesdays, starting from 17th December 2019. Anis qualified at The Royal London Dental Hospital in 1986 and has been working now for over 33 years, gaining valuable experience on the way, especially as the owner and director of a very successful practice in Loughton for the last 26 years.

After many years running a family orientated practice, he would love now just to spend more of his time treating and talking with his patients and joining the lovely Theydon Dental team will allow him to do this.

Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 32 The Arts Society West Essex full coach of members of The A Arts Society West Essex set off from Loughton, Theydon Bois and Epping on a bright September morning to discover the delights of Birmingham, Lichfield, Coventry and Stafford to name but a few of the places visited in the four-day study trip. First stop was Packwood House, Lapworth in Warwickshire, the only National Trust stop in the itinerary. A much restored Tudor House originally built in the 16th Century, the interiors were extensively restored in the 1920s and 30s. Next stop was the group outside Lichfield Cathedral Coventry Cathedral, rebuilt after WWII to a design by Sir Basil Spence who commissioned now famous work by Graham Sutherland and Jacob Epstein - a man with strong links to Loughton - among others.

or contrast the deeply moving National F Memorial Arboretum was first on the agenda for Day Two followed by a visit to Lichfield and its cathedral in a busy afternoon which also included visits to Erasmus Darwin House and the Samuel Johnson Birthplace house. Day Three featured a fascinating tour to the transforming City of Birmingham which was an eye-opener for all who had not visited the UK’s second largest City in recent years, also visiting the largely unchanged and famous jewellery quarter. The journey home featured the George Washington gem Silhouetted Manor - the great man’s ancestors lived there and it now celebrates Silhouetted against the iconic view of bombed out peace between the US and UK. Last stop was Coventry Cathedral from the Spence Masterpiece historic Broughton Castle near Banbury, still the family home of the Fiennes family.

he October meeting began with the AGM at which Mrs. Nicola Munday was re-elected T Chairman for a second term together with other Officers and Committee. In her report Mrs. Munday paid tribute to the work of all Committee members, praising particularly charitable donations of £1,200 to three local charities. Special thanks were offered to Hall Manager Frank Bell and Ralph Bicker for help with the chairs.

he December meeting of the Society at Theydon Bois Village Hall featured a Gilbert and T Sullivan singalong in the lecture on the maestros’ operatic masterpieces. The New Year will contrast Underground Cathedrals in London and Hieronymous Bosch with Norwegian Arts & the contribution of Basingstoke to world culture ensures that lectures never get stuck in a rut. Inquiries to [email protected] 02085023998 or email member secretary Audrey Carson at [email protected]. Info: www.theartssocietywestessex.org Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 33 Rotary Club of Roding Have you ever wanted to give a bit back to the community whilst having fun at the same time? At Rotary we do just that. Your local club is part of an international organisation made up of people who share a passion for enhancing communities and improving lives across the world. We meet at 6.30pm for a 7pm start, on Mondays at the Queen Victoria, Coppice Row. As well as our regular meetings, we also arrange theatre visits, guided walks and outings to places of interest. The Rotary organisation itself also holds various sporting activities including golf, darts, pool and quiz nights, which you could become involved in whilst raising money for good causes. We are a happy, sociable club raising large amounts of money for charity each year.

At local club level, among the many causes we have supported recently are, Riding For the Disabled, Kids Out (a charity that takes disadvantaged children on days out), Jubilee Lodge (part of the Revitalise charity that provides short breaks and holidays, respite care, for disabled people and carers), Little Heath School (a special school for students with autism, a wide range of learning difficulties and complex needs), Shelter Box (Emergency disaster relief) and Memory Café (for people with dementia and their carers to meet with others in a relaxed social setting).

Each local Rotary club has a president that rotates amongst its members every year. This year’s President of our club, Bob Bishop, has chosen to focus on raising monies to support Prostate Cancer UK, and recently completed a sponsored walk of the London Loop (mainly countryside walks that circle London totalling 155 miles). The photo below shows Bob setting off from Chigwell station being wished well along his way by other members of our club. This raised £1,500 for the charity.

