North Weald Village Life Strengthening the Community
FREE North Weald Bassett Community Magazine Issue: 172 December 2020 Page
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Christmas is here! Well very nearly. I can’t believe it, I need to do some Christmas planning. I keep thinking it is at least three months away. I think it is because of lockdown, I don’t know what day, date or month we are in most of the time. However this year I am going to go all out for Christmas, not spend money I haven’t got, but put the decorations up earlier than usual and probably put up more than I usually do, I really want to feel the Christmas spirit in our home. I have been watching my ‘cheesey’ Christmas films, the soppy romantic ones. I have never worked out why I liked them so much, it’s not because the guy gets the girl all the time (they always end like that but I am not a romantic) but my sister worked it out as she has, for the first year, started watching them. It is because Christmas is as you want it to be, choosing a Christmas tree, shops and streets decorated, snowing, loads of Christmas traditions and events and everything full of Christmas. I know it’s not realistic but what’s wrong with a bit of Christmas dreaming?
Cover photo: Chosen to give everybody the Christmas Spirit
Contents December Issue Page No.
4. Brain Teaser 5. Christmas Market Rescheduled
Is anybody watching I’m a celebrity get me out of here on tv? I am enjoying it being in wales this year. I like the celebrities in it too – I even recognise most of them. I hope they do it maybe in another castle in the UK next year.
6. Planning applications
With the vaccines ready to be hopefully available by Spring next year, I think 2021 will be a year of going out, meeting up socially, going on holiday etc. I think we will all have had enough of being at home by then.
10. Safeguarding Children
It is hard to know what to do with Christmas this year, because of the pandemic of course. I guess we have to be sensible and not take any necessary risks. Christmas has always been a time for friends and family to see each other There are many people on their own this Christmas. Why not write a card for a neighbour and pop it through their door. Old or young, this Christmas more than any other Christmas, it is important to smile and not feel on your own. If anybody would just like a chat or go for a walk at any time, join in a dog walk with someone, receive a card or Christmas drawing from a local family, please just get in touch with myself or any of the North Weald Volunteers and we will ensure it will happen. I have recently introduced two people who have lived in the same road for many years because one lady is in isolation and they have struck up a friendship and regularly talk. I have met some wonderful people in the village whilst helping others during the pandemic and am so happy to have been able to help local people. Our details are on page . JUNE Editor
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7. Events 9. Tumble Dryer Casualties 11. North Weald Rave 17. Photos of the month 20. Scam 21. Urgent appeal to Covid survivors 24. Church Chat 28. Gardening column 30. Poem 31. Citizens Advice Editor June Peachey june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk 07814 863955 Write to: 49 York Road, North Weald, Epping, Essex CM16 6HU www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk Subscription: If you would like to guarantee your personal copy or perhaps you have relatives or friends who would like to receive their own copy, you can subscribe for £25.00 for 12 issues. Contributions & Editorial: If you would like to contribute editorial, poems, recipes, letters or anything else, we would be delighted to receive these. Please send them to us via letter or email. Advertisers: Please email or telephone us for full advertising rates and sizes. Booking deadline is 5th of each month.
Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure any data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor it’s editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party, or loss or damage caused by errors or resulting from negligence, accident or any other concerns. North Weald Village Life does not officially endorse any advertisement material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reported, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted in any form electronically. Mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publisher.
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DECEMBER BRAIN TEASER —Win a bottle of box of biscuits • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Decorations Mistletoe Celebration Tree Fairy Baubles Pine cone Lights Presents Snowballs Angels Chocolates Advent Tinsel Cards Carols Holly Tree Family
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Thank you to Mrs N. Day who won last month’s brain teaser. Just search and find the words, ring them and then send your completed wordsearch to me by 15th December. Please send it to:- November Brain Teaser, NWVL, 49 York Road, North Weald, CM16 6HU. This month’s prize is a box of biscuits. Don’t forget to include your name, telephone no and address.
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Epping Christmas Market rescheduled Epping Town Council has decided to postpone the Epping Christmas Market until Friday, December 18. The annual Epping Christmas Market was being planned for Friday, December 4, but has now been rescheduled for two weeks later because of the second COVID-19 lockdown. The Christmas Market will now be a daytime market only running on Epping High Street from 9am until 4pm. As the COVID-19 situation continues and will still be with us by then, there will be changes to the look and format of the event from previous years.
The Christmas Market will only go ahead in line with the Government's COVID-19 guidelines and with consent for the road closure from Epping Forest District Council.
