Everything Epping Forest Page 1 of 37 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 | Sport | Your News Views | Events - What's On Diary | Clubs - Organisations | Local Business Directory | Jobs | Food & Drink Tuesday, 1 May, 2012 News Archive click here Sport Archive click here Tell us your news... Publicise your event... Promote your business... Have your say... Buy copies of photos that appear here... email: [email protected] tel: David Jackman on 07710 447868 01/05/2012 Everything Epping Forest Page 2 of 37 What do you think? Have your say on the news articles that appear on this page. Email [email protected] or send your comments via Twitter - @eefnews Refurbished tennis courts officially opened 11.24am - 31st March 2012 A SPONGE cake in the shape of a tennis court was served up by Loughton Town Council to mark the official opening of refurbished tennis courts in Loughton. The courts on the Roding Valley recreation ground have been refurbished thanks to funding from Essex County Council's Big Society Fund. Local residents and tennis players were at the courts this morning (Saturday) to witness the official opening, and to take part in a family fun event which included junior/mini tennis and cardio tennis sessions with professional coach Matt Smith, the LTA's Coach of the Year 2011. A free draw was held to win a tennis racquet donated to Loughton Town Council by R & B Sports in Loughton High Road. The event was also supported by the Lawn Tennis Association and Avenue Tennis Club. The refurbishment cost £70,000 and includes the laying of a new free-draining asphalt surface, internal fencing to separate the courts and the addition of a multi-sports court offering five-a-side, basketball and a cricket practice wicket. A tennis court sponge cake was made to mark the official opening PICTURE 1 Loughton town councillors, council staff and local residents gather to mark the official opening of the refurbished tennis courts on the Roding Valley recreation ground PICTURE 2 Loughton town councillors with local youngsters at the official opening PICTURE 3 Local tennis players and local residents were among those at the official opening PICTURE 4 Loughton deputy mayor Stephen Pewsey cuts the cake PICTURE 5 (left to right) Alfie Ingleton, eight, Alfie Handley, five, and Ruby Routledge, eight, serve up the cake at the official opening PICTURE 6 Rory Brown, three, has a go at mini -tennis PICTURE 7 and PICTURE 8 MP takes up residents' road concerns 8.26am - 31st March 2012 EPPING Forest MP Eleanor Laing is taking up the case of a group of Buckhurst Hill residents who are calling for action to end years of problems with the road outside their homes. Residents of Loughton Way say they have endured a range of issues, including vibrations felt inside their homes because of the state of the road outside. They say the situation has worsened over the years, and they put the problem down to the poor state of the road surface with potholes and ridges. The residents claim that the vibrations are now causing cracks in their walls and ceilings. Concern has also been voiced about the speed of traffic using Loughton Way. Dominic Harris, one of the residents - who presented the 93- name petition to Mrs Laing at Buckhurst Way on Friday - said: "The residents require the road structure in Loughton Way to be given a complete overhaul and traffic calming measures put in place. "These will be cost effective for the county council as it will reduce the damage to the houses and the road structure. "Kings Avenue and Pudding Lane have had measures put in place and their roads are not used as frequently as Loughton Way. "If the district council intends to open a retail park at Debden then some money should be spent on the road infrastructure." Mrs Laing, who visited the road with local county councillor Valerie Metcalfe - who is also taking up the case with highways officials at Essex County Council - said: "I'm really worried about the situation in Loughton Way. It's very obvious that speeding traffic is causing a real danger. "While standing on the pavement I could feel the very strong vibrations every time a bus went passed. "I'm not surprised that the residents are concerned about damage to the foundations of their houses. "There have been several accidents caused by drivers losing control of their cars on the bend of the road and there is a real danger that the next accident could be really serious. "I will try to persuade Essex County Council that action needs to be taken now." Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing receives the petition from Loughton Way resident Dominic Harris click here VIDEO: Two rescued from crash 7.40am - 31st March 2012 FIRE crews took about an hour to free two people from their car following a three-vehicle collision in Loughton. Two Loughton fire crews were called to Rectory Lane at 7.50pm last night (Friday) and used hydraulic cutting equipment to cut the roof of the car in which the two people were trapped. The first casualty was released by crews by 8.40pm and the other by 9pm. Thanks to Joel Freeman (@joelfreedman on Twitter) for sending video footage of the crash scene to Everything Epping Forest. You can see the video here Hospice raffle raises over £32,000 2.44pm - 30th March 2012 THE second annual spring raffle organised by St Clare Hospice has exceeded all expectations by raising over £32,000. The winning tickets were picked by Stephen Drew, senior vice-principal at Passmores Academy, who had a starring role in the Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall documentary 01/05/2012 Everything Epping Forest Page 3 of 37 'Educating Essex' which featured the staff and students at the Harlow school. The first prize of £2,000 was won by Eric Marwood, from Sawbridgeworth - a former volunteer at the hospice. Delighted with his windfall, Mr Marwood said: "The hospice does such a good job and I know the benefits that the hospice gives to local families, not just for patients but also their relatives." Mr Drew, who also picked the lucky winners of £200 in M&S vouchers (second prize) and a Fortnum and Mason champagne and chocolates hamper, said: "The work that places like St Clare do is absolutely vital in supporting families at difficult times in their lives. They provide that calm support and atmosphere. "Organisations such as St Clare have such a vital part to play in our community." Michael Chapman, chairman of the trustees at St Clare Hospice, said: "I would like to thank everyone involved in organising the raffle and M&S who gave us the second prize. "It is important that these sort of events are as successful as ever, as even in times of financial crisis people still get ill and need our help and support. "I was pleased that Stephen from 'Educating Essex' was able to come to make the draw." West Hatch wins stock market competition 10.04am - 30th March 2012 A TEAM of economic students at West Hatch High School have won the Anglia Ruskin Stock Market Challenge after making a £72,000 profit in just one day. The five Year 10 students were competing against 19 other Essex schools in a mock-up of actual London Stock Exchange trading floor. The students were given an imaginary £20,000 and then had to make decisions on whether to buy or sell shares based on a constant stream of business news being broadcast over huge screens about ficticious companies. Neil Cunningham, Head of Business and Economics at the High Road school, said: "The day was a fantastic opportunity for the students to gain a real insight into the pressures of buying and selling shares, making decisions on when was the right time to sell so profits could be maximised and when to buy at the lowest prices." The majority of students taking part were Year 10 but the West Hatch team was up against teams of Year 12 and 13 students. The West Hatch team members - Max Carlstrom, Stephen Truong, Jade Kemp, Philip Houseley and Sameen Khan - each received a £15 book voucher, with the school receiving a trophy. Mr Cunningham said: "It was a fantastic achievement with all the students contributing to the overall success. "It was especially pleasing to see the students achieve the win by showing excellent team skills and a real drive and ambition to achieve their full potential." Jade Kemp won the prize for the best Media Analyst of the day. Her job was to critically analyse the constant news feeds being received and judge how they would impact on share prices. Dream charity to attend polo event 6.49pm - 29th March 2012 THE Dream Factory will be having a stand in the Family Fun Area at the Duke of Essex Polo event at Gaynes Park, Epping, on Saturday, July 14. Thousands of people, including a host of celebrities, traditionally attend the event where the Duke of Essex team take on international opponents for the Duke of Essex Trophy. As well as the polo, there is a Family Fun Day area featuring a wide range of stalls and attractions. Avril Mills, founder of The Dream Factory - which grants wishes to children and young adults with life-limiting conditions - said: "We are delighted to have been invited to have a stall in the Family Fun Day area at such a prestigious local event.