The President also chooses an international charity and this year we are raising money to support a centre in South Africa which aims to educate local children about their environment, train new guides among the local Zulu population and encourage local people to develop their land to encourage bird life.

Sounds interesting? On 27th January and 24th February, we are holding an open evening and anyone interested in finding out about Rotary or just joining us for a pint is very welcome. If you think you might be interested in joining us, why not come along and get to know us? Being a member can bring personal rewards and lifelong friendships.

More information on our club can be found at http://www.rodingrotary.org.uk/ Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 34 St Mary’s News Message from the Vicar - Christmas is coming! From the middle of November, if not A earlier, the shops and tourist attractions have been decorating, getting ready and offering the chance to visit their particular version of the traditional Grotto and receive a gift from Father Christmas. In the midst of the tinsel and wrapping paper, there is the often easily missed story of the birth of one special baby. The Christmas story is not just a story of another new baby born into poverty in the Middle East. Christians believe it is about the unique birth of a unique child, the baby, Jesus, who is also called ““Emmanuel”, which means “God is with us”” (Matthew 1:23).

Christmas is the story of God living on earth, coming to dwell with humanity to bring hope in a dark world. Into darkness a light has shone which still shines to this day. The child Jesus, as he grew, experienced what it was to be a refugee, to know what it is like to live life on the move pursued by those in authority. The grown Jesus knew the pains of human experience as well as its many joys. Whenever lights are lit at Christmas, there is a reminder that the light of Christ cannot be put out by darkness.

And yet, for some in the community Christmas 2019 will be a difficult time. For this reason, alongside the traditional Christmas services at St Mary’s this year there will be a service on Tuesday 17th December at 8pm called a Blue Christmas. Sometimes this service is also referred to as a Longest Night service, and it is a simple time of prayer, readings and gentle carols and we offer it as a resource and prayerfully a help to any who for whatever reason are not looking forward to the festivities.

There are of course the traditional Christmas services at St Mary’s. Christingle services are at 3.30 and 5pm on Christmas Eve and Holy Communion is celebrated at 11.30pm and again at the Family service on Christmas Day at 10.30am.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and that you may know the presence of Christ the light as the presents are opened this year. REVD. JOHN FRY

St Mary’s Theydon Bois

Monday 16th Dec - Pre-Schoolers service at 10.30a.m. Tuesday 17th Dec - Blue Christmas service at 8p.m (A short reflective service aimed at those who find Christmas difficult) Sunday 22nd Dec - 6p.m. Nine Lessons and Carols Tuesday 24th Dec - 3.30p.m. & 5p.m. Christingle Service 11.30p.m. First Communion of Christmas Wednesday 25th Dec - 10.30a.m. Family Communion Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 35 St Mary’s News (continued) heydon Bois Guiding groups continued their celebration year T with an open afternoon at St. Mary’s Church Hall on Saturday 28th September. The three groups (Rainbows/Brownies/Guides) showcased some of their meeting activities including pitching an old ridge tent and a modern tent outside and the Guides cooking over an open fire. Invited guests, parents and friends, which included past leaders and our County Commissioner were served refreshments.

All the girls had made and decorated cakes and cookies for this event. They also used the occasion to raise money for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and raised a magnificent

£640. (A big thank you to local businesses who donated raffle prizes). The Air Ambulance also did a fly over during the afternoon which the girls and their parents and invited guests were able to watch from the village green. Displays of old and new handbooks, photographs and old documents were available for visitors and girls to look at, including the original Guide flag used 100 years ago. (Members of the Theydon Bois Women’s Institute were the first leaders of the Guide company). A celebratory cake made and decorated by a couple of Guiders was cut by Dame Eleanor Laing. The Guiding units will finish off the year by attending the Remembrance Day service at St. Mary’s Church and having an outing on the 16th November to Harry Potter World. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 36

Help Our Trees - Theydon Bois Tree Wardens The autumn colours in Epping Forest have been wonderful this year and we are fortunate to live in this District, with the Forest on our doorstep, so we can enjoy these beautiful colours when out walking or driving along the Forest roads.