Opposition to Kendal Avenue flats plan Epping Town Council has repeated its "very strong" objections to plans to demolish a "perfectly good" house to make way for a development of six apartments. Latest plans for 4 Kendal Avenue in Epping are a fourth attempt to gain planning permission for the development. Planning and general purposes committee chairman Nigel Avey told Tuesday's meeting the proposed development "looks like a Victorian workhouse". He said: "It (the proposed design) is ugly, it doesn't suit the street scene and I have enormous issues over access. "This is the fourth application and they have done nothing to address our concerns from other applications. I strongly object to this. "Our original objection was it didn't fit in Kendal Avenue at all, and they are knocking down a perfectly good house which on the open market must be worth quite a lot." He added there was insufficient parking with six spaces for the six apartments. Councillor Barbara Scruton said: "What concerns me is we are building flats and very quickly becoming a commuter town. I think we again should be saying we want family houses not flats." Deputy Mayor Michael Wright said: "It's out of character. Let's just throw the book at it and say they shouldn't do it."
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Planning Applications Planning File No: 005677 Application No: EPF/2078/20 Applicant Name: Carly Smith Officer: Francis Saayeng Location: Wyntersley, Hastingwood Road, Hastingwood. Harlow. CM17 9JX Proposal: Erection of a detached, ancillary granny annexe.
Planning File No: 024922 Application No: EPF/2542/20 Applicant Name: Mr Lee Stimpson Officer: Zara Seelig Location: 19 Hampden Close, North Weald Bassett, Epping. CM16 6JX Proposal: Proposed loft conversion and single storey front extension.
Any representations on applications should be made in writing, by Monday, 14th December 2020
Epping Forest District Council www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk Comment online at www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/iPlan or by post to: The Director of Planning and Economic Development, Epping Forest District Council, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ Any enquiries should be made to the Application Processing Team T: 01992 564436
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EVENTS Epping Christmas Market Friday 18th December 9am—4pm Enjoy some Christmas shopping— shop local
St Andrews Primary School are having a virtual school tour on Wednesday 6th January at 6:30pm for any parents of children wishing to apply for a reception class place for September. If anyone would like to join this tour they need to contact the school office on 01992 522283 or email office@st-andrews-northweald.essex.sch.uk and we will send them the joining details.
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Local book for sale One of our talented residents has just had his second book published. Jimmy Waters 2nd edition of Thornwood Common—An Essex Village is out now and available from him at (thornwoodcommoner@gmail.com) or North Weald Newsagents price £18.60.
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Three casualties freed from industrial tumble dryer Firefighters freed three teenager who were trapped inside an industrial tumble dryer that was in a derelict laundry site at Bower Hill, Epping. Crews from Loughton and Harlow were called at 6.35pm on Friday 30th October. Two men had already climbed into the tumble dryer when a third man's ankles became trapped in the door when he tried to crawl in. Firefighters worked with Essex Police, Helicopter Medical Emergency Service (HEMS) and the Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to rescue the men. Watch Manager Glenn Jackson said: "Our crews, including some relatively new recruits, were excellent and worked really hard in arduous conditions. "It was a difficult site to access and we had to carry a lot of heavy equipment a large distance from the appliances to the tumble dryer and then use our expertise to free the men safely. "We used a range of equipment to free the casualty's ankles and allow him to crawl into the tumble dryer. The HEMS team gave him pain relief and we then managed to move the door, again using a range of equipment, so the men could crawl out. "It was a really good joint effort, working with Essex Police, HEMS and HART, to bring the incident to a safe conclusion." The men were left in the care of the Ambulance Service.
Souce: Essex Fire and Rescue Service Page 9
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County-wide Campaign to Safeguard Vulnerable Children A partnership campaign was launched on Monday 23rd November to raise awareness of child exploitation at stations and transport networks in parts of Essex. Under the banner of Operation Henderson, the joint initiative is being run by Essex Safeguarding Children Board, Southend and Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnerships, British Transport Police, Essex Police, the Violence and Vulnerability Unit, Rail Operators, local councils and The Children’s Society. Despite the national lockdown currently in force, young people are still using public transport to get to and from school and many essential services are still running. Research has shown that young people vulnerable to exploitation are just as likely to be using trains, buses and taxis as they were prior to Covid. A young person travelling on their own during a lockdown is in fact an indicator of potential abuse. They may be unable to stop for fear of punishment from their exploiters. Research and local data have shown transport networks are used by vulnerable young people who may be at risk of sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation and trafficking.
