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THE LOCAL MAGAZINE FOR LOCAL PEOPLE - ISSUE 24, OCTOBER 2015
HAUNTED ESSEX Ghostly Goings On And Spooky Events
WHAT’S ON Event Listings From Ongar To Wanstead
LOCAL NEWS Keeping You Up To Date
FOOD REVIEW A Taster Of Thyme’s New Menu
WIN!
...a family ticket to Shriek Week at...
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ON THE COVER 12 Local News 20 Haunted Essex 45 Restaurant Review 52 What’s On 57 Competition Win a Family Ticket to Shriek Week
20 45 FASHION & BEAUTY 25 Gothic Fashion Trend 27 Dark Days 29 Winter Wedding Beauty Inspiration HEALTH & FITNESS 31 Winter Training COMMUNITY 8 Your Comments 17 Essex Police Update 49 Loughton Foodbank Charity feature 60 Local Landmark Editor: Darren Perry Email: Darren@essexcentralmagazine.co.uk Tel: 01992 283 568 Advertising: advertising@essexcentral magazine.co.uk Features Editor: Victoria Grace Journalist: Devon-Elizabeth Tabersham & Ben Sneath. Design: Sharon Butler-Felby @SketchDesign, Lauren Brown. Contributors: Victoria Robertson, Amanda Anastasiou, Dean Kramer, Elizabeth Abrahams. Publishers: 3 Blue Worldwide Ltd Facebook: EssexCentralMag Twitter: @EssexCentralMag
46,000 copies distributed to homes, businesses and station locations, along the Essex section of the Central Line and surrounding areas: South Woodford, Woodford, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell, Loughton, Debden, Abridge, Theydon Bois, Epping, North Weald, Ongar, Wanstead, Redbridge, Ilford, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Fairlop, Hainault, Grange Hill. Although every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, 3 Blue Worldwide Ltd take no responsibility for any errors, or the advertisements within this magazine.
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HOME & GARDEN 39 Your Dream Kitchen 41 October Gardening Guide TRAVEL 42 Crete Travel Feature FUN & GAMES 56 Puzzle Corner 62 Entering Fatherhood Without a Map
Hello,
Welcome to the October issue of Essex Central! This month we have featured some of the most ‘haunted’ places in Essex for you to visit this Halloween, and also included some spooky events happening locally. Our fashion pages have taken on a gothic theme and personal trainer Dean Kramer gives his advice on how to stay fit during the coming winter months, we have all our usual features including local news and a bumper events page plus the Dad’s Diary includes an exciting announcement. The featured charity is Loughton Foodbank, who are doing some great work in the local area, providing for many families in need. We also had the pleasure of reviewing Thyme restaurant in Waltham Abbey and urge you to give it a try too, it really was delicious! See you next month!
Darren Perry Editor/Owner
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YOUR COMMENTS
COMMUNITY
E
We love hearing from you!
ach month we trawl through our mailbox and social media sites to see what you are thinking. Here are a few of our favourite messages that we have received recently. Keep your comments coming in for a chance to win £20 if we pick you as our ‘Star Comment’ and £10 for the ‘Reader’s Photo’.
READER’S PHOTO
R A T S O
h my, what a lovely article about the deer of Epping Forest! We regularly take walks by the deer sanctuary and any glimpse of them is always welcome. They certainly are majestic creatures and just one example of why our local area is a wonderful place to live. I hope your article interests other people as much as it did myself, especially the younger readers. It is so important to raise awareness of these local animals, well done! Mrs Diane Mitchell
w’ rainbo well le b u er, Chig ‘Do n r u T Jon
Thanks! Do make sure you come by and take a look guys @DeliWoodford Monkey business at @EssexCentralMag this month, with your chance to see a unique safari with mountain gorillas. @AbbottsTravel My gardening guide for September is out now in @EssexCentralMag don’t forget to keep deadheading your #dahlias @gardeningbyvr
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Thank you for sharing our event. We had a great turn out and raised lots of cash for our charity! Simone Prior Unfortunately I don’t live in an area that gets Essex Central but I love reading it online. Is it possible to email it to me each month so that I don’t miss it? Leah Travis Congratulations to Lyndsey Jones (right) from Woodford who was the winner of The Bluebell Tasting Menu competition.
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CONTACT US
Address: Essex Central Magazine, Brickfield Business Centre, High Road, Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6TH @EssexCentralMag EssexCentralMag editor@essexcentral magazine.co.uk
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LOCAL NEWS
A short roundup of what’s been going on
WORK EXPERIENCE AT THE RITZ Two West Hatch High School students have recounted their work experience placement with a difference - after enjoying a two-week stint at The Ritz Hotel in London. Taking on the occasional role of bell boys, Danny Ballard and Red Walker undertook various roles, including carrying guests’ luggage and meeting with clients. Year 11 student Danny said: “I did many things during the two weeks such as going on jobs in central London and carrying out tasks in the hotel. “The Ritz is such a nice hotel and has a lovely team. I give special thanks to Michael De Cozar (head concierge) for such an experience and taking care of me.” Year 11 student Red Walker spent time working alongside the head concierge shadowing him at meetings.
Red added: “I was asked to perform a number of duties from posting letters to rooms to ordering expensive cakes, and the most important job - helping people with their luggage!” He added: “I enjoyed my time at The Ritz. The staff were very caring.”
Red Walker Danny Ballard (left) and tel, London Ho z Rit The at ‘on duty’
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BUCKHURST HILL PARISH COUNCIL ‘COMMUNITY CINEMA’
Buckhurst Hill Parish Council is screening two films at its next Community Cinema. ‘The Land Before Time’, a 1988 AmericanIrish animated adventure drama film, will be shown at Roding Valley Hall, Station Way, Buckhurst Hill, at 2.30pm on Saturday, October 17. The film features dinosaurs living in the prehistoric times. At 8pm there will be a screening of the 1996 American black comedy crime thriller Fargo. Admission to both screenings is free to local residents but tickets must be booked in advance. Donations for the Alzheimers Society will be gratefully received. Snacks and refreshments will be available to purchase. To reserve tickets, ring the parish council on 020 8498 9933 or email film@buckhursthillpc. gov.uk
WHAT’S NEW AT LA NOSTRA?
As the Epping restaurant approaches its first birthday we caught up with the owner Sharmila to see how the first year has gone and the plans for the future. “We’ve loved giving the people of Epping a taste of traditional authentic Italian food with our rustic meals and we are delighted with the feedback so far. We are now changing the opening hours and will open from 11:30am until 11:30 pm, 7 days a week. By moving away from the breakfasts this helps us focus more on the lunches and dinners that our customers want”. Inside the cosy two floor venue you immediately feel the warmth of the traditional wood fired oven at the back and the intimate setting gives you a feeling of leaving the high street and stepping into a beautiful Bistro nestled in the heart of the Italian countryside. The food is incredibly good value and Sharmila explains the new offers, “We’re offering lunch time pizzas and pastas for just £5.95, or £7.95 with a drink, ideal for locals to either eat in or take away, and of course all of our pizzas are freshly cooked in the wood oven by our head chef who has over 15 years experience cooking authentic Italian food.” 168 High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4AQ Tel: 01992 572 995 www.lanostrarestaurants.co.uk
ST CLARE WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF PATIENT CARE
Ensuring the services provided by St Clare Hospice are “beacons of specialist, person-centred care” is the mission of our new Director of Patient Care. Philip Ball joins the Hastingwood-based hospice from Sue Ryder’s Clinical Quality Team, having run the charity’s Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough since 2009. Having previously worked in the retail and catering industries, Philip embarked upon a career in healthcare in 1978 after a friend at work said she thought he would make a good nurse. “I trained in Edgware and almost immediately recognised working with those nearing the end of life was what I wanted to do,” he said. “With a view to working in a hospice at some point, I began my nursing in general hospitals, including Edgware, Milton Keynes and the Luton and Dunstable, until eventually the opportunity arose to join a hospice team, moving to Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes in 1991. “Since then I have worked in almost every role, from staff nurse to Inpatient Unit manager, as well as setting up a hospital palliative care team at Northampton General Hospital in 1993.” The married dad-of-two, who is a special advisor to the Care Quality Commission, said he believes enabling those in our care to flourish even as their lives are coming to a close is at the heart of the role St Clare plays in the journey faced by those with a terminal or life-limiting illness. “The challenges we face are about being ready to embrace opportunities, and recognising how transferable our specialist skills and knowledge
are,” he said. “In future, St Clare will be heading towards a bigger role in the wider community and we will need to continue our efforts to reach those who need support in places that are familiar and safe to them.” Philip joins St Clare following the departure of his predecessor Beth Burton, who has taken a post as the manager of a nursing home in Shenfield where she will be using her clinical expertise to set up a nursing wing specially for palliative patients.
