Page 1 of 11 Everything Epping Forest 01/01/2009

Everything Epping Forest Page 1 of 11 everythingeppingforest.co.uk covers the Epping Forest district in Essex and features regularly updated news - in words and pictures - has a what's on listings section to highlight local events, a Local Business Directory and a section which allows clubs and organisations to publicise their activities free of charge Home | News | Your News Views | Events - What's On Diary | Clubs - Organisations | Local Business Directory Thursday, 1 January, 2009 Subscribe to a news feed Enter your email address to be alerted to new articles: Tributes paid to "best friend" Georgie Submit 29th November 2008 A 19-YEAR-OLD soldier from Epping has been killed while serving in Afghanistan. The family of Georgie Sparks have paid tribute to their "best friend" who died along with Nov 2008 | Today Marine Tony Evans, who were both serving with J Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, while on foot patrol on Thursday. They were to the north-west of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand province, when they moved on to the roof of a compound. There was an attack by insurgents armed with rocket-propelled grenades and both were badly wounded. Tell us your news... The Ministry of Defence said both received immediate medical attention and were moved Publicise your event... to a secure location before being put on a helicopter to be transferred back to Camp Promote your business... Bastion. Have your say... However both died during the flight. Georgie - or Sparky as he was known to his mates - Buy copies of photos that appear here... joined the Royal Marines in June 2006 and passed out from training in July 2007, joining email: 42 Commando a few days later. [email protected] During his time at 42 Commando he qualified as a sniper. call: David Jackman on 07710 447868 His parents, Wayne and Toni, and sister, Katie Sparks, said: "We have lost our best friend as well as our son. We are deeply saddened and in mourning. We are so very proud of Georgie - he always wanted to be a Royal Marine. Georgie loved the outdoors - fishing, shooting, paintballing - and was very close to his family. We miss him so much." Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Stickland Royal Marines, Commanding Officer, 42 Commando Royal Marines, said: "Marine Georgie Sparks was a quiet, understated professional. He lost his life fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with his comrades, covering their actions with his expert sniper skills." He added: "His loss has touched the entire Unit but no more so than the tight band of warriors that are the J Company 'Jesters'. "A man to be relied on, a man who had found his place and a man at the peak of his game, Marine Sparks had found a profession he loved and in which he excelled. He never looked back from winning the Commando Medal in training - an award for one who demonstrates Commando spirit, tenacity and courage in adversity above all others, something he lived by to his dying day." "The brotherhood of 42 Commando Royal Marines mourn him and remain resolute his loss will not be in vain. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. The tributes from his colleagues say it all." Did you know Georgie? Pay your own tribute by emailing a message to [email protected] (Photo: MOD) Defence Secretary pays tribute to "brave young men" 29th November 2008 DEFENCE Secretary John Hutton has paid tribute to Georgie Sparks and colleague Tony Evans describing them as "brave and highly professional young men". He said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of Marine Georgie Sparks and Marine Tony Evans. It is clear that both were brave and highly professional young men who died doing a job they were passionate about. "The loss of Marine Sparks and Marine Evans reminds us of the extreme challenges that our forces in Afghanistan face. My thoughts are with the families of these two men and all the many colleagues and friends they leave behind." Paying tribute to Georgie Sparks, Major Reggie Turner Royal Marines, Officer Commanding J Company Group, 42 Commando Royal Marines, said: "A personable, courteous and hard-working individual, his dedication and professionalism were obvious and it is these high standards which enabled him to qualify as a Sniper prior to deployment to Afghanistan." "Although young, he demonstrated maturity beyond his years in the field and could be relied upon to tackle all tasks with characteristic enthusiasm and dedication. Naturally quiet, he had a dry sense of humour and was a popular member of 2 Troop." "He lost his life whilst providing covering fire for his colleagues, selflessly putting himself at risk in order to help others. We will miss his confident but understated manner, his meticulous eye for detail and his evident passion for his specialisation." "Our thoughts and prayers are with Georgie's family and friends at this difficult time." Braeside students shine at debate 28th November 2008 A STUDENT at Braeside School, Buckhurst Hill, received