A message for North Weald Village Life readers "It has been a year like none other. Through all the difficulties, however, the most heartening thing has been the way in which the local community of North Weald has come together to look after each other – people helping those at risk by shopping for them, walking dogs, phoning to keep each other company, being good neighbours in the most important sense.
Young people often gravitate towards stations because they are anonymous places that also provide some form of shelter and access to food and drink. A young person may use a station or form of public transport in an attempt to disappear. Bus and rail networks can also be used by offenders to traffic young people for the purpose of sexual and criminal exploitation. As well as members of the public, all staff working within and around a station, from ticket collectors to engineers, coffee shop workers to cleaners, play an important role in safeguarding vulnerable young people. Operation Henderson is an ongoing campaign and targeted work with local business will resume when appropriate to do so.
This is something we must hold on to once the storm has passed. As I write this in early November, Covid-19 is surging once more – and we do not yet know how Christmas will be – though it is clear it will be a little different. However you celebrate this year, please continue the wonderful work you have done taking care of those around you – there is nothing more fitting for the season. Happy Christmas."
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North Weald Rave On the evening of Saturday 21st November,, an unofficial music
event was held in North Weald which attracted many people coming to the village from Kent, London and other areas of Essex. Essex Police attended and stopped the event and fir the next hour, groups of people wee seen in the High Road, some fleeing up alleyways and walking up Church Road. The Police helicopter flew overhead in the early hours. The next morning Essex Pokice confirmed that five people were arrested and 12 given fines as officers shut down an unlicensed music event in North Weald which was a clear and blatant breach of the Government’s COVID-19 regulations. They had received intelligence about an event planned in the CM16 postcode and put in place a dispersal order covering parts of Epping, Theydon Bois, Thornwood, North Weald Bassett, and Epping Green. Officers attended a location in High Road at around 11pm on Saturday 21 November) following reports of a large number of people there. They found an unlicensed music event taking place in an abandoned farm building and took action to break it up and disperse those there. Five people – men aged between 19 and 27 from Kent and London – were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Coronavirus Act, 12 others were fined, and sound equipment and a generator was seized. The event was shut down by the early hours of Sunday morning and officers stayed in the area to maintain a visible presence and deter people from coming back. Superintendent Richard Melton said: “This was a clear and blatant breach of the Government’s COVID-19 regulations and posed a risk to the health of those attending through the spread of the virus. “As well as the risk of spreading COVID-19, going to unlicensed music events risks your welfare through the drug taking and violence we know takes place and you could be targeted by criminals we know go to them.
“Our approach has always been to engage with people, explain the regulations, and encourage them to do the right thing. “If that’s not successful, and it’s necessary and appropriate to do so, we’ll then take enforcement action. “I appreciate these are challenging times for everyone but we all have a personal responsibility to keep each other safe. “Where our officers have attend and deal with blatant breaches like this, it takes them away from being able to tackle other issues and affects our ability to respond to other incidents. “Most people in Essex continue to do the right thing and I want to thank you for that. Following the regulations means we can do what we do best – help people, keep people safe, and catch criminals.” Page 11
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Wear a jolly jumper for charity St Clare hospice is calling on local schools and businesses to ‘don a jolly jumper’ in aid of their annual Christmas Jumper Day – to help raise vital funds that pay for essential palliative and end of life care within the community. St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood will host its annual Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 11th December 2020, when dozens of local people will dress in their favourite, festive knits to support the cause. “Every year, our St Clare Christmas Jumper Day raises hundreds of pounds to fund care and support for local people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness – and their families, as well as those facing grief and loss” says Community Fundraising Manager at St Clare, Dani De’Ath.
“This year, more than ever, we need the support of our local schools, businesses and community groups as we face the difficulties of fundraising during the coronavirus pandemic – and when our frontline services are needed more than ever. Christmas Jumper Day is a great way to celebrate the festive season in your local community, and is something we can all do, even with the necessary COVID restrictions in place. Whether you are social distancing, working from home, or having a virtual Christmas party this year – you can still do it whilst wearing your favourite festive jumper! Your support will mean more than ever to the people we support who are facing death, dying and loss.” St Clare Hospice suggests that participants donate just £1 to the charity for wearing their Christmas jumper – in the same style as a traditional ‘non-uniform’ day at school. If your school, workplace or community group is willing to take part to support your local hospice, please get in touch with the St Clare fundraising team on 01279 77350 or email fund@stclarehospice.org.uk
Graffiti will cost "thousands of pounds" to remove Graffiti daubed on the Parish Hall at Thornwood Common and play equipment in the play area - including on the safety surface - will cost "thousands of pounds" to remove and repair, the parish council has been told.