New Director of Patien
t Care Philip Ball
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,
LOCAL NEWS
Sophie chez, Ellie Marshall, (left to right) Juan San Form Lee Harris th Six of ad He and Humphreys
RODING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SPEAK OF “EXTRA BOOST” OF HAVING OWN SIXTH FORM Students at Roding Valley High School have been speaking of the “great boost” their education has received now that they can undertake their A-level studies at the school. Roding Valley High School with Epping St John’s School, Debden Park High School in Loughton and King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy in Waltham Abbey form the Epping Forest District Sixth Form Consortium. Roding Valley has some 55 Sixth Form students who can use their own Sixth Form common room for their private time and studies. Lee Harris, the school’s Head of Sixth Form, said: “We’ve got very small classes which means the students are enriched. They get to have a good value on their A-level lessons. “Small classes mean there is good questioning, enabling teachers to assess deeper learning. Furthermore, the small classes offer teachers the capacity of building one-to-ones and tailored progress monitoring, all of which will help us secure the rapid progress for students.” Each of the Consortium schools specialises in certain subjects with students moving between
schools for some of their lessons. Mr Harris added: “The new Sixth Form is an exciting time for everyone. The Sixth Form at Roding Valley will be the same as Year 11 in some respects - in terms of normal high expectations, strong academic monitoring on progress, outstanding teaching and a range of successful Teaching and Learning strategies to encourage deep learning and engagement. “However the Sixth Form will be different in other respects as there will be more opportunities for leadership and volunteering and focussed mentoring to prepare students for the next step, whether it is employment or university.” Continuity of teaching staff is one of the benefits highlighted by the students as being plus factors for the new Sixth Form arrangements. Juan Sanchez is studying Psychology, Media Studies, French, English Literature and Spanish. He said: “We’ve established a relationship with the teachers already. It gives me that extra boost because you get more confident with the teachers.” Roding Valley High School, Alderton Hill, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3JA
EPPING ST JOHN’S STUDENTS RECEIVE EPPING IN BLOOM AWARDS Two Epping St John’s School students have received awards for their contributions to the Epping in Bloom initiative. Both pupils received awards from Epping mayor Michael Wright at the Epping in Bloom presentations held at Epping Hall. Year 8 student Sydney Hayden, 12, received an award for designing the school’s floral display for one of the raised flower beds at the Tower Road green. Her creation included an ornamental deer. She said: “I’m proud to have won. I had the deer in it because the deer is on the town sign. I chose red, white and blue (flowers) because they are on the Union flag.”
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Year 8 student Bradley Jay, 12, won the prize for the flower best water bottle. He said: “I’m really surprised that I won. I didn’t think that I would, but I did! “It was a cubic flower, bright pink with a little yellow scrunched up piece of paper in the middle.” The Epping in Bloom group includes members of Epping Horticultural Society, local Sydney Hayden receiv gardening expert volunteers and es her Epping in Bloom award from town council representatives. Epping mayor Michae l Wright Epping in Bloom chairman schools. Victoria Robertson said: “The “Congratulations to all of the standard was extremely high and winners whose efforts have helped we found it really hard to choose bring colour to Epping.” the winners for each of the local
and Luke O’Rourke (left) Year 9 rugby players land World Cup winner Eng h wit g slin Go e Jak Jason Leonard
RUGBY WORLD CUP FEVER HITS DAVENANT FOUNDATION SCHOOL
Davenant Foundation School’s Year 9 rugby team had their photograph taken with The Webb Ellis Cup when they played - and beat Woodford RFC U14s 28-5 in an exhibition match. The Webb Ellis Cup will be
presented to the winners of the Rugby World Cup. Excellent performances came from Davenant try scorers Samson Adejimi, Kyle Beeton and Man of the Match Daniel Sacks. The same Davenant team then
The Year 9 Rugby tea m with the Webb Ellis Cu p
took part in a 10s tournament at New Hall School, Chelmsford. After winning the group stages, they narrowly missed out to Robert Clack losing in extra time in the semi-final.
EPPING FOREST MP ELEANOR LAING CONGRATULATES LOUGHTON MUSIC ACADEMY ON ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY
Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing visited Loughton Music to be part of over these years the Loughton Music Academy to congratulate staff on their tenth anniversary. Academy has been the most rewarding. Mrs Laing joined staff for a cake-cutting and to toast “I have watched students grow up with us, some the Academy which offers a range of tuition on various who have been with us the whole ten years, watching instruments as well as singing and languages. them develop their musical skills and confidence and I Loughton Music Academy currently has 500 am proud to have been part of their journey. students of all ages on its books, and a 100-strong “It was a great privilege to meet Eleanor at our school waiting list. and we are so very grateful for her kind words and support. Two students recently auditioned for the next series “We will aim to continue to be at the forefront of of the BBC show The Voice. music education in Essex.” The Academy offers tuition on a range of instruments - strings, woodwind, brass, piano, guitar and drums as well as singing, and language courses in Spanish, Mandarin, French, Italian, German and English as a foreign language. Mrs Laing, who is a Loughton Music Academy Ambassador, said: “I’m really impressed by all that Cliff and his colleagues have achieved at Loughton Music Academy. “The Academy is absolutely at the cutting edge of new technology and it is wonderful that local people, especially young people, have the chance to develop their musical talents in Loughton and at the Academy’s new premises in Buckhurst Hill. “I congratulate them most sincerely on their tenth anniversary.” During her visit Mrs Laing played the drums, and a piano once used by Queen legend Freddie Mercury during his recording sessions. Mrs Laing said: “I was totally overwhelmed by having the chance to sit and play Freddie Mercury’s piano. It Eleanor Laing (front) with Sar a Shevlin, Rebecca Dim certainly adds a touch of celebrity to the Academy.” oline, Abby Bu she ll and Cliff Cooper (left to righ Loughton Music Academy director Cliff Cooper t) said: “Of all the projects I have been lucky enough
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COMMUNITY
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L
ast month, thousands of new students began their studies in Essex. Many students will be away from home for the first time and may find it difficult to adapt to the lifestyle changes of a new environment and new circumstances. During Freshers, Essex Police is helping students avoid becoming victims of crime with the launch of our student safety campaign. Whether you’re starting university or college, or are returning to Essex for the new term, you’ll undoubtedly bring with you many valuable possessions that are appealing to thieves. Televisions, laptops, games consoles and mobile phones are all attractive targets if the right steps aren’t taken to secure them. We know money can be tight but you might want to think about insuring your belongings as well as following this advice: 4 Keep a list of the make, model and serial numbers of electronic
items to help police track them down should they be stolen. 4 Mark valuable property like ipods, cameras and laptops with the initials of your university and your student number using a UV pen. This unique reference will make it harder for any burglar to sell on stolen goods and can help police return items to you. 4 Don’t put temptation in the way of housemates and visitors by leaving money, cash cards, car keys, ipods, iphones and laptops laying around on show. 4 Shred documents with personal details on like bank statements and receipts before throwing them away to help prevent identity theft.
4 If you are carrying a laptop to and from university, leave the laptop case at home and think about carrying it in a less obvious bag like a sports holdall. 4 Register your mobile phone by dialling *#06#. This will give you a unique number known as an IMEI number which you can then register at www.immobilise.com. If your phone is then lost or stolen, a quick call to the immobilise hotline (08701 123 123) will result in your handset being blocked on all the networks. For more information please visit www.essex.police.uk/be_safe/ university or follow our Twitter account @EssexPoliceUK.
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ESSEX HAUNTED
With over 14,000 listed buildings and connections with some of the bloodiest episodes of British history, could Essex officially be the UK epicentre for all things spectral?