We are also lucky to have verges with such a variety of trees in our village. The cherry and plum trees put on a lovely show of blossom in the spring and also have colourful autumn leaves. Other less familiar varieties, such as the Amelanchier (also known as Snowy mespil because of its white blossom) and the more recently planted Liquidambar (a Sweet gum), can ‘match’ the Forest when it comes to autumn colour. The Liquidambar also has unusual fruits which look something like very spiky chestnuts - see photo.

Some new street trees will be planted this winter but not as many as we have had in previous years due to cuts in funding. However, the Parish Council and a few residents are sponsoring a number of new trees to make sure that we have some replacements for ones which have not survived from last winter and a few in new locations. If you would like to donate a tree, perhaps in memory of a loved one or simply because you would enjoy seeing a new tree in a verge near you and know that you were doing something positive for our environment, have a look at the following link on the Council’s website: https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/environment/ trees-donation-scheme/

It is too late for this coming winter plantings and not all locations are suitable but it’s something to think about for next year. The present charge of £75, which is well under the true cost and has been held for many years now, is likely to go up but it is still a very worthwhile thing to do. When we go around the village removing suckers from the verge trees, It is sad to note that some of our verges are in a very poor state. Many verges have deep depressions, filled with water at this time of year, because residents repeatedly drive their cars across the verge for the convenience of parking in their front gardens. Some damage is due to building works, but we do have responsible residents and building contractors who repair and reseed the verges after construction work has finished. If some can do it, why not all? This unnecessary damage spoils the appearance of our village streets for everyone and, if a tree is nearby, it does not do the tree any good as the soil becomes compacted and waterlogged.

Please can everyone look after our verges, not just for their own sake, but so that our trees have the best chance to grow and make their valuable contribution to the character of our village.

THEYDON BOIS TREE WARDENS Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 37 Tippy’s Topics - Theydo n Bois Facebook Groups A warm welcome from the All Things Theydon Bois and Theydon Bois Villagers only pages, on-line forums on Facebook to encourage any issues/debates/sharing of information and so on. The All Things Theydon Bois page or (ATTB) has members living as far afield as Australia, to as close by as Ongar and lots of residents still happily residing here. The Theydon Bois Villagers only page is exclusively for those residing here now. This is a little round- up of any issues arising, topics that may be of interest to those who do not want or have online access to the sites, these are a few subjects that have been discussed since our last issue.

I am so happy to announce that we now have a bereavement café in the rear hall at the Baptist Church 'a drop-in group' to support local people experiencing bereavement, offering a place to meet and connect with others, for tea, chat and company. These sessions came into fruition after several individuals expressed an interest and St Clare Hospice listened, they will run on the 1st Saturday of the month between 10am - 12 noon - for anyone interested please telephone 01279-773762.

There has been a petition shared regarding Central line peak time trains from Epping and Loughton reportedly being reduced in January, I understand that this has been signed by many. There has been quite a reaction and lots of people have expressed their anger, arguing that improvements to the service would be so much more appreciated than a reduction. As Halloween approached there were several requests as to whether any organised events were taking place for young children, there were also posts about being careful whose doors were knocked on, and being respectful of residents. The manager of one of our residential units opened their doors to children for their Halloween party. There were many reports of well behaved, wonderfully dressed children who both enjoyed and gave enjoyment to villagers with their outfits and fun. Unfortunately it was also reported that a dispersal order was in place due to youths throwing fireworks.

There were several arguments regarding fireworks, it was reported that lots of animals were terrified, often cowering in corners and whimpering over the incessant bangs and explosions. Some stated that Bonfire Night should still be what it used to be, a 'one' night event and that they felt the whole exercise was becoming more like a Bonfire Week, whilst some have argued that said fireworks are dangerous in the wrong hands as shown by the actions of those that bought about the dispersal order in Epping. There have been petitions to stop events other than those that are officially organised alongside others stating that the minority of culprits should not be able to stop the majority of law abiding people and families having private firework displays. This has been a very heated topic.