Violin for Sale
Monday's council meeting heard that it was understood police had identified the youngsters responsible from images from the council's new CCTV system.
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Several councillors asked whether the cost of the damage could be recovered from the youngsters' parents.
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IMPORTANT
Defibrillators Recently I understand defibrillators from both Thornwood and North Weald have been needed to help people who have become unwell whilst awaiting emergency services. So to ensure all residents are aware of the location of our defibrillators, here are the details. Once you ring emergency services to inform them of someone needing emergency assistance, they will give you the code required to access the defibrillator looked in coded cabinets.
North Weald:- Outside the Methodist Church Hall.
Thornwood—Outside the Parish Hall.
Cabinet approves business support At an Epping Forest District Council cabinet meeting held in November , Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Customer Services, Sam Kane confirmed the implementation of three new grants, being made available on the Council website . These are as follows:•
Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses) - Applies to those businesses that have had to close under the national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 2020. This applies to the current national measures and any future LCAL 3 (Tier 3) restrictions.
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Local Restrictions Support Grant (for open businesses) - For businesses that can remain open but are severely impacted by the restrictions combatting the spread of COVID-19. It is for those businesses severely impacted but not required to close during LCAL 2&3 (Tier 2&3) restrictions. Aimed at hospitality, hotel, bed and breakfast and leisure businesses. Applies between 17 October and 4 November 2020, when Essex was subject to Tier 2 restrictions on socialising. It will also apply to any future periods of Tier 2 or Tier 3 restrictions.
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Additional Restriction Grant A local discretionary scheme for businesses that remain open but are severely impacted by the current restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19. It can also be for businesses outside the business rates system which are effectively forced to close.
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Housing Projects Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Holly Whitbread updated councillors at an Epping Forest District Council cabinet meeting held in November on phase 5 of the council housebuilding programme before presenting a series of reports to support tenants and improve the local environment of the Council’s housing estates. Among the items presented by Councillor Holly Whitbread, Cabinet approved measures focusing on debt prevention in the rent arrears recovery policy. Further investment of service charges in high quality estate maintenance will take place through closer consultation and collaboration with tenants.
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Remembrance Sunday Despite the pandemic, North Weald still wanted to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Some 20 wreaths were laid at the Norwegian Stone and the Debt of Honour in North Weald on Remembrance Sunday. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions the usual ceremony had to be scaled back this year with parish councillors laying wreaths on behalf of various local organisations, and the Royal Norwegian Defence Attaché. Parish council chairman councillor Alan Buckley laid wreaths on behalf of the parish council, the Royal Norwegian Airforce and 56 Squadron at the Debt of Honour and Norwegian Stone and at the parish war memorial at St Andrew's Church on behalf of the parish council, the Norwegian Airforce and North Weald Chemist. North Weald Bassett parish councillor Anne Grigg laid a wreath at the Norwegian Stone and Debt of Honour on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Defence Attaché and also laid the Community Wreath which was placed on behalf of all those in the community who could not attend the ceremony this year. Among those also laying a wreath at the Debt of Honour were Epping Forest District Council chairman councillor Helen Kane and North Weald county councillor Anthony Jackson. The commemorations at the Norwegian Stone and the Debt of Honour included numerous painted stones which were produced on the theme of Remembrance. St Andrew’s Church held a scaled back ceremony, in line with COVID quidelines, which was videoed kindly by Revd Tom Warrington which you can see on North Weald Village Life website.
Improved estate facilities with a five-year programme of bin store replacement is set to boost the Council’s ambitions to become carbonneutral. It will be especially helpful to tenants, improving and increasing recycling facilities for people living in council flats.
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Christmas Wishes from Continuum
Based in North Weald
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PHOTO GALLERY—Your photos
These photos were taken by Debbie Bryan who regularly sends in her local photos to share with readers.
Not deepest Africa but a Rook with my neighbours’ Blue and Norwegian Spruce trees in Thornwood Common silhouetted in a December sunrise. ã Jimmy Waters
Photo: Andy Peachey
I don’t particularly like jets – especially commercial but this early November morning image shows just how much crap these things throw into our atmosphere.
This photo was taken on a walk in Roughtallys Wood. Obviously a talented carver left it there to ã Jimmy Waters. delight others. It was there for 3 days before it went ‘missing’. Page 17 Tel: 07814 863955 Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk
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Essex Trading Standards has received a number of reports from residents who have received nuisance calls from a company looking to sell a device to stop nuisance calls. Call blocking services can be a useful tool in helping consumers screen out nuisance or unwanted calls. Sadly we are, seeing an increase in the bogus selling of these services.