Hedingham Castle
F
rom Boudicca battling the Romans to Wat Tyler and the Peasants’ Revolt, the bloody lives of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I to the murderous Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins and so many more, Essex is a county rich in gory, fascinating history and legend. And when better to explore this exciting heritage and re-tell the tales of the past than Halloween? Nearly 900 years of history are etched into the stones of Hedingham Castle, with the Norman keep home to several ghosts. Queen Elizabeth I was actually a guest at Hedingham Castle and she famously rallied her troops at Tilbury
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Canewdon
Fort, as they prepared for the arrival of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Her ghost is said to appear there but it is nearby Coalhouse Fort that is said to be even more haunted and every bit as fascinating. Eerie voices, the laughter of children and the sound of heavy objects being dragged have been reported there. Even the name, Mistley Towers, has a gothic ring to it. The twin towers themselves are all that is left of a Georgian church, surrounded by gravestones. Just over a century before they were built, the bloody reign of terror of self-styled ‘Witch Finder General’, Matthew Hopkins rampaged across England, but was centred in nearby Manningtree. It is
Borley Rectory
thought Hopkins and his assistant ‘Witch Pricker, John Sterne’ sent up to 400 souls to their deaths - 19 of whom were hung at Chelmsford in a single day. Hopkins retired to Manningtree and died there. The man whom proclaimed to have “The Devil’s own list of all the witches of England” was buried at Mistley Heath and his spectre is said to appear at full moon by the village pond, a scene of several of his witch trials. Britain’s oldest recorded town, Colchester, naturally has a wealth of tales - real or imagined - of spirits that haven’t managed to pass over to the other side. Colchester Castle is an ideal starting place
Spooky Events If you’re not feeling brave enough for visiting Essex’s most haunted venues this Halloween then try these family friendly local events.
SPOOKY SECRET ISLAND
Saturday 24th Sunday 1st November Halloween gets horribly spooky on the Secret Island during Autumn Half ls Term week Royal Gunpowder Mil when Dr Gore takes to the Mad Lab for a gruesome series of experiments. An array of frightfully fantastic activities will be available for all ages. Try hat and mask making to transform yourself into a witch, monster or other spooky character for the day. Be prepared to get messy with some ooey-gooey monster slime making, freaky monster skin, and make gruesome discoveries in the feely boxes. www.royalgunpowdermills.com
STEAM & SCREAM
Mistley Towers
to let your imagination run as wild as a Banshee’s hair. It is Europe’s largest Norman keep and was built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius. The apparition of a cat is said to haunt the grounds; dead felines were often interred by Romans in the foundations of their buildings for luck. More dramatically, there is the sad story of James Parnell. He was a Quaker imprisoned for his beliefs and died in the castle’s prison in 1656. Legend has it that every time he wished to eat, his captors would make him climb a rope. One day, too weak to hang on, the 20-year old fell to his death and haunts the dungeon to this day. The village of Canewdon is known
Friday 30th Saturday 31st October Visit the Epping Ongar Railway Colchester Castle this Halloween for their as ‘The Village where spooktacular Witchfinders feared event that to tread,’ has literally dozens of ghost stories Epping Ongar Railway is back by popular and most of them demand. The heritage trains centre on the church. Legend has it will be decorated in true if you run anti-clockwise round it on Halloween style. There will Halloween, the Devil will appear. be treats for all the kids, a And of course, no self-respecting fancy dress competition and ghost hunter could possibly great entertainment consider visiting Essex without on board. Be braving a trip to the site of widely prepared to proclaimed ‘Most Haunted House be scared on in England’, Borley Rectory. The Victorian mansion was destroyed by this unique full-size Ghost a fire in 1938 and later demolished Train. Advanced but its reputation lives on. booking is essential. Find out more at www.eorailway.co.uk www.visitessex.com
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Sophie Vowden BSc (Hons) Sports Therapist MSST. Station Road Wellness Centre, 12 Station Road, Epping, Essex CM16 4HN T: 07904 116 757 ● E: sophie@svsportstherapy.com ● W: www.svsportstherapy.com facebook: facebook.com/svsportstherapy ● twitter: @svsportstherapy
Elachi Tel:01992 57 88 33 / 01992 56 16 10 Here at Elachi we pride ourselves on producing a 200 year old style of cooking called ‘Dum Pukt Indian Cusine’ and until now only a few places in the world were able to serve it. Created by the Moghuls and dubbed the mythical ‘Fit for Kings’ style food.
We are also a previous runner up for the ‘National Curry Chef’ award!
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Please give this advert to us at time of picking up order or to our delivery driver. Valid until 1st November 2015
Le ath er
&
FASHION
We ave Bel t £18 Burton
BEAUTY
F& F
Tesco Piped Tailored Shirt £9 ey
DARK DAYS
graph Suit was £199 now £49 Auto Ma rk
Grey Black Check Skinny Fit Trouser £35 Next
J by Jasper Conran Black Leather Holdall Bag now £77.50 Debenhams
Goth fashion trend for men By Elizabeth Abrahams
s & Spencer
Fellas, (yes you too), it’s time to embrace this season’s darkest of trends. Don’t let thoughts of Marilyn Manson scare you off! Fashion houses such as Alexander McQueen sent their sullen goth models down the AW15 runway in tailored, jacquard blazers and pinstriped suits, bringing a modern feel to one of fashion’s most decadent trends. Not sure where to begin? Have no fear! Take a look at ten different ways you can easily incorporate the trend into your new-season wardrobe.
an m
Band Ring £7.50 Top dge i R
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Label J Floral All O
Finish smart ensembles on a contemporary note with House of Fraser’s New and Lingwood brand’s teal tie. It’s made from pure silk and detailed with a photographic floral-jacquard print, P r int T-Shirt £1 6 Jacamo a sure way to add a luxurious finish to your tie portfolio.
ve r
Topman’s Ridge Band Ring is made from a silver-tone stainless-steel metal, and will effortlessly work a tough-luxe goth feel into your newseason accessories.
t ex N 5
in &L New use o Ho £40
5 Black Buckle Zip Boot £ by Black Rapido Der Shoe Turn to Men’s at Dune’s Rapido almond-toe s£ Derby shoes for your new-season staple 13 9M shoe. Made from classic black leather en’s a t Dune with a lizard-print finish, they are the epitome of the gothic trend and will add a tough-luxe edge to any smart or casual ensemble.
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T 020 3581 8727 M 07726 494821 E isabel.moreno@hotmail.co.uk A Marlborough Centre, Suite 6/7, 96 George Lane E18 1AD
We specialise in: mixed race, Caribbean and European hair. We offer our clients a range of different services with L'oreal MIZANI suitable for any hair texture: wash/blow dry, cut, colour, relaxer, high light and low light. We also offer KERATIN treatment and Extension services. Consultation are FREE so book now!!
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&
FASHION
WINTER WEDDI N G BEAUTY INSPIRATION
BEAUTY
Top 5 make-up trends for winter brides.
ROSEBUD LIPS
It’s always attractive to see a super pretty kissable pout, especially when all eyes are on you. Rosebud lips give a natural but enticing look with subtle nude and dusty pink hues. Apply one coat, and then dust on some pressed powder in the centre to slightly highlight the colour. You can also add gloss to the centre only to give an extra pouty look. For a truly classic bridal look, a rose pout with minimal eye makeup and tousled hair is on point.
CAT EYES
METALLIC
I know what you are thinking, my wedding day is not the day to start acting super trendy and trying out new looks, however, if you want to be brave and ‘wow’ your guests with something sparkly this time of year then give metallic a go. You can keep your make up plain but add a metallic lip or eye to jazz up your look. I would suggest having your hair up with this look so you can really sparkle and the focus can be on your make-up.
LOW KEY
Feline flicks are a massive trend on catwalks this season. You could say they are classic but definitely not dated, you get a slick look that comes back into fashion time and time again. If you want to add a little sass to your wedding look, this is the way to go. Team up with some false eyelashes to go with your cat eye, this ensures your eye make-up looks fresh all day. Make sure you hire a make-up artist or someone who knows what they are doing - there’s nothing worse than wonky false lashes!
Although you’re a low key kind of lady that doesn’t mean that it’s taken your make-up artist 10 minutes to achieve this low key look. A light shadow is sometimes all you need to brighten the eyes but for most brides the most important part is
to have completely flawless skin, which can take a while to achieve. If you have dry skin, the winter will only make it worse so a couple of months before the big day, keep your skin hydrated and moisturise twice a day. If you don’t wear much make-up every day, your wedding day is not the time to pile it on. Just make sure your skin is flawless and your lips are nude but hydrated. You also may want to invest in semi permanent lashes for definition.