There has been some debate again about what to feed the ducks around the pond, we have been given a barrage of information about best practices and some of it appears to be conflictory. Some have argued that bread has always been ok, others say its junk food for the birds. There has been a firm agreement that food should be placed in the water not on the banks or in the grass as this can encourage rats.

There have been the usual power cuts, with villagers showing true grit and offering one another assistance, giving advice about items they can purchase to give light in the darkness. Our Remembrance Service was yet again an emotional affair, attended by many - one of our villagers wrote a wonderful, thought provoking, piece about the importance of the day and how so many different parties pull together to honour those we should never forget - thank you Tony Poole.

Some villagers are getting frustrated and angry with pet owners who are bagging their animal’s waste and then dumping the bags all over the place, hanging them on branches, dumping them in kerbs and so forth. It is agreed that this is disgusting, and could pose a worse health risk than not bagging it. There are poo bins around which can be used, if not, it is agreed, take it home with you. There have been photos shared on the sites of culprits walking away from their pet’s mess. TIPPY Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 38 Theydon Bois Baptist Church

There are some very important community events at the Baptist Church in the village over the winter months, so please come along, and share this information with friends or neighbours who may be interested.

Candlelight Carol Service Services on Sunday Christmas Eve at 6.00 pm. Traditional at 10.30am (includes Youth carols, and some modern ones, a harpist, Church), and at 6.00 pm choir, Christmas Cracker jokes, drama and lots of laughter, and a special surprise guest appearance from the North Pole

Drop in for a cup of tea and a chat.

We are working closely with St. Clare Hospice to provide a Bereavement Café on the 1st Saturday in the month (the next one is on the 7th December) from 10am – 12 noon at the church. A very informal café, come and chat and if you like share your story with others experiencing bereavement. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 39

Theydon Bois Baptist Church (continued)

Youth Church Livewires Youth Drop-in Centre We have revamped our old Sunday School Come along straight after school from year for the village kids. Youth Church gets 5 up to year 7 inclusive, every Thursday together part way through the morning during term-time until 5.30 pm. Games, service on Sunday from 10.30 am. Lots of sports, crafts, dancing, music, table tennis, crafts and things to make, Bible stories, and basketball, cheese & ham toasties, games. chocolates and biscuits etc. And the best part of all this is its free.

Little Cherubs Parents/Carers & Toddlers group. Every Family Fun Tuesday 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm. Lots of toys, Come and enjoy crafts, games, stories & dressing up, fresh fruit, (coffee & tea for food. Saturday 7th December & Saturday grown-ups), singing, dancing, and lots of 25th January 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm. laughter and fun.

Check out our website for more details: www.tbbc.org.uk Or Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/theydonboisbaptist/about/ Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 40 Theydon Bois Singers - An Invitation My name is Trish Cole. I have lived in Theydon Bois for over forty years and have worked as a piano and singing teacher, been choir mistress of the Theydon Bois School Choir, run Singing and Dancing Classes at the School and been involved in many community events. I have recently semi-retired and finally had the time to join the Theydon Bois Singers. I am writing to ‘sing’ the praises of our Choir and invite new members to join us! The benefits of singing are far too numerous to list here. Just a few would be; feeling more confident, having a sense of well being, and enjoying being an individual but also part of creating one big sound.

Why should you give the Theydon Bois Singers a try? Three reasons. Firstly, we are privileged enough to have two amazingly supportive, talented and experienced musicians who work with us. Lawrence Tatnall, our young but experienced conductor, has a lovely friendly, enthusiastic way of guiding our choir through the music whilst simultaneously, encourages improvement in our sound and ability. Lawrence chooses interesting and beautiful music for us to perform; a mixture of classical and modern, familiar songs. Paul Chilvers, our pianist. Paul, who in recent months could be heard live on the BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concerts programme, through experience and brilliance supports all the voices of the choir; so if reading music causes some concerns for you about joining the choir, you can get a lot of support from Paul whilst learning and performing the music.

Secondly, The Theydon Bois Singers began in 1967. It is a Village tradition that I, and many others would hate to see die out. The reality is that unless we get new and younger singers in, it will not have a future, so if you have any inclination to join a choir, come and give us a try! Thirdly, we are a very friendly and welcoming group of people!