Consumers are being cold-called by rogue companies using aggressive sales tactics and often offering substandard cold call blockers. Or, worse still, taking their money for no product or service in return. Some fraudsters have claimed to be from the Telephone Preference Service, or to be working with the Government.
Bereavement Support Helpline to continue St Clare Hospice, has secured £100,000 funding from Barclays to continue their Bereavement Support Helpline for the next year. The helpline, 01279 967670, launched in June 2020 in response to a community requirement for immediate emotional support, information and guidance, as the number of local people experiencing bereavement has sadly increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Barclays launched their 100x100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme to support COVID-19 relief work in local communities. The programme, which forms part of their wider COVID-19 Community Aid Package, focuses on supporting UK charity partners who are meeting the immediate needs of people in our communities, including low income families, those facing financial hardship, isolated elderly people and key workers. The Bereavement Support Helpline is run by a team of hospice staff and volunteers, trained to deliver immediate emotional support and practical guidance for those who would like extra support after the loss of someone close. The helpline operates 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, and is open to all local people living in West Essex and East Herts who are bereaved, no matter how long ago their loss was. Patient and Family Support Service Manager at St Clare, Sushma Dhami, said: “Bereavement is never easy, but for many people, navigating grief and loss has been even harder this year. Not only has COVID restrictions meant that visiting loved ones and attending funeral services has been restricted, but after a death people cannot rely on their usual routines and face-to-face support from family and friends due to social distancing.” To access support from St Clare Hospice’s Bereavement Support Helpline, the number to call is 01279 967670.
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Urgent appeal to COVID-19 survivors An urgent appeal to Essex COVID-19 survivors to donate plasma at the new donation centre in Chelmsford has gone out from NHS Blood and Transplant. Plasma – a blood product – collected at the centre will be used in clinical trials to determine whether the antibodyrich blood plasma found in people who’ve had coronavirus, could be an effective treatment for COVID-19. The plasma is transfused into patients who are struggling to develop their own immune response in the hope of slowing or stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives. Anyone aged 18 or over who has had COVID-19 can offer to donate blood plasma. It’s easy, taking just 45 minutes and the whole appointment, including time for snacks, lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. More male and BAME donors are needed as their plasma is more likely to contain the higher levels of antibodies required. People who needed hospital treatment for COVID-19 are especially likely to have high antibody levels. If you’ve had confirmed coronavirus or any symptoms, you can volunteer today to donate plasma at the NHS website or simply search online for ‘donate plasma’.
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Buying online In the run up to what is going to be a very different Christmas, with lockdowns and people worried about shopping, wearing a mask and keeping a distance. lots of us might be purchasing goods online when perhaps we might ordinarily be visiting Epping or Harlow. Essex Trading Standards is reminding residents to take care when purchasing goods online and to take steps to be sure that you are shopping and paying online. Here is some advice from Essex Trading Standards:Pay securely - No matter where you’re shopping, always use a secure form of payment. This means opt for a credit card, a debit card, or even PayPal over any direct money transfers. Make sure you know if you are buying from outside the UK and whether its likely the item will arrive. Does the business have a returns policy? - make sure you read it before proceeding to payment. Don't rush any purchase! Take extra care this year when purchasing electrical goods online especially if you can see the trader is based outside the EU – as there are often instances of safety issues particularly around plugs and chargers. If you need advice on your consumer rights when purchasing in store or on-line contact Citizens Advice on 0808 2231133
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Christmas at home—the true spirit of Christmas This year, many people are thinking of Christmas even earlier than usual, some people put their decorations up in early November. It’s not surprising really considering the year we have had.