GLAMOUR QUEEN
I absolutely love this old Hollywood beauty vibe. The tumbling curls, the red stained lips and the voluminous lashes - it’s a look that’ll stand the test of time. Get in tune with the season’s colours around you. Deep, dark berry reds look beautiful in a snowy setting. Team with a low-side parting hair do for maximum glamour and the great thing about this look is it goes wonderfully with paler skin tones so ditch that fake tan! By Amanda Anastasiou If you would like to have your hair, nails or make up done by Amanda, please visit www. Amanda finessesalon.co.uk Anastasi ou
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precise angles to gradually draw apart the vertebrae surrounding a targeted disc. I suffered with excruciating back pain and sciatica for years. After IDD Therapy I can now get a good night’s sleep without constantly waking with the pain. I would recommend it to anyone who is suffering like I did. IDD patient, Dominyk Mackevic
NOW AVAILABLE
Over 36,000 treatments carried out in the UK
IN WOODFORD
BE FREE FROM BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA AT LAST
SUFFERING WITH BACK PAIN? TRIED MANUAL TREATMENTS? IDD THERAPY IS FOR YOU. IDD Therapy is the targeted disc treatment for sufferers of back pain, neck pain and related symptoms such as sciatica. In clinics nationwide, this non-invasive option helps to bridge the gap between ‘hands-on’ treatments and surgery. What is IDD Therapy? Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Therapy is a non-invasive, targeted disc treatment for unresolved back pain, neck pain and associated symptoms such as arm pain and leg pain (sciatica). Available through a network of spinal disc specialists across the UK, IDD Therapy delivers a precise and more consistent treatment than is possible with the hands alone or with traditional mechanical methods like traction.
What does the programme involve? You will be fully assessed before undergoing treatment; this includes a review of a recent MRI or suitable scan.
How does IDD Therapy work? IDD Therapy uses gentle pulling forces to distract (draw apart) specific spinal segments where discs are damaged or bulging, removing pressure and irritation from targeted discs and any trapped nerves. Patients have a structured programme of regular IDD Therapy sessions which allows their body to adapt to treatment whilst progressively relieving pain and improving movement.
Treatment is gentle and safe. Sessions begin with some Thermedic heat therapy on the area to be treated, warming up the muscles and ligaments. You will remain fully clothed throughout treatment and be fitted with a soft, ergonomic harness for comfort and support. The machine tilts upright, allowing you to step on from the standing position without pain or difficulty. Once you are comfortably harnessed, computer-controlled pulling forces are gently applied at
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In the past, slipped disc patients often had to consider invasive options if manual treatments couldn’t get them better. Now with IDD Therapy, these patients have a very good chance of becoming pain-free
You will feel totally relaxed during the 25 minute session on the SPINA machine. Afterwards, some cold therapy is applied to minimise any temporary soreness which may be caused by muscles being worked in a new way. Gentle exercise and activity are gradually introduced as treatment progresses - essential for long-term pain relief. Who can benefit from IDD Therapy? Typical candidates for IDD Therapy are people who have had back pain, neck pain or sciatica for some time and have not responded to manual therapy and exercise. Reasons to choose IDD Therapy • Your current treatment is not working • You want to stop taking painkillers • You are seeking long-term pain relief • You want to return to normal activities If you have unresolved back pain or neck pain and need help, call Atkins Physiotherapy Consultants on 020 8504 0478 or visit: www.AtkinsPhysio.com
Neil Velleman Clinical Director, Atkins Physiotherapy Consultants
154 High Road Woodford Green, IG8 9EF *Spinal Disc Specialists* *Friendly, Personal Approach* *On-site Parking Available*
IF YOU ARE SUFFERING WITH UNRESOLVED BACK PAIN, NECK PAIN OR SCIATICA, CONTACT ATKINS PHYSIOTHERAPY CONSULTANTS NOW
Call 020 8504 0478 or visit www.AtkinsPhysio.com
FREE 15 min Consultation
H E A LT H FITNESS
&
WINTER
TRAINING A change of season doesn’t mean you can’t keep fit!
W
inter is coming which brings darker mornings, dark evenings and a change of weather. During this time a lot of people might start to drop off doing exercise, but exercise should be taken all year not just a seasonal thing. Especially if you’ve got an event planned next year, for example the London Marathon which lets people know if they have a place in October, you have to train throughout the winter to make sure you can safely run the distance the following year. We all know the health benefits from doing physical activity - lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, helps improve mental health are just a few of the key benefits. So why should we work hard for half the year then stop and go back to the start? If you keep up exercising during the winter period where we all eat way too much and pig out, then at the start the New Year when everyone plans their resolution goals to lose weight or fit into that
pair of skinny jeans you would already be there or nearly there. There are many ways we can still stay fit and healthy during winter, and I strongly encourage it. Here are a few suggestions: H Hire a personal trainer like myself who specialises in different areas of fitness such as HIIT Training, Weight/Fat Loss, Toning and Sports Specific training. I have my own equipment and I can train you in your own home, outdoors, one on one or with a friend. I can also offer nutritional advice to supplement your training. H Try different classes or activities at your gym or local leisure centre. They are a great way to meet new people, so try something new and keep yourself motivated. H Find a local running club or get a group of people together to run, check out Run England website for local clubs. H Join a local gym, some of them start to put out offers for winter or if not buy some home gym equipment to do some workouts at home.
H Short for time? How about doing a home circuit or some HIIT training? Home circuits could be something as simple as 10 push ups, 10 squats, 10 crunches, 10 mountain climbers, 10 jumping jacks, 10 lunges then increase the number as you go along or set it as 1 minute for each exercise, rest for 30 seconds and do the circuit 3 times. As for HIIT Training, it’s short bursts of speed workouts with minimal active recovery/rest. For example, 45 seconds intense work with 15 seconds rest/active recovery. A rule of thumb is that one minute of vigorous activity provides the same health benefits as two minutes of moderate activity. By Dean Kramer Personal Trainer www.dean kramer.co.uk Tel: 07447 931788 Dean Kramer
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Carl FRESHWATER www.
.co.uk
OPENING SOON Made to measure quality picture framing, Epping Framers, formally Gallery Framers, Situated in Lathams in Epping We offer a Free Collection and delivery service within a 3 mile radius, Including a home visit service where you can look at our sample mouldings and choose something that compliments your home.
Unit E Eppingdene, Ivy Chimn Tel: 01992 577456 32 
ESSEX CENTRAL
Mobile: 07780 6774
Bespoke Quality Cabinet Makers
R
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Carl Freshwater Carvings We create personalised carved wooden signs & Memorial Plaques we offer a selection of woods in a choice of finishes Come and visit us at Epping Christmas Market on Friday 4 December from 12 noon to 8pm
neys Road, Epping CM16 4EL
456
Email: Carlfreshwater@aol.com ESSEX CENTRAL 
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KITCHEN YOUR DREAM
Thinking of buying a Kitchen? Think wisely, there are so many things to consider.
BUDGET
Starting with a budget in mind would help you and your kitchen designer to create a kitchen that suits your purse. Buying quality is key. Well-made kitchens will always look good and last.
USE
Think about what you want to do in the Kitchen. Do you want to use it as a family room, just for cooking, or maybe you want one that has the wow factor? Or even all of the above! This information helps the kitchen designers to advise you on the best kitchens and appliances that would suit your needs. If you have animals and/or small children take that into
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consideration also: scratches, paws and small hand marks mean a Hi-gloss kitchen may not be the answer - a painted kitchen would suit better. Installing mod-cons can make life easier. For example a hot water tap - some people can’t live without them now. Make tea from the tap - what’s happening to the world!
STYLE
The Shaker style kitchen never dates and the good thing about kitchens nowadays is you can get painted ones that you can decorate yourself if you want to change colour at a later date, but remember it’s all about quality because quality will last the test of time.