If you are at all interested, come to our Christmas Concert on 10th December 2019 in the Village Hall. If you would like more information contact Barbara Lane on 01992 574892 or [email protected] Thank you for reading this. Trish Cole 07759949551 Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 41 News, Comments, Notices

Since commencing this initiative in March of this year, Richard Sowerby reports that two or three one-hour sessions have taken place each month since then and at the time of writing, a further three will have taken place by Christmas. In total since inception, the team of willing volunteers has recorded no less than 184 vehicles well exceeding the 30mph speed limit to-date. Of these, twelve vehicles were travelling in excess of 45mph and two others over 50mph!

What is noticeable, however, is that all but one of these very worrying and worst examples actually occurred during the first few months of commencing the Speed Watch activities. This seems to indicate that the deterrent is working and that word has generally got around to watch one’s speed when entering or leaving our village. The registered owners of all offending vehicles will have received very stern warning letters from the police and any repeat offenders face the prospect of much stronger action being taken against them. Three of the five approved sites have proved to be particularly ‘productive’ in identifying offenders, namely two separate locations on Coppice Row and one on Piercing Hill. Not surprisingly therefore, the team will be concentrating, mainly but not exclusively, on these sites in future.

Without any obligation, if you may possibly be interested in joining the team in 2020, please email [email protected] (Lead Co-ordinator) for more information in the first instance. Meanwhile, your local Speed Watch team would like to wish all our residents a very healthy, happy and SAFE Christmas and New Year.

Our New Year program starts Friday 17th January with Suffolk-based artist Ailsa Lynn demonstrating the use of watercolour and collage to create delicate landscapes.  Friday 14th February is our AGM, when members will bring along an example of their work, and talk briefly about it.  Friday 13th March, Melanie Cambridge will demonstrate the versatility and special qualities of Oil Pastels.

Everyone is welcome at these meetings - though there is an admission charge of £4.00 for non-members. Meetings start at 8.00pm in the Village Hall.

Tuesday 10th December at 7.45 pm - Theydon Bois Village Hall

Bar and Light Refreshments Tickets £10 in advance £12 on the door

For tickets Tel: 01992 573855 Email: [email protected] Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 42 News, Comments & Notices As 2019 comes to an end Community Cuppa goes from strength to strength. We think it works because the formula is so simple. There’s tea and cake and a friendly place to meet up, that’s it. No pressure to be doing anything, minimal cost, no affiliation to any particular body. It’s just about our community and building relationships. If you’re home from university, come along. If you’ve just dropped the children to nursery or school, drop in. If you’re out walking the dog, both of you pop by!

Dates for 2020 are now in place. The last Wednesday of every month, 10-12,

St Mary’s Church Hall. See above for 1st Qtr 2020. This year, the last Wednesday of December is Christmas Day, so we are bringing the event forward to Wednesday 18th December. We will open from 11- 2pm on 18th, gearing more towards a lunch party.

As ever, always looking for more people to make an occasional cake. If you do, you pay nothing at all and have our immense gratitude. Updates are available on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/

Fairlop Brass returns to the Village Hall on Tuesday 17th December at 7.30pm to provide a Christmas concert that is, for many, the true start of their Christmas Celebrations. Bring your own food and drink and enjoy an evening of Festive Music and the chance to sing those favourite Christmas Carols. The Band will serve you a mince pie during the interval and give you the chance to win a raffle prize. The last two years have seen almost all of the tickets for this concert sold in advance, with only a handful being available on the door

Ticket Details: £8 Adults £3 Children available via the Bands website www.fairlopbrass.co.uk or leave a message on the Bands Box Office Telephone 07598-506112 and someone will call you back within a few days. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 43 News, Comments & Notices

THEYDON BOIS INDOOR BOWLS CLUB WELCOMES YOU Theydon Bois Short Mat Bowls Club wants more people to experience the joys of playing bowls indoors. The Club, established in 1985, meets every Thursday at Theydon Bois Village Hall from 9am to 4pm with morning and afternoon sessions.