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However, I hope that we focus on the true spirit of Christmas, remembering our neighbours and not spending money we haven’t got. For this reason, here are some ideas of things to do that don’t have to cost a lot of money. • •
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For mulled wine - For mulled wine, simply heat red wine with spices and an orange or a lemon. Make paper chains. Use coloured paper, leftover wrapping paper or print out Christmas designs from the internet Send your kids’ letters to Santa to: Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XMA 5HQ and Royal Mail will organise a free reply. Just make sure you send the letter (in a stamped, addressed envelope) before Sunday 6th December with the Weather permitting, check out some of the festive Christmas lights or decorations on the village . It's not only free and super festive, but a great way to get some fresh air and some festive exercise. When you get home, you could treat yourself with a homemade hot chocolate. Memory Jar - Find an empty jar and fill it with notes of
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some memories you and perhaps a special someone have shared. Sometimes we can’t remember everything, but it’s special when someone does. Who doesn’t love cookies? Set aside a day to dedicate to baking and decorating Christmas cookies as a family. This fun Christmas activity is sure to be a family favourite. Make Paper Snowflake – this is something I used to do a lot as a child. Get your kids in the crafting mode by allowing them to make paper snowflakes. Allow them to hang them inside their bedrooms and around the house. Play Christmas music to make this an even more festive family Christmas activity. Paper chains – again another childhood Christmas activity and something I did with my girls when they were young. Make strips from wrapping paper, coloured paper or even magazine pages – cut them into strips. Make a circle by jining the ends and fasten with sellotape. Then loop another strip through this circle, fasten and keep on until you have made it long enough.
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Town council supports
menorah idea Epping Town Council is supporting a request for a public menorah in Epping - and is suggesting it is located on the green outside the former Argus Lighting shop. The request was made to Epping Forest District Council by Rabbi Yossi Posen who had suggested the piazza, near the water fountain. However this location was dismissed by the town council for various reasons, including because it is in the area used by the Monday market, because of electricity issues as there are no ground electrics on the piazza and because of concerns that it may get lost next to the annual 25ft Christmas tree.
June, Natalie, Kate, Rev Tom, Rachel, Tracey & Will North Weald Volunteers Would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas If anybody is worried or feeling alone, or needs help At any time, please give us a call. Just email us at hello@northwealdvillagelife.co.UK or call us on any of the numbers June 07814 863955 Natalie 07795 246488 Kate 07951 48480 Rev. Tom 07895 712954 Will 07581 746052 Tracey 07868 846097 Rachel 07789 905845
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The town council favours the grassed area outside the former Argus Lighting shop as a prominent location away from any potential roadside damage and where it can be seen on the approaches into the town. Rabbi Posen had suggested the verge near the mini-roundabout for a 1.8m menorah with a 1.2m wide base however "something slightly bigger" may be preferable if it had to be located further back from the road. Town clerk Beverley Rumsey said the district council would progress the proposal.
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CHURCH CHAT Christmas isn’t cancelled I’m writing this in early November and at the moment none of us have any idea of what Christmas will look like this year. I’ve just watched a supermarket TV advert, which was all about the importance of spending Christmas together, with those we love. No doubt – they filmed it in July, back when we all hoped the coronavirus would be over by now and Christmas would be normal. Sadly, whatever happens in the weeks before you get to read this, it’s looking unlikely that Christmas will be normal for any of us. If we are unable to enjoy the parties with friends and the big family gatherings we are used to it will be deeply sad. It will be sad to think that there will be more people who, this year, will spend Christmas alone. I am sure we will find ways to ensure those around us know that they are loved. We can still check in on our neighbours – perhaps some chocolates for the elderly person who lives nearby or some flowers for the person who won’t get to see their family this year. This will help, but it still won’t be the same. Two thousands years ago, Christmas began with a star shining brightly in a night sky that wasn’t polluted by light such as ours is now. The star shone and everyone could see it. Everyone could see that something was changing, something was shifting, hope and light and love were coming into the world in a tiny baby, born to a teenager in the dirt and dust of Bethlehem. But to Mary and Joseph, things probably didn’t seem too hopeful or normal then either. There was nothing normal about the first Christmas and yet beneath the surface something was changing. The star was still shining, spreading light into the gloom for everyone to see. •
Kitchens and bedrooms supplied and fitted to your specification
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It won’t surprise you to know that I believe that that light continues to shine in the midst of our darkness. The light and love of Jesus is as bright now as it ever was. Sometimes, though, it’s harder to see. If everything does gets stripped away this Christmas, and if nothing is normal, maybe that light will find new and surprising ways to reach us – just as it did on that first Christmas.
•
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Don’t give up. The light of Jesus is still shining. Christmas in 2020 might not be normal, but it certainly isn’t cancelled. Merry Christmas. Rev Tom x
For a free estimate contact:Roger Linsdall Telephone: 01992 523277 Or mobile: 07980 555147
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At the time of writing our new, informal church service for Sunday mornings has moved online during lockdown. We hope to be back to meet in person in the church hall (old Scribbles building) on 6th December at 10am, but keep an eye on our new facebook page (www.facebook.com/ northwealdchurch) . We’d love to meet you.
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Slurry Tanker Stuck in Ditch in Upland Road, Thornwood Common!