HOME GARDEN
&
Real wood island with contrasting granite worktop on units
Shaker style kitchen
Corner carousel unit
Handless kitchens are on trend at the moment giving you a sleek contemporary look and curved units are also in style and give a wow factor to any kitchen. Led lighting brings any kitchen to life. Strip lights along a handless kitchen looks fantastic. Plinth lights look great too and glass splash backs are so in at the moment reflecting the light it brings the whole room to life, it’s all about the lighting! Quartz worktops are still a favourite and you can choose from so many different colours and beautiful under-mounted sinks in a variety of colours look stunning, they are easy to clean and look no splash marks!
larder is the ideal solution for any modern fitted kitchen. All your groceries are easily seen and can be accessed from both sides so you never forgot anything being left in the back of the cupboard. A swivel larder unit has all the advantages of the pull out larder but the swing out larder glides out and swings 90 degrees left or right giving even better access. Make sure you include units that allow for storage of taller items also. You could think about having extra tall wall units which go to the ceiling, this will do two things - create more space and lose the wasted space above wall units that normally collects dust!
COLOUR Choosing two different colours, for example deep colours on the base units and lighter colours on wall and tall units can create a beautiful modern look. Islands can be colour co-ordinated too. Also choosing a real wood worktop on the island area only and having quartz or granite on the units looks stunning. Matching your worktop colours with flooring will look like you have employed an interior designer.
SUPPLIER
STORAGE
Make the best out of storage space that sometimes goes unused. A cantilever corner carousel eliminates unnecessary lifting, bending or reaching. A pull out
When investing in a new kitchen it is important to choose a supplier who can manage the project from start to finish, from the design process right through to fitting. Harrisons Kitchens is a family run business with 30 years experience in the kitchen industry and can work with you throughout your experience, giving advice and support to create your dream kitchen. It’s all about making your kitchen stand out from the rest. It’s your individual choices that make a difference. Speak to a consultant at Harrisons Kitchens for ideas. Harrisons Kitchens, 21 Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1BZ. www.harrisonskitchens.co.uk Tel: 01992 760 500
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Inspirational kitchen designs, offering a range of traditional and contemporary kitchens to suit all tastes and budgets group
Abbey Group are specialists in creating, repairing and restoring quality furniture and wood surfaces to the highest standard. From antique to modern we can repair, strip, re-spray, polish, wax, upholster and bring woodwork back to life.
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Estimates
HOME
“The colourful autumn displays will mainly come from leaves.”
GARDEN
&
PESTS AND DISEASE
GARDENING Epping Forest
on Victoria Roberts
T
Moles are small mammals which live underground and dig a network of tunnels through the soil. They feed on insects, worms and other small invertebrates. Look out for mole hills - fresh upturned soil on your lawn or within your borders. Moles can be deterred by the unpleasant smell of moth balls which can be pushed into the mole tunnels.
WITH VICTORIA ROBERTSON
A seasonal guide to help you get the most out of your garden.
his month you will begin to see some spectacular transformation in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows. There will still be some warm bright days ahead for us although the mornings are usually quite cold and crisp. The colourful autumn displays will mainly come from leaves. The greens, orange, red, purple, and yellow ones will really help to brighten up even the dullest of days. Horse chestnut trees last remaining conkers will now drop to the ground, sloes will begin to stand out prominently on their spikey branches of the blackthorn, apples are now ready to harvest and many people will be enjoying pumpkin carving too. In flower this month is
the wonderful perennial wallflower, Erysimum ‘Bowles Mauve’, which is everybody’s favourite. Chinese Lantern Physalis alkekengi warm up borders and pots with a red and orange glow. Now is the time to begin
Chinese Lantern Physalis alkekengi
regularly raking off any leaf matter from your lawn if you have one. This will also help to break up any thatch that you may have too. If you have a pond keep it free from leaves! This will help prevent it
turning too acidic and will help to stop the growth of algae in spring. Once you have removed any dead plant material and fallen leaves you should place them in a heap by the pond for a few hours so any wildlife can return to your pond. After cleaning why not place a net over the pond that will help collect the leaves. Create a colourful entrance outside your front door by planting up pots and winter hanging baskets. Choose plants such as heathers, pansies, primroses, dwarf conifers and dwarf hebes. By amenity horticulturalist & gardening committee member of Copped Hall & Epping Horticultural Society & Chairman of Epping in Bloom, Victoria Robertson
WILDLIFE WATCH
Magpies are a large garden bird that will often scare away other garden birds and will dominate bird tables. The main garden damage is done to the lawn where they usually create holes while looking for worms. It is impossible to keep magpies out of the garden but to give other garden birds a chance to feed, especially throughout the winter months, put up more hanging bird feeders.
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140 Hermon Hill, South Woodford, London, E18 1QH
621 Garra� Lane, Wandsworth, London, SW18 4SX
Phone: 0208 530 7555 Fax: 0208 530 8844
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Bathroom sales starts 26th Sept un�l 1st Novemenber FREEPHONE 0800 055 6450
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020 8524 8438 The Green, Chingford, London E4 7EL Table7@hotmail.co.uk
NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS
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Table7@hotmail.co.uk ESSEX CENTRAL
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CRETE THE CRADLE OF EARLY CIVILIZATION
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TRAVEL CRETE
This month Abbotts Travel have teamed up with GP Associates, who represent some of the world’s best destinations, and provide expert advice on crafting the perfect holiday.
W
here better than the largest of the Greek islands - a place of unique fascination, fuelling painters, poets, warrior and thinkers. They were inspired by the magnificent scenery and distinctive character of its people. Their legacy is unrivalled and it seeps into the stone of the Minoan palaces, Byzantine churches and Venetian castles. Crete’s landscape is a combination of rugged mountains, flowery meadows, vineyards, orange groves, forgotten ruins and isolated chapels. But wherever you wander, you will always be in sight of the gleaming blue sea with its lovely beaches, bays and charming fishing villages. Being the most southerly outpost of Europe, Crete has a mild and exceptionally dry climate with a prevailing northerly wind, the “meltemi”, which brings a cool breeze on those warm summer days. Abbotts’ three chosen properties - Elounda Mare, Porto Elounda and Elounda Peninsula - are owned by the same family and situated in the Aghios Nikolaos region. This is on the north east coast of the island overlooking the beautiful Bay of Mirabello. A glorious sandy beach sits on the doorstep, with shops, bars and restaurants just 2 km away in the village of Elounda.
ELOUNDA MARE
The Elounda Mare hotel was the first hotel entirely owned by the Family of Spyros and Eliana Kokotos, which opened in 1982, at a time when they already had three children: Fotis, Elias, and Marina. It was the first hotel in the
Mediterranean that had private pools at each and every one of its numerous bungalows, a concept that soon became somewhat of a norm for top-class resorts. Maintaining its character of a traditional hospitality establishment of the most cultured kind, the Elounda Mare Hotel encompasses all the distinctive elements that allowed it to become the first Greek hotel to enter the prestigious association of Relais & Chateaux in 1987: charm, calm, character, cuisine and courtesy - the now famous “5 Cs”.
PORTO ELOUNDA
The Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort was the second hotel that the Kokotos family developed in Elounda, encompassing some of the latest trends to emerge in the international luxury market, and including the first golf course on the island of Crete, as well as the first hotel building in the Mediterranean with long shared pools for its rooms. An ideal resort for families, children are greeted warmly with a welcome gift on arrival and the connecting rooms and suites are well appointed and all have stunning sea views. Porto Elounda has an excellent children’s club - the ‘Kid’s Ark’, two children’s pools, and a wide range of activities including acting, cooking, games and garden cultivation all designed to give the children an insight into the Greek culture. Children will love the return of the Arsenal Soccer School Camp at Porto Elounda and there is a dance school. From this year, the multi-awarded Six Senses Spa will have a ‘junior-make-up’ day, a
‘healthy-hand and foot-tips’ day for girls over 13, and a ‘Yoga for mother and child’ session. Children from all properties can also participate in the following activity lessons: Tennis, swimming, golf, wakeboarding, water-skiing, sailing, scuba diving and fishing (extra charges apply).