Short mat bowls takes place on a green carpet rink with a block of wood placed halfway down. The trick is to get the bowl to miss the wood as it makes its way to reach the jack. Might sound tricky but practice makes perfect and friendly games are always much enjoyed by the members. Internal competitions are played during the winter months for those who like an edge to their play. Social events are also in the calendar with special lunches to be enjoyed during the year. David Jolly, Club Treasurer said “This is a great game but the only way to find out is to come and play. We have a great venue and want to hear from anyone who has thought about having a go or just trying something new – now is your chance. Try us for a month free of charge to see if you would like to join.”

Men and women of all ages are welcome and newcomers can use spare sets of bowls to try out their skills. Anybody can join and as far as tuition is concerned most members will help and guide novices, the only equipment needed is flat shoes.

Come and join a very happy, friendly club for a few ends of bowls , coffee. biscuits and chat. Contact David Jolly on 01992611045 or email David on [email protected] Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 44

News, Comments & Notices

THEYDON BOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY As well as the trip to Nymans Garden, the Society also organised a trip to Hyde Hall for the R.H.S. Show in August. This was a first for us as it took place on a Thursday rather than a Saturday. Nevertheless, the coach was full so we will definitely be organising some more midweek trips. At Hyde Hall 2 new buildings have opened housing a new restaurant and an exhibition space. The floral art on display that day included a wonderful Green Man mask made of oak leaves.

Trip to Nymans, in Handcross, West Sussex, is one of the National Trust’s premier gardens, covers 33 acres and is a grade II* historic landscape. It was developed from 1890 by Leonard Messel and created around the collections of famous plant hunters of the period. Our visit was on a glorious sunny September day and the garden was looking splendid.

There are numerous parts to the garden including herbaceous borders, a rose garden with a selection of scented roses, the wall garden where the dahlias and Michaelmas daisies were flowering profusely and the rock garden, part of which was unplanted as attempts were being made to eradicate pernicious weeds. The house was devastated by fire in 1947 and much of it has been left as a ruin but we were able to visit the undamaged rooms which have been kept almost exactly as they appeared when last occupied in the 1980s. In addition to the house and garden there is an extensive area of woodland which includes the tallest tree in Sussex, a Giant Redwood over 50m tall. There is a large shop and a wide range of plants for sale, and many of our group took advantage of this. The weather was excellent – sunny but not too hot – and an excellent day was had by all. Many thanks to Margaret Jones for organising the trip.

Our AGM was on Wednesday November 20th, preceded by a talk about hunting for orchids by Leif Bersweden. There was the usual plant sale and refreshments. Looking forward to 2020, on the 12th February 2020 there is the long awaited talk by Tom Cole on Roses. It starts at 8pm

THEYDON FC - OUR FIRST SEASON Theydon FC is a new Sunday morning football team playing their home fixtures at the Theydon Bois Cricket Club (Avenue Road) in the Essex Sunday Corinthian Football League (see www.escfl.co.uk for fixtures).

The club was formed in Spring 2019 by a group of local young men & helped by the Buxton Trust and Theydon Bois Cricket Club in finding its home venue. Support on a Sunday morning from local residents & businesses would be welcomed & the club would like to thank local sponsors G.A.M General Building Ltd, Il Bacio Italian Restaurant, JP Morgan Scaffolding Ltd for their help in getting the club started. Manager David Hellen (078830134827 email: [email protected]) tells Village News that he really wants the club to be a community thing and would welcome some secretarial help & perhaps local sponsors for next season. In addition the club will welcome local young men to trial for next season early summer 2020 . Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 45 News, Comments, Notices

PAT - PLAYGROUND AT THEYDON Since it was completely replaced and reopened in July 2018 the playground has been used by a great many children in and around the area. There have been a couple of teething problems with some of the equipment, such as the seesaw handle and swing seat bolts, which have still been under guarantee so the committee have been able to get replacements where necessary.

