Stebbing Scene Your Village — Your Magazine Edition No: 139 Autumn 2016 The end of a chapter - Mark Lanyon takes in the last harvest After three generations in which the Lanyon family have owned and worked much of the land around us, this was Mark’s last harvest. We are towards the end of the busiest time of year for farmers but, hopefully by the next issue, we’ll know more about what the new managers of the land are planning that might affect what we see when we walk the footpaths and by-ways around us. The Scene was very pleased to fund equipment for Little Harts, all the more so after their successful first few months. It is good to see more young families moving into the village, engaging with village organisations, and fund-raising to develop new provision and support for children and young parents in the village. More about Little Harts overleaf. This issue is bursting at the seams - with new contributions such as Julie Bull’s book review and the enigmatic Anastasia and Jonquil’s piece on local transport. We are missing our Eating Out page this time but, if you care to write a review of a good eating experience, please send it in. Richard Foot, Editor 1 Little Harts Parent & Toddler Group So here we are! We survived our first few sessions of our new, local toddler group - and what a positive response we have had! We kick off again in September with renewed energy and with quite a bit of excitement concerning what we hope to bring to the group during the new term ahead and, let's not forget, leading up to Christmas. We had a fantastic response from the Pub Quiz, kindly held at The White Hart. So much fun was had (not to mention a decent amount of money raised) that we hope to do it again during Easter time next year. The profit raised secures us a ‘home,’ in the shape of the village hall for the next few months. It also allows us to look at the needs of parents and carers, in and around the village, as well as the needs of the children. Watch this space for a Child Resuscitation workshop! Little Harts hopes to create a sustainable, happy environment where our youngsters can flourish and prosper alongside their parents and carers. This wish couldn't exist if it wasn't for those attending and contributing on a weekly basis; it is because of this I’d like to share some comments from these (very wonderful I think!) people… (Continued on page 3) 2 (Continued from page 2) “Little Harts Playgroup is a much needed local resource for both my 2 year old son and myself. He is given the opportunity to develop his personal, social and emotional skills as he 'plays' alongside others. He is developing relationships with children he will potentially go to school with and this will only make the transition smoother when he does start school. As for me, I just love the opportunity to meet with like-minded parents and carers and sharing 'motherhood' tales - good and bad! It's great to meet people in the local community and it shows what an inclusive and friendly village we live in.” - Nikki Munsun and Henry (aged 2). “I am a parent from another village and my one year old enjoys 'Little Harts' immensely! This friendly group is welcoming and thoughtful of any newcomer who pops in. My Monday mornings are far more exciting to look forward to, knowing that my son and I will meet, socialise and enjoy our time in this amazing community-based parent and toddler group in wonderful Stebbing. A truly great addition to the village!" – Karen Whitehouse and Dexter (aged 16 months). “Having one year old twins, even just leaving the house can be a challenge some days and I often worry how I will cope when I get to my destination. Stebbing toddler group has given me a safe, local space to take the boys. There are lots of extra pairs of hands to help and smiling faces to share the trials and tribulations of parenting with. I never thought I would look forward to Monday mornings so much; great friends, great fun and cake, what more could any parent ask for?" - Katie Flaxman, Jack and Oscar (aged 1 year). “Parents, carers, babies and toddlers all benefit in so many ways by attending Little Harts. Children learn to socialise and play. Adults attending have a relaxing, child friendly environment to make friends and gain support from others’ experiences. We are always looking for ideas which will interest adults and children alike and rely on our parents and carers to keep the activities stimulating and popular.” – Linda White, grandparent to Sienna. Thank you to all who attend Little Harts, it’s great to meet new people and to see the little people form new friendships. We hope to create a group of ‘Little Harts Helpers’ who can facilitate and contribute to new ideas to keep the group fresh and forward thinking. So if you are interested in helping in any way, do just give us a shout. We’d love to hear from you! Kulli Saran-Chandler 3 Offering great quality timber, garden furniture & fencing at competitive prices Open to the general public & trade Find us just off the roundabout between A120 Great Dunmow & Tesco 01371 876841/01371 734400 www.dunmowfencingsupplies 4 Stebbing Neighbourhood Plan Are you interested in the future development of Stebbing? Do you want to have your say? The Stebbing Neighbourhood Plan is being compiled by a working group of local residents and the Parish Council. It will establish a vision for the evolution and long-term sustainability of Stebbing Parish and the village. The Plan, once adopted, will set out a blueprint for the future of the parish and contain planning policies which will be used to determine planning applications locally. You should by now have received a copy of the Stebbing Neighbourhood Plan brochure through your letter box, explaining what the Plan is. You should also have received a questionnaire. This asks just three questions: What is it that you like most about living in Stebbing? What would you like to improve about Stebbing? What would be your top three priorities for the Neighbourhood Plan to address? It is important to the future of Stebbing that the residents have their say, so please make sure everyone in your household completes a questionnaire. If you haven’t received a copy, or you would like additional copies, they are available in the village shop. It can also be easily completed on line at our web site: www.stebbingneighbourhoodplan.co.uk We are hoping that the answers to these questions will provide the working group with the direction that the residents of Stebbing think is important. Based on the answers we receive, we will compile a more detailed questionnaire later in the process. Neighbourhood planning is a vital part of the Government's plans to help local communities play a much stronger role in the shaping of their area. For the first time, local people can create a Plan that allows them to develop planning policies that reflect the priorities of their area and have real legal weight. It results in policies on objectives for the area, infrastructure priorities, assets of community value, locations for preferred development - as well as a map outlining open spaces of community importance. The whole village will then decide at a referendum vote whether Uttlesford District Council should bring the Neighbourhood Plan into force in the District Plan. If you want to have your views included in the process, please make sure you complete and return the questionnaire. Thank you to those of you who have already completed the questionnaire. We will be at the Village Fete on Sunday 25th September to discuss the Neighbourhood Plan with you and this will also be the closing date for handing in the questionnaires. If you would like any further information, please call Robert James on 01371 855927 5 A Message From Our Vicar Dear friends, Over the last few weeks our nation has experienced a period of social and economic upheaval that is unprecedented, at least since World War II. At the end of June, the EU referendum result brought us face to face with a new era for Britain. It has been very unfortunate that the result has led to xenophobia and racism rearing their ugly heads again. I voted Remain but I believe in democracy and I don’t believe that my friends who voted Leave, did so because they are racist. At the same time, IS terrorist attacks on the continent have made us nervous and even suspicious. The murder of a priest at Mass in Rouen has drawn particular attention to the possibility of similar attacks here. I recently received two emails from senior church leaders. One was a link to a training video on how to cope with a gun attack in your church and the next was reassuring me that government sources indicate no such threat is imminent in our area! I saw a report on the news recently, telling the story of how some passengers had come to the aid of a victim of racist abuse on a train and had told the perpetrator that it was not acceptable. What struck me was, not so much the commendable and courageous behaviour of those passengers, but the fact that this was a news item; it should be a normal everyday occurrence that racism is shouted down, not something that happens unusually and is therefore felt to be newsworthy.