ELOUNDA PENINSULA
Opening in 2002, the Elounda Peninsula is the most exclusive of the three, offering the largest private-pool seafront suites in the entire country, and having its own range of dedicated facilities for its very special clientele: a beautiful spa with pool, sauna, and authentic hammam, a unique cinema theatre, a fully-stocked wine cellar, the awardwinning Calypso gourmet restaurant, and the amazing Serenes’ Bar right on the water’s edge. One of the most important additions is the stunning Six Senses Spa, a facility so special that it was immediately recognised by the Sunday Times’ TRAVEL magazine as the “World’s Best Spa” The Elounda S.A hotels & resorts stage a variety of dining experiences across seven restaurants, and guests can enjoy a ‘Dine Around’ scheme in conjunction with its neighbouring sister hotels. For further details on these recommended properties or the island itself, please contact Abbotts Travel. Abbotts Travel, 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA. Tel: 0208 989 9445 www.abbotts travel.com
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70 Seater Restaurant FULLY LICENCED
Open 7 Days a week 11am -11pm Lunch Time Menu Available To All
ONLY
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www.lydiarestaurant.co.uk
FREE FREE DELIVERY DELIVERY 4pm 4pm -- 10.30pm 10.30pm 44
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020 8529 8333 MINIMUM ORDER £17.50
THYME
FOOD & DRINK THYME
AT THE WALTHAM ABBEY MARRIOTT HOTEL Restaurant Review
Butterflied Garlic Prawns
Soy Braised Pork Cheeks
A
s we entered the Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey we were unsure what to expect from a ‘hotel restaurant’ as they can be very hit and miss. However, as soon as we saw the creative menu at ‘Thyme’ we knew this was going to be special, and so it proved to be. Before we get to the food, a quick note on the décor which was very modern, comfortable and spacious with an open kitchen for added entertainment during the meal. We browsed the new menu and decided for starters to have the Tea Smoked Gressingham Duck with salt and pepper pineapple and rhubarb ketchup, (I said it was creative!) whilst my companion plumped for the Butterflied Garlic Prawns. My dish tasted superb and was presented immaculately, the salt and pepper gave a mouth-watering contrast to the juicy sweet pineapple, and that’s just the base. On top sat the duck which was tender, pink and full of flavour, the whole dish was fantastic.
Chocolate Fudge Brownie
The Garlic Prawns looked delicious and was very well cooked and not over powered with the garlic, giving a delicate balance in order to keep the full flavour of the prawns. For the mains my partner enjoyed Soy Braised Pork Cheeks with coconut and ginger rice, whilst I had the Yorkshire Wagyu Beef Burger with cheddar cheese and hand cut chips. The pork was rich with juicy flavours of soy and seasoning, soft to bite and could be lightly torn apart with the fork without any need to ‘cut’ such was the tenderness. If you like your burgers with a bite then don’t go for Wagyu as it’s served rare and soft but was still very good and made even better with the lovely brioche bun, plus the accompanying thick chips were first class. For desert we opted for Whole Orange and Almond Syrup Cake with Pistachio ice cream, along with my order of a Chocolate Fudge Brownie that came with espresso syrup and mascarpone. For me, my dessert was the best dish of the day - it was heavy,
stodgy, sweet and just fantastic. The bites of brownie revealed where your teeth marks had been, such was the rich thickness of the dish and each mouthful contained chunky nut bites. The orange cake was much lighter, it was fluffy in the middle, well toasted on top, gentle enough to let the syrup seep inside and all lifted further by the almond ice cream (yet another creative course). All in all we were thoroughly impressed by the food at Thyme and will certainly be heading back. Little touches throughout the meal (like the accompanying miniature glass jars of condiments) were very nice, but for me it was the creativity that really stood out, I felt we were eating food that just wouldn’t be served elsewhere, and that’s what sets this restaurant apart. Hats off to the new menu, and we look forward to trying the rest of their marvellous creations very soon. Thyme, Old Shire Lane, Waltham Abbey EN9 3LX Tel: 01992 704472 www.walthamabbeymarriott.co.uk
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Authentic Italian Food at La Nostra La Nostra is known for its traditional and authentic Italian food and an atmosphere that is talked about around the local community and afar. Our award winning head chef has over 15 years’ experience of fine Italian cooking. Creating dishes with passion and flare that our customers keep coming back for. Come and try for yourself and experience the real taste of Italy!
Eat in or take away Hand made on site Traditional Wood oven cooking
Now taking Christmas Bookings 168 High Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4AQ 01992
572 995
New Opening hours – 11:30am – 11:30pm
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www.lanostrarestaurants.co.uk
117 High Rd Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6QQ TEL: 020 8500 6282 www.thebluebellrestaurant.co.uk
6 Course Chef’s Tasting Menu – Half Price for Essex Central Readers –
Usually £55 per person, but just £27.50 per person with this advert throughout October 2015. Mention special offer at time of booking. Tuesday-Thursday Only
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22/09/2015
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THE GARNON BUSHES
Tel: 01992 560211
E-mail: info@garnonbushes.co.uk
Live Entertainment
Saturday 10th Oct
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with Jamie Callis Monlthy food nights
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We look forward to seeing you soon.
COMMUNITY
LOUGHTON
H
FOODBANK Emergency food for local people in crisis
eather set up Loughton Foodbank in 2013 after an independent foodbank moved out of the area. She knew how to establish one after working as a volunteer at the nearby Redbridge Foodbank for a year and support given by the Trussell Trust. She experienced the amazing work they do by giving food and support to local people in crisis who had been referred by front line care professionals. Realising that there now wasn’t a foodbank in the Loughton area, she started investigating how it would run and where it would be based. Immediately she got support from two church leaders. Both churches, Restore Community Church and St Mary’s where she attends, are food distribution centres. The charity was given a startup grant from Loughton Town Council and is funded by generous monetary donations and other smaller grants. With this money
“Over 1000 local people in Epping Forest have received an emergency food parcel.”
Loughton Foodbank has acquired necessary equipment for its warehouse space - where all the donated food is stored, food items in short supply and resources for clients to take away. Additionally there is a website, Facebook and Twitter page to promote the charity. Heather project manages the Foodbank along with a small management team and is busy coordinating a team of volunteers to organise food donations, the warehouse and two collection days every week.
By Ben Sneath
Much of the food donations are made by businesses, schools, uniformed organisations, churches and generous individuals. Recently, Tesco customers were encouraged to buy an extra item and to give to the Foodbank as a donation during the sixth Neighbourhood Collection. Frontline Care professionals such as Doctors and care workers decide whether someone is in crisis and in need of emergency food. They complete a foodbank voucher which the individual redeems for 3 days of nutritionally balanced food. Reasons for referrals include benefit delays, low income and debt. Over 1000 local people in Epping Forest have received an emergency food parcel since the Foodbank opened. One of the current aims of the charity is to expand its storage
capabilities by getting a bigger warehouse, and to operate in new areas outside of Loughton. Heather has seen that Epping Forest has a great need for a Foodbank and is looking for any volunteers who would like to help support the community by way of volunteering for the Foodbank, any charitable local businesses who could donate storage space or equipment and care professionals who would like to become voucher holders. So if you are any of these get in touch! www.loughton.foodbank.org.uk volunteer@loughton.foodbank. org.uk @Loughton_FBank
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ESSEX GET OUT AND ABOUT IN
WHEN: Saturday 3rd - Friday 30th October WHAT: Loughton Camera Club Annual Exhibition - Photographic prints and digital images. Open normal library hours. Admission free. WHERE: Loughton Library, Traps Hill WHEN: Sunday 4th October, 10.30am-4.30pm WHAT: Indoor Art and Craft Fair Quality arts and crafts by local people. Free entry and free parking. Seated area with light refreshments on sale. WHERE: Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs, Grange Farm, off High Road, Chigwell
WHEN: Saturday 10th October, 10am-noon WHAT: Theydon Bois Pre-School nearly new sale - New and nearly new items for sale including children’s clothes, baby equipment, toys. Sellers’ enquiries; emailtbpsnearlynewsale@gmail.com WHERE: The Scout Hut, Loughton Lane, Theydon Bois WHEN: Saturday 10th October, 1pm-5pm WHAT: Suntrap Forest Education Centre Annual Open Day - Meet the animals, pond dip, peer down microscopes, have a go on the low ropes course, enjoy craft activities, stroll through the forest on a guided walk, look at exhibitions or enjoy some light refreshments. Free entry with a small charge for some activities. Parking £3 (free shuttle bus from Chingford Station).