The committee is delighted to see it being used so well and it is especially heartening to see groups catering for children with disabilities using the playground as it has equipment which is designed for them, eg, a wheelchair-friendly roundabout, and a harness swing. The committee would like to point out that while the vast majority of visitors to the site use it properly, there has been a very small element of anti-social behaviour taking place. Please note the playground has CCTV with night vision.

If parents could remind their older children that the playground equipment is aimed at 2 to 11- year-olds and to be mindful of this target group if they also use the Playground. Please can they also remind children that bikes are not allowed to be ridden in the playground in order to ensure the safety of the young children it would be gratefully appreciated.

The Playground at Theydon Committee continue their hard work in the back ground and have recently replaced the playground signs, are endeavouring to keep the hedges and the trees trim and continue to empty the Playground bins and tidy the Playground, so would appreciate if people could use the bins and use the recycling bin for recyclable materials only.

Four Debden Park Sixth Formers, living in Theydon Bois, have been given a lifetime opportunity to complete a conservation expedition in Malaysia and are fundraising for the trip. Their first event is the Zumba Festive Fundraiser above and they would love to see you there and other future fundraisers which will include a fun quiz night.

The girls are Grace Barns, Olivia Hamilton-Grant, Amber Ewing and Tilly Stephenson. Grace told Village News “the expedition is 2 weeks long, around Malaysia. During our time travelling we will be spending a few nights with the Bubbles Dive Resort Turtle Conservation. More than 90% of the sea turtle population in Malaysia has been wiped out by pollution and poaching since 1970. We will be spending time with the Bubbles’ Conservation Team members who will be teaching us about the high risk of extinction and the threats that these sea turtles face. At night we will conduct hourly beach walks to make sure no poachers are trying to steal the eggs to sell on the black market. This is only one example of the crucial volunteer work we aim to fulfil during our unitary time out there.

If you would like more information or make a donation to help fund the expedition contact Grace at gracerosebarns @aol.com. Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 46 News, Comments & Notices

THEYDON BOIS MENS FORUM The Forum meets in the hall behind Theydon Bois Baptist Church. The meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month and start at 10.15am. . If you would like to know more about the Forum please email the Church Secretary Mike McClean - [email protected]

11th Dec Paul Walker – “Work as a Chaplain at St. Margaret’s Hospital” 8th Jan Gary Wykes – “The Tower of London Crown Jewels” 22nd Jan Gordon Bailey – “Treasures Beneath Your Feet” 12th Feb Patrick Griggs – “Disasters of the 1980’s – His Work as a First Responder” 11th Mar Mark Wasilewski - “The Royal Parks” 25th Mar Ian Kirby - “The London River Front” 8th Apr Mark Smith - “Military Medals” 22nd Apr Steve Lester - “That’s a Wrap (Work as a Film Extra)”

THEYDON BOIS WOMEN’S INSTITUTE MEETINGS HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL New members and visitors are always welcome Call Daphne 01992 812454 or Carole 01992 812950

11th December Members Christmas Meeting 15th January Martyn Harrison – “Broadway to La Scala” 19th February Mrs. Sylvia Keith - “Copped Hall - History & Restoration” 18th March Mrs. Jane Malyon - “Confessions of a Mass Caterer” 15th April Annual General Meeting

ST MARGARET’S FRIENDS - SPRING LUNCH MARCH 28TH The Spring lunch to raise money for the Medical Unit at St Margaret's Hospital, Epping is to be held in Theydon Bois Village Hall on

Saturday March 28th 2020 from 11am - 3pm. Tombola, sale of plants, books, jewellery etc. Light lunches & refreshments will be served

EPPING FOREST HF WALKING GROUP Weekly Sunday walks ( usually 5 - 6 miles) around Epping Forest and surrounding countryside, with occasional walks in London. Walks usually start from Underground stations. (NB ; Dogs not allowed on walks). Annual group holiday and coach outings (in the UK).