a prize for posing the best question at Epping Forest Youth Council's Big Debate held at Woolston Manor, Chigwell. Panelists who answered the questions included Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing, Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles, district council leader Di Collins and council deputy chief executive Derek Macnab. Braeside students Gabrielle Compton and Alexandria Martin, who are members of the 17- strong youth council, both posed questions as did Shabeena Panesar. Alexandria was presented with an i-pod after council chairman John Knapman judged her question to have been the best of the evening. Gabrielle won the slogan competition with her logo 'Don't judge me by my hoodie' reproduced on the hoodies presented to all students asking questions. Braeside headteacher Gillian Haddon said: "Our girls were a credit to the school, and as always it was a pleasure to accompany them. This debate was a powerful event http://www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk/newsnov08.htm 01/01/2009 Everything Epping Forest Page 2 of 11 counteracting the popular opinion that young people are apathetic. The students there were engaged and concerned about the area and communities in which they live." Traveller sites issue under spotlight 28th November 2008 TWO public information meetings over the gypsy and travellers site consultation are being held this weekend. Sessions are at Thornwood Village Hall, Weald Hall Lane, between 11am and 2pm on Saturday (November 29) and at North Weald Village Hall between 10.30am and noon on Sunday (November 30). Epping Forest District Council has been told it must find 49 additional pitches by 2011. Several of the 27 sites across the district considered suitable are in the Epping and Thornwood area. Flats plan thrown out 28th November 2008 PLANS to demolish two houses and replace them with 23 flats have been rejected by district councillors. The scheme would have seen 113 and 115 Grange Crescent, in Chigwell, replaced with a three-storey L-shaped block of 20 two-bedroom and three one-bedroom flats. Resident Lee Taylor said: "The residents don't want this site and neither does the parish council." He told the area plans committee it was out of keeping with every property in Grange Crescent and added there were also issues surrounding overlooking, noise, privacy and parking. He added: "People will be able to see directly into my rear bedroom, conservatory and garden." Michael Johnson, the joint applicant with his brother, said they had taken a lot of time to get the application right. He said: "There are four houses 100ft away from the western boundary with an established tree screen. Everything has been designed so it is inward looking away from the residential properties." He said there would be improvements to parking and traffic movement and added: "We believe the building confirms to the Local Plan and Government guidelines and cannot be considered overdevelopment." An underground car park would accommodate 34 cars with additional areas for motorbikes and bicycles. Council planners said the development would "not appear overly conspicuous or out of keeping". However the scheme sparked objections from 24 households in Grange Crescent, the parish council and Chigwell Lawn Tennis Club. Councillor David Bateman told the meeting that residents were concerned about the height of the building, adding: "Several owners down there would be quite happy to see the site developed but they consider their best interests are for two storey rather than three." School shown as example to others 28th November 2008 AN Epping school has made dramatic progress from being in 'special measures' to being recognised as a 'good school'. St John's School, which was in special measures until February 2004 and went on to achieve recognition as a "good school" when Ofsted re-visited two years later, is now being highlighted as a leading example to other schools. Two HMI Inspectors later visited the Tower Road school and interviewed senior staff, students, parents and governors to establish how it had been able to so significantly transform itself from failing to good in such rapid time. Ofsted want to use the resulting report to celebrate St John's and a handful of other schools as "role-models" for others deemed to be failing or providing inadequate education, to provide a framework for future success. Headteacher George Yerosimou said: "The key to the school's dramatic improvements has been the result of a clear vision to succeed, communicated through strong leadership at all levels, a shared community identity of staff, students, parents and governors established through regular and effective communication and the ability of the school to constantly review and reflect on what needs to be done to sustain improvement." Free parking in council car parks 27th November 2008 PARKING is free in the district council car parks on Saturdays and Bank Holidays in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year.

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