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Visitwww.suntrapcentre.weebly. com for more information. WHERE: Suntrap Forest Education Centre, Church Road, High Beach
WHEN: Sunday 11th October, 11am-4pm WHAT: Apple Day - Apple Day is a national annual celebration of apple orchards and local distinctiveness. Join in the fun, play some traditional games, help with the juicing and have your own apples identified by our expert. Apple display and apples for sale. Entertainment, refreshments and bar, lunches, produce for sale and the Trust shop. Entry £8 per person. Access to gardens and mansion (room stewards). WHERE: Copped Hall, Epping WHEN: Sunday 11th October, 5.30pm WHAT: Vintage Film Night - Death on the Nile - In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the London Boroughs earlier this year, Valentines Mansion is delighted to invite you to a screening of Death on the Nile, featuring one of Redbridge s former residents and acclaimed actresses, Maggie Smith. The library Bar will be open during the evening. Film classification PG Tickets: £8 per person (includes a serving of popcorn). Pre-booking essential on 020 8708 8100.
WHERE: Valentines Mansion & Gardens, Emerson Road, Ilford WHEN: Monday 12th October, 1.45pm WHAT: West Essex Flower Club - David Wright will be at West Essex Flower Club this month with his flower demonstration entitled “Saturday Night at the Movies”. There will also be an Autumn Plant Sale. Come along to this friendly club, everybody welcome. Visitors pay £4.50 on the door. WHERE: Thornwood Village Hall, Weald Hall Lane WHEN: Wednesday 14th October, 10am for 10.30am start WHAT: Theydon Bois Friends of Cancer Research UK Bridge Drive - Coffee and biscuits will be served, sandwiches & glass of wine. Tickets £15 from Sheila Tel: 01992 573319 or email: the.turnbulls@btinternet.com WHERE: Theydon Bois Village Hall WHEN: Wednesday 14th October, 2.30pm WHAT: The History of Chingford - An illustrated talk by Morna Daniels. £3 for non-members of the National Trust Woodford Green Centre. Refreshments available. For enquiries call 020 8508 9541. WHERE: All Saints Church, Inmans Row, Woodford WHEN: Friday 16th October, 9am-11.30pm WHAT: St Clare Hospice Corporate Golf Day - 18 holes on the par-72 championship course starting with breakfast. Prizes for the first and second-placed teams as well as best individual golfer, nearest the pin and longest drive, plus the chance to win a car for a hole in one.
WHAT’S O N
The golf will be followed by a twocourse dinner, prize-giving and charity raffle and auction. The competition is open to teams of up to four players. Registration costs £340 per team. For more details ring Heather Cameron on 01279 773753 or email heather. cameron@stclarehospice.org.uk WHERE: Abridge Golf Club, Epping Lane WHEN: Thursday 22nd October, 10am - 2.30pm WHAT: Fairlop Lake Island Clearance - We’ll be cutting and clearing vegetation from the lake island to improve the habitat for ground nesting birds. Wellies recommended. Will involve a short boat ride. WHERE: Meet at Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre car park, Forest Road, Ilford IG6 3HN
WHEN: Tuesday 27th October, 10am - 2.30pm WHAT: Duck House Making Come and lend a hand to help us to make some duck houses, giving the wildfowl of South Park protection over the coming season! Meet at The Wildlife Centre inside the park, beside the gate and adjacent to the bandstand. Use South Park entrance on the junction of South Park Road and South Park Crescent. WHERE: South Park, South Park Road, Ilford
in the dead of the night. Be prepared for a spine chillingly exciting evening. Strictly 18 yrs+, £44 per person includes light refreshments. Tickets at www.the-pigs. co.uk/ValentinesMansion.html or by calling 020 8708 8100. WHERE: Valentines Mansion & Gardens, Emerson Road, Ilford WHEN: Saturday 31st October, 12noon - 3pm WHAT: Redbridge Youth Bake Off - Our annual Youth Bake Off is back and this year will have
WHEN: Thursday 29th October, 10.30am WHAT: West Essex Ramblers Walk - Explore Wanstead Park and its surroundings, meet the group outside Wanstead Station for a five-mile circular walk. For more details, ring 020 8502 1628. WHERE: Meet at Wanstead Station
WHEN: Thursday 22nd Saturday 24th October, 8pm WHAT: Yes Prime Minister – a comedy by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, writers of the original television series Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister. The UK is in crisis, debt is spiralling, unemployment is on the rise, and the fragile coalition cabinet, led by Prime Minister Jim Hacker, is at breaking point. However, salvation may exist in the form of a deal with the oil-rich country of Kumranistan, but, all is not straightforward. Tickets - £8.50 from Mr and Mrs James - 01992 812250. www.theydondrama.org. WHERE: Theydon Bois Village Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois CM16 7ER
WHEN: Friday 30th October, 6pm - 9pm WHAT: Spooky Halloween Lantern Walk - Blood trail to follow, spooky stories, monstors and a zombie zone. Meeting location and information will be sent on confirmation of booking. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. To book email tonychadwick@ woodlandtrust.org.uk. WHERE: Hainault Forest Country Park
WHEN: Saturday 24th October, 7pm for a 7:30 start WHAT: 1940s Dance - Come and join Treble Trouble and the Bass Cleffs for a 1940s Dance in aid of The British Legion with great music, a fully licensed bar, vintage craft stalls and raffle! Tickets £10, contact: 07941 389232. WHERE: North Weald Village Hall, High Road CM16 6BU
WHEN: Saturday 31st October, 8pm-3am WHAT: Paranormal Halloween Special - Are you brave enough to take part in a real paranormal investigation on the spookiest night of the year? Join the Paranormal Investigation Gathering Service, attempting to find and record paranormal activity within Valentines Mansion
a spooky theme to celebrate Halloween. Bring along your home made creepy cupcakes, terrifying tarts, beastly brownies... The best bake will be crowned Redbridge Youth Baker 2015. All entrants must be aged 11-19 and entries must be in by 12 noon on 31st October. To take part or book a ticket email library.informaion@ visionrcl.org.uk. WHERE: Gants Hill Library WHEN: Sunday 1st November, 9am-2pm WHAT: Loughton Residents’ Association Farmers Market - Produce stalls and local organisations. WHERE: Centric Parade, High Road, Loughton
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We look forward to working with you!
ReUse Centre in Hainault Essex, over two floors stocks lots of preloved goods waiting to be re-homed. Our warehouse stocks the following:
• Beds • Mattresses • Mirrors • Pictures • Household goods • Bikes • Books children/adults • Clothes children/adults • Golf clubs/Balls • Bric a Brac and many other treasures
• Sofas • Dining Table and Chairs • Coffee Tables • Nest of tables THE • Dressing tables NUMBER 1 • Side cabinets STORE FOR • Wall cabinets LANDLORDS • Display cabinets • Book cases • Wardrobes • Wooden and Metal bed frames • DVD'S / CD'S & Records
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Unit E, The Acorn Centre, 29 Roebuck Road, Hainault, Essex. IG6 3TU (Off Fowler Rd)
Please ask about our FREE house clearance service
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?
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CORNER ?
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? PUZZLE ?
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SUDOKU
Difficulty: Evil
s SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
?
Can you spot 6 differences between these two pictures?
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?
?
?
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? CRISS CROSS
Fit these Halloween words into the grid: 5 LETTERS 6 LETTERS 8 LETTERS Scary Spooky Werewolf Witch Zombie Mummy Fright 9 LETTERS Trick Nightmare Treat 7 LETTERS Halloween Vampire Pumpkin
s
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WORD SEARCH
Find these autumnal words:
Fireworks Chilly Bonfire
Leaves Changing Wellingtons
Autumn Dew Cobweb
Orange Cosy Season
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For puzzle solutions please visit www.essexcentralmagazine.co.uk
PUZZLES
Win!
COMPETITION
&
Win a family ticket to Colchester Zoo during Shriek Week!
T
NAME:
need to be collected at the entrance of the zoo on the day of visit. *Child tickets apply to 14 years and under. *Voucher prize has no monetary value and may not be resold. *Vouchers cannot be used on bank holiday and is not valid in conjunction with any other offer. *Tickets cannot be extended under any circumstances. *By entering you agree to provide a picture for publication if you are picked as a winner. www.colchester-zoo.com
SHRIEK WEEK COMPETITION
ADDRESS:
!
he darkness of ‘Shriek Week’ is set to return to Colchester Zoo... are you brave enough?!! Win a family ticket to visit Colchester Zoo during Shriek Week this October half term from the 24th October - 1st November 2015 and enjoy spook-tacular events suitable for all ages! Listen to the ghostly tale of the ‘Haunted Mansion’; take a ride on the themed road train and loads more! With so many activites for the whole family this is an event not to be missed! For those of you brave enough to stay after dark Colchester Zoo’s Fright Nights are also returning to offer hair-raising screams on selected nights during Shriek Week as the zoo remains open after dark!