For more information , please visit the website www.efhfg.org.uk E-mail ; [email protected] Telephone ; 01992-815-525 Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 47 News, Comments & Notices

CHRISTMAS DAY INVITATION CHURCHES TOGETHER IN EPPING Churches Together in Epping and District would like to invite anyone who will be alone on Christmas Day (and living in the Epping area) to join us for lunch at the Catholic Church Hall, Church Hill, Epping. Lunch will be a traditional, family style Christmas meal. Transport may be available. Carers with dependants and Couples who would enjoy some company are also welcome. It is essential that a booking is made, and a confirmation is received by the recipients as spaces are limited. Please contact – Mary Morgan: 01992 574719 or a member of the clergy from any Church in the Epping area.

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 meets every month from September to June (except December) on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings take the form of an illustrated talk or a demonstration, followed by refreshments. There is also a plant raffle and an alpine plant display. We meet at Theydon Bois Village Hall, starting at 8.00 pm. No meeting in December

Tuesday 14 January 2020 - Woodland Perennials (aka Plants for Shade) – Tim Fuller This talk will look at new versions of Cottage Garden favourites, as well as the rare and obscure species not well known, giving ideas on planting combinations and on choosing the right plants for your garden in shady places, whether that be natural woodland or the border on the north side of a fence. Tim runs the nursery The Plantsman’s Preference , https://www.plantpref.co.uk/

Tuesday 11 February

AGM followed by an entertaining presentation of members’ slides.

Tuesday 10 March The Langtang Valley, Nepal – Hugh & Diana Meteyard This talk is about the trek Hugh and Diana undertook in October 2019 up the Langtang Valley, from 4,000 to 16,000 feet, and the delightful autumn flowering gentians found at the higher altitudes.

The Alpine Garden Society runs a series of shows throughout the year. For the first time the Early Spring Show will be held at Theydon Bois Village Hall and Church Hall, on Saturday 29th February 2020. This show provides an excellent opportunity to see a wide range of superbly grown plants, and also to purchase plants from specialist nurseries.

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

Village News Issue 108 December 2019 Page 48 Village Activities 2019/20 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. 7 Dec Monthly Village Litter Pick - meet V Hall 9am 10 Dec Theydon Singers Christmas Concert - Village Hall 7.45pm - see page 41 12 Dec Toy & Train Fair - Village Hall - 7 to 9pm 14/15 Dec Fine Lines Closing Down Sale - St Marys Church Hall 11am -5pm Free Entrance 17 Dec Fairlop Brass FESTIVE CRACKERS - Concert in the Village Hall 7.30pm -page 42 4 Jan Monthly Village Litter Pick - meet V Hall 9am 9,10,11 Jan Theydon Bois Drama Society - Wind in the Willows - Village Hall - see page 16 27 Jan Roding Rotary Open Evening at the Queen Victoria (also 24 Feb) - see page 33 30 Jan Parish Council Meeting with Public Participation - 8pm - Village Hall 1 Feb Monthly Village Litter Pick - meet V Hall 9am 12 Feb Horticultural Society Talk - Village Hall 8pm - see page 44 13 Feb Toy & Train Fair - Village Hall - 7 to 9pm 27 Feb Parish Council Meeting with Public Participation - 8pm - Village Hall 7 Mar Monthly Village Litter Pick - meet V Hall 9am 26 Mar Parish Council Meeting with Public Participation - 8pm - Village Hall 2 Apr Toy & Train Fair - Village Hall - 7 to 9pm various Community Cuppa - see page 42 Theydon Art Group - see page 41 various St Mary’s Christmas Services-p34 Baptist Church Activities -pages 38/39 various Men’s Forum - see page 46 PC Public Participation meets - see page 4 various Alpine Garden Society-page 47 Women's Institute - see page 46 various Copped Hall - see page 25 Mobile Library - see page 9

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] NEXT VILLAGE NEWS COPY DEADLINE - 15th February 2020

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]

Thanks to our Sponsors Theydon Bois Pharmacy, Indian Ocean, Theydon Garage, Theydon Bois Balti House, Martin Shepherd Solicitors, Theydon Bois Dentists, Butler & Stag, Woodland Grove Care Homes, Slimming World & Refresh Cleaning - see pages 6, 8, 29, 30