Stricken tanker to the rear behind a ‘Thunderbird’ tanker at the scene. A William Gilder slurry tanker supplying slurry to Hayleys Manor Farm’s slurry lake situated off Upland Road, Epping Upland, left the road and slid into a ditch on a mud-strewn Upland Road, Thornwood Common causing traffic chaos amongst the on-going broadband installation roadworks. The road was blocked for hours.
FOR SALE Bicycle for sale - Universal All Terrain, 18 Shimano gears, 26" wheel bike including pump. £60 01992-575950
Upland Road is a narrow road. These huge tankers regularly leave the road and stray onto and are destroying our pavements and verges ever since EFDC planners permitted their use. We have to pay for the repairs! Upland Road has a 7.5-ton weight limit that appears to be disregarded by all.
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EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY – PLANS CHANGED DUE TO 2ND LOCKDOWN In common with many other organisations the Railway has had to amend its proposed Christmas schedule to comply with new government guidelines. The customers concerned were contacted and, in most cases, alternative arrangements have been made. The government expects the current restrictions to be lifted in time for the main Christmas season and our Epping Ongar Light Fantastic Trains are now scheduled to commence on 3 December and run on selected dates up to 10 January. There is limited availability and early booking is essential. Santa Specials should commence on 5 December and run up until Christmas Eve. Currently these trains are fully booked. Please see our website at www.eorailway.co.uk for the latest information on both events. Unfortunately, our previously advertised Class 47 running day, with 47635, on 17 October was unable to run due to a technical failure of the locomotive. 47635 was used on the day to heat the train but motive power was supplied by our Class 37. Repairs have since been undertaken and the 47 is again operational. Santa at North Weald in 2019 Photo: Keith Valla Most of our volunteers continued to work during the 2nd lockdown, in accordance with government guidelines, and prepare the Railway for the busy Christmas and New Year season ahead. If you would like to join us and assist with our operational or maintenance programmes, please contact: membership@eorailway.co.uk On behalf of the Epping Ongar Railway, I wish all our readers a Happy Christmas and a virus free New Year. Robert Good, Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society, robertg@eorailway.co.uk
Festive food for your pets Most people love Christmas, and pets are no exception! With decorations, presents, food and more people at hone, you must be careful as Christmas can be hazardous for your pets. Festive food is delicious to us but to our pets much of it is highly toxic and dangerous. Listed below are some of the foods that can make your pet unwell and very sick:• Chocolate • Mince pies • Christmas pudding • Onion gravy • Alcohol • Bones from carcasses are a dangerous choking hazard. The good news is that skinless and boneless white meat such as turkey is okay for dogs and cats, but be careful that it's not covered in fat, salt or gravy. It's best to keep to your pets eating their appropriate food. If you want to treat your pet to some festive bites, here are some ideas for some treats and snacks that they will enjoy and many of us have some of these in our fridge, so you don’t need to buy any• Cucumber • Cauliflower • Broccoli • Carrot • Apple (without the core) • Strawberries • Sugarsnap peas • Plain chicken (cooked, no bones) • Boiled egg (chopped) • Fish (cooked) Page 26
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Real Christmas Trees, Potted Christmas trees, Fibre Optic Trees, Christmas Lights, Indoor/Outdoor Xmas Decorations, Christmas Gifts, Plant Displays, Winter Flowering Plants, Trees & Shrubs, Coal, Calor Gas, Logs
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Gardening Hints for December Well winter is well underway and I am sitting here thinking how can it be nearly Christmas, where has this year gone? We have had a fairly mild and very wet Autumn and my summer baskets, pots and tubs continued to flower right into November. When planting winter flowering pots and tubs make sure they are lifted off the ground so the water can freely drain from the pot. If the pot is set directly on the patio or step, the holes could become blocked and this causes the container to become waterlogged thus drowning your plants and during hard frosts the water will freeze, expand and crack your pots. Protect any tender plants you want to keep from frost by wrapping them in fleece. If you have tender plants in pots you could move to a more sheltered site against the house or in extreme cold, move into a shed, cold conservatory or porch. I like to prune my roses down by approximately a third in December, this helps prevent wind rock during the windy winter months. Roses can then be pruned properly in March/April. Rake up any leaves affected by blackspot and dispose of, do not put them on a compost heap. If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse and you are overwintering fuchsias and geraniums, keep them on the dry side and on sunny or mild days open the vents to allow for circulation, this is very important to prevent damping of. During dry spells when the ground is not too wet during December and January, it is great on the vegetable plot to introduce well rotted manure. This can help break down large clods and introduce well needed nutrients, your plants will love it. I will be selling a large selection of non drop Christmas trees from the last week of November. If you are