To enter: fill in the entry form and send to: Essex Central Magazine, Brickfield Business Centre, High Road, Thornwood, Epping, Essex CM16 6TH, enter online at www. essexcentralmagazine.co.uk/ competitions or email your details to: competitions@essexcentral magazine.co.uk. Closing date: Four winners will be picked at random on 19th October 2015. Terms and conditions: *Ticket for 2 adults & 2 children to visit between the 24th October - 1st November 2015. *Ticket will
TEL: EMAIL: ESSEX CENTRAL
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01992 283 568
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LOCAL LANDMARK VALENTINES MANSION & GARDENS T
here are fewer places in Redbridge with a richer history than Valentines Mansion. Built in around 1696, the grounds and gardens were owned by middle class patrons and housed themselves and their staff. It was Grade II listed in 1954 however until around twenty years ago it was a fairly neglected attraction. When this was recognised, Redbridge Council and Heritage Lottery Funds worked together to restore this site to its former magnificence. Valentines Mansion was built for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s widow, Elizabeth Tillotson and their family. When it was first built, it was a three story mansion home to her family and staff. From 1702 to 1870, Valentines Mansion played host to many different owners, boasting gentlemen such as Sir Charles Raymond (1754), who had strong connections with the East India Company and an eventual founding member of Raymond, Williams, Vere, Lowe and Fletcher, a bank which is now part of the The Royal Bank of Scotland. Other owners included Robert Surman (1724) and Charles T Holcombe (1838) all of who made improvements to the Mansion. It wasn’t until 1870, the year of Holcombe’s death that the Mansion was passed down to Sarah Ingleby when she and her family added a two story extension and made vast improvement and extensions to the grounds. After the passing of Sarah Ingleby in 1906, her son donated the grounds adjoining to Ilford Council, who soon after made the purchase of the Mansion and additional land in 1912. Until the 1990’s the Council made the Mansion a home to wartime refugees, a hospital, a public health centre and a council housing department, however the Mansion
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By Devon-Elizabeth Tabersham.
stood uninhabited until 2006 when restoration projects began, making this historical building a place for visitors to enjoy. Interest in restoring the grounds
“Valentines Mansion played host to many different owners”
started brewing in 1989, when a petition was collected from local historical societies and was presented to the council by Redbridge Mayor, Councillor Frank
Cobb which saw interest in turning the mansion into a museum, however this was knocked back. Revisiting the idea of restoration in 1999, a Lottery Heritage Fund agreed to the planning if a conservation plan could be compiled. This was the beginning of a long process, in which work didn’t begin until 2006. It wasn’t until conservation plans were put in place that the history and chronology of the Mansion were truly taken into interest and the Friends of Valentines Mansion started to collate information about previous owners and uses of the building. Valentines Mansion was awarded
Garden P arty at Valentine s 1910
COMMUNITY
Valentines c.
a Grade II listing on April 10th 1954, and while the preservation of such a beautiful building was at the heart of the project, difficulties arose in the restoration project. There were two main restoration projects; one on the Mansion, the other restoring the gardens and park back to their previous splendour. Restorations included the Boat House, the Cowling Shelter and moving the Parks Police headquarters to the Park Keeper’s lodge, all of which were eventually completed in 2009. Since work was completed and Valentines Mansion and Gardens were restored, this Grade II listed building has become a museum
and learning resource centre for children and adults alike. Primary students are welcomed to learn about the history of the Mansion as well as history of the time, using
“This Grade II listed building has become a museum”
role-play children are entered back to the eighteenth century as a fantastic visual learning tool. The syllabus for Secondary pupils is focussed on art, design
and citizenship, taking inspiration from the beautiful architecture and the example of the many charitable uses of Valentines Mansion. Creative workshops are held for adults in which new skills can be learnt such as horticulture and pottery. Valentines Mansion holds many cultural and educational events, upcoming are Blinging Blooming Marvellous! with floral designer David Thompson on Sunday 18th October and a Diwali Fair on Tuesday 27th October. Valentines Mansion & Gardens Emerson Road, Ilford, IG1 4XA www.valentinesmansion.com
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Redbridge Local Studies and Archives
1775
DAD’S DIARY
In Partnership with
ENTERING FATHERHOOD
WITHOUT A MAP
L
ast month I was a dad of one boy, this month I’m the dad of two, as George has now been joined by Jake : ) ... he finally arrived 7 days late, so I guess he’s inherited his mother’s skills when it comes to getting ready. He also arrived at the same time as George, the worst time. 3am she started going into labour. Why can’t it start at a sensible hour? It’s almost as though he has zero consideration for us, and I hope he quickly grows out of this selfish phase. We made our way to the hospital amidst a mixture of sleepy excitement and a few hours later he was here. Luckily for me he’s been blessed with a strong crop of dark hair, in contrast to his brother who sports a light blond bouffant. This should make visually distinguishing them for a quick telling off easier in future, as the names ‘Jake’ and ‘George’ are fairly similar sounding, I fear I could get these continually muddled when trying to quickly discipline (certainly if my own
“We currently feed him using a high powered garden ho se.”
parents are anything to go by, often going through a book of names before painfully stumbling across my own). Thankfully George has taken warmly to him, although when asked where his brother is he still refers to the phrase “In Mummy’s belly” much to the despair of the misses. He has also taken to calling him “it” instead of Jake, and when he cries we are told to, “put it
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back in basket,” (I must add at this point - this is a Moses ‘basket’ I’m referring to, we don’t keep him with the laundry). The main difference we’ve noticed between them so far is the colossal amount Jake has been drinking compared to George at the same age, he’s knocking back the milk in gallons and I fear the suppliers at our local dairy are already quaking with fear for when he moves on to cows milk. Most babies are breastfed or have a bottle, but we currently feed him using a high powered garden hose just to keep up with demand. A lot of the time he looks like one of those chicks in the nest on some Attenborough documentary, his red mouth spread open at a reflex angle beckoning for more food to enter. Another thing we have noticed is the side effect of so much milk means he burps slightly louder than Barney from the Simpsons. I’m not sure if he’s attempting some kind of record for volume and duration but it’s incredibly impressive and has given my own hair a rather windswept look. I’m not quite sure what we’ve created in truth, as he also appears to be half ape judging by his hairy ears, although on the plus side I should save money on earmuffs (every cloud). In addition to our new baby we also moved house last month so it’s been a delightfully pleasant period of tranquillity, I’m almost disappointed I didn’t have to climb Everest as I could have done with a challenge. During the ensuing chaos of moving with a 2 year old and a 2 week old we thankfully managed to pack them in comfortable storage and just a few days later found them again in
the loft of the new home. Boxes get thrown about during a house move so I guess this was inevitable (in case anyone reading this is unsure, that was all a joke). George is now starting to string quite long sentences together which is pleasing to hear, “Can I have a yoghurt from the fridge please Daddy? Let’s play on the trampoline daddy,” and the ever
“He burps slightly louder than Barney from the Simpson s.”
loveable “Why was I kept in a box for so long Daddy?”... The little cherubs melt your heart don’t they? I’m hoping Jake will learn quicker by having a big brother to play and learn from, although if my own childhood is anything to go by then Jake will be getting flung around the front room in a series of death defying wrestling manoeuvres (I was the big brother, sorry Dennis!). We were keen when George asked to give Jake a cuddle but proceeded to watch in horror as he gave one of those squeezing cuddles a young child gives a kitten, the kind where the eyeballs start to bulge and a strong purple hue starts to appear on the victim, “Now, now George, let’s put him down and let the blood flow around his body once again”. The dust has started to settle and all four of us are now in our new home and looking forward to more long sentences and even longer burps as the story continues… ...TO BE CONTINUED
Christmas Parties
All Inclusive Party Nights from £48pp Cocktail Buffet Party Nights £40pp Black Tie Ball £49.50pp
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