Poem

The weather is definitely trying its best, With the longer days, evenings and warmth in sighting the rest. That’s the flowers and bloom, the wildlife and trees busting to be seen and heard, Everyone busy readying their gardens for that wonderful summer garden word. Barbeque! That’s what can strike fear into some but sheer pleasure into others, A time to rekindle family’s joy for each other and for the dads to give some rest for the mothers. Friends to enjoy good weather and food, The perfect combination to help lift our mood. The long suffering pets being offered burnt sausages and dried out meat, Leaving only the best of the rest for everyone else to eat. Those long lasting days that turn into night, Relaxing in a garden that until now has been kept out of sight. We all know how much hard work it takes to maintain any garden, So to show it off to others is one of those acts we all pardon. For to chill out with family and friends in somewhere that’s taken hard work and dedication, Is surely one of the best feelings we can have as we almost feel worthy of salvation. Yes it might just be a garden but it’s somewhere to feel proud, In a world that’s so quick to put you down, it’s your special place where happiness is allowed.

Source: Andy—resident poet. I know why he has written a poem on this subject. We have recently started the garden clear up. Unlike many others, we didn't get around to doing much in the garden during lockdown so we are doing it now. It is a big project.

Dementia Action Week 17th-23rd May 2021

Dementia Action Week is a national event that sees the UK public taking action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance will participate each day of that week offering Virtual Coffee Mornings, Dementia Friends Information Sessions and much more. Further details of the confirmed schedule will be released closer to the time. Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance (EFDAA) brings together organisations and individuals across the district who are committed to further developing our dementia friendly community. If you would like to know more or be part of the Epping Forest DAA please contact lcleverley@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or find out more by liking the Facebook page: facebook.com/EppingForestDAA/.

County Lines

County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.

They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs. OCGs often use high levels of violence and intimidation to protect the ‘county line’ and control them. You can find out more about county lines and the signs that indicate someone could be involved on our website www.essex.police.uk/advice/ advice-and-information/cl

Don’t forget to visit the website:

www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk Or sign up to the Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/ Northwealdvillagelife Also on Instagram and Twitter

Stan Newens – an appreciation

I first met Stan at one of his book signings in North Weald on the 15th October 1999, five years after I moved to the area. Later, after joining the North Weald Preservation Society, the then chairman, David Lodge suggested I talk with Stan, who was president, as I was researching my first book on Thornwood Common.

Stan was so helpful and willing to let me use a number of photographs from his vast collection that really brought the edition to life. I can remember a couple of times popping around to his amazing house in Harlow to return photos to him, only to find him with sleeves rolled up and wellies on, digging up vegetables from his garden! Stan said he always wanted to find the source of the Cripsey Brook next to London Road and was impressed that I’d managed to find it but I assured him it wasn’t much to look at, appearing from under a pile of brambles, and that the nearby 1828 built tunnel carrying a field drain under the road was much more impressive! I was honoured when Stan gave me a ‘vote of thanks’ after my ‘Local Highways and Milestones’ lecture to the North Weald Preservation Society a couple of years ago and that he said he had no idea that the London 20 milestone existed in Potter Street, not a million miles from his home!

Through his membership of the Friends of Epping Forest now the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, Stan was instrumental in creating a dialogue between Epping Forest and myself over the milestone debacle. Resulting in a cordial meeting between the Forest Superintendent and myself. Stan helped me yet again when I began work on my 2nd edition of Thornwood Common – An Essex Village, with the offer to use more of his photos. What astounded me was that with all his books and boxes of photographs about the house, he knew exactly where everything was! We have lost a true mine of information. Jimmy Waters. Editor’s Comment: Stan and Reg Newens brothers, are a part of North Weald’s history. Stan was very helpful to me and supportive of the magazine. RIP Stan. I am sure you will always be remembered in the village.

Over the last year, a considerable number of North Weald Parish residents have been able to experience the local environment in a more relaxed manner through their daily exercise. I hope you have enjoyed walking our area and finding special places you would never have seen had it not been for the virus restrictions. Meaning, at least something good has come of all this. Unfortunately the lockdowns have allowed a certain irresponsible, lazy element in society to take advantage of the reduction of normal activity for their own benefit and have decided to dump their unwanted rubbish around our parish.

Gas cylinders by the bucket load have been dumped on Weald Hall Lane Bridge in Thornwood Common. Our house, like many others locally, has been on the receiving end of other people’s rubbish, usually thrown from a passing vehicle. The local takeaways have a lot to answer for and EFDC should impose clauses into planning permission, compelling any business to take full responsibility for their rubbish – not putting their profits before our environment – of which We have to pay to have cleared!! I can remember Macdonald’s at Latton, not long after they had opened and the litter began to rise, sending a member of staff along the B.1393 into Thornwood Common to pick up all the rubbish their ‘customers’ had discarded the day before. Strange how that has now stopped yet their empty packaging still profusely litters our village?

Even Highways contractors (who should know better) are not above littering our environment! The photos show (left) a discarded Sodium Lamp from a High Road street light and also (right) the ubiquitous Traffic Cone dumped by the B.1393 in Thornwood Common. If, like me you have just about had enough of all this, then please write in to the Editor (details on page 3) with a description of what you have come across along with a photograph and it could be included in this column. This introduction has just highlighted problems in Thornwood Common. I am well aware of more instances in neighbouring Epping Upland. So we are by no means alone. I have had an interest in recycling and litter impact on the environment for years. Here I am presenting on TV an article about recycling counterfeit goods, surrounded by rubbish at the North London Waste Authority’s site at Edmonton during the 90s. The litter problem is growing and when you add in drug use detritus it becomes very serious . Litter costs. Litter looks revolting. (Picture by Carlton Television.) Litter damages the environment. Litter blocks drains. Litter impacts on all forms of wildlife. Litter causes the value of your home to reduce. Litter affects everyone. Thornwood locals have begun to clean their own areas. The Uplanders and the Woodside Wombles along with individuals around Duck Lane, Rowley Mead and Weald Hall Lane have all done sterling work to try to improve our surroundings. If you spot any fly-tip, please report it to, RThomason@eppingforestdc.go.uk with a photo if possible. If it is actually taking place, dial police on 999 and try to give a description of the vehicle, registration number and occupants along with the location. Do Not approach them, as these people, like the stuff they dump, can be vile. With candidates knocking on your doors looking for votes soon, now is a good time to ask them what will be done by EFDC to combat this growing problem? Jimmy Waters. North Weald Bassett Citizen of the Year 2016.