fussy and require a certain shape or size, it is always advisable to come early. You can then purchase your perfect tree and take it home. Stand in a bucket of water outside until you are ready to bring it in and decorate it. By leaving it in water it will rehydrate itself by sucking up plenty of moisture, this will keep it fresh for the whole Christmas period indoors. I cant leave the last publication of North Weald Village Life 2002 without giving thanks to people directly or indirectly who have helped with the continuing success of Art Nursery. Firstly, June Peachey Editor of this fine magazine who has continually supported us and has created an excellent magazine which in turn leads to a very good community spirit, Lisa my helper over the last few years who has helped create a very good rapport with the public in the Garden Centre and also by starting our Facebook page which has been wonderful for advertising and also spreading knowledge. Unfortunately Lisa has moved out of the area and is no longer at the Nursery, she will be sorely missed by Irene, me and the public and we wish her well in all she does in the future. Lastly without you, the customers, we would not have a business at all. During this very difficult year, without your support we would not have survived. It was fantastic the way local people rallied and supported us, a small independent business, Irene and I are truly grateful for this support during this strange year and it has made a massive difference to us. We would like to wish all of our customers, old and new, a very healthy and happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Cheers (with a sloe gin in hand) Nigel (Art Nursery Garden Centre)
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New Dementia Project oped by Joyce Simard in the USA, for people with advanced St Clare Hospice is launching a new dementia project to support dementia. The word ‘Namaste’ is a Hindi greeting that means to people living with advanced dementia, and their carers, across ‘honour the spirit within,’ and is the guiding principle of Namaste West Essex and East Hertfordshire. Care.” The Namaste Care Dementia Support project aims to train and Part of the training course will include providing attendees with empower both unpaid carers and paid care staff to deliver higha Namaste Care box of resources, to enable them to practice quality, compassionate care to local people living with advanced Namaste Care techniques with the person they care for. One of dementia. those items will be a ‘Twiddlemuff’ – a knitted, handheld comThe first training course will be delivered in January 2021 by forter that offers a special way to engage and comfort a person St Clare’s dedicated team of Namaste Champions, who will also with dementia, who often have restless hands. Twiddlemuffs offer ongoing peer support and monthly group sessions to all provide a great source of visual, tactile and sensory stimulation, those who have attended the Namaste Care course. whilst keeping the hands busy, as well as warm. Community Engagement Manager at St Clare Hospice, Sally Muylders, is leading the project and said: “We’re delighted to be St Clare Hospice is appealing for launching this new project, dedicated to supporting those living local people to knit and donate with advanced dementia, and their family and carers. The Na- Twiddlemuffs to be distributed maste Care training course will give both unpaid, informal car- through the Namaste Care proers, looking after a friend or family member, and paid carers gramme. You can find more deworking in care homes and day centres, the skills and tools to tails, and download a free knitting pattern, on their website deliver high-quality and compassionate care.” here: stclarehospice.org.uk/ “This pilot project will be delivered virtually because of COVID, Namaste-care-dementiabut we see this is an advantage because we know that those support caring for people with dementia are some of the most isolated in our communities, and this will offer an opportunity to bring them If you are caring for someone with advanced dementia, and together and offer support – at a time when we’ve had to stay would like to meet others and learn about Namaste Care together, St Clare Hospice would love to hear from you. The first trainapart.” ing course (free to attend) starts in January 2021. For more Explaining the Namaste Care approach, Sally said: “Namaste information contact Sally on 07398 714405 Care is an internationally-recognised care programme, devel or emailsally.muylders@stclarehospice.org.uk
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DEADLINES Please send News, Events, features, letters articles to me via post or email (see below) to reach me on or before the deadline Deadline for next issue: - 10th December 2020 Deadline for December issue: 10th January 2021
Christmas 2020 Despite it being a truly troubled and difficult year, the end is now so very very near. With a vaccine promised so soon, hopefully ending the hold that Covid has had on us, Maybe now we can start to believe in a future that’ll be filled with a normality in which trust. Especially with Christmas approaching in a time we so desperately need happiness and cheer, It could be the one thing so many of us have been waiting for to stop the gloom and sadness we all fear. We must all still be careful and follow the current rules, As to think we have already beaten this virus would show us all up as fools.
Though nothing can ever destroy Christmas and all its related fun, So sorely needed by a country and indeed everyone. Please all enjoy this festive feeling that we all so dearly need, Still giving what you can to those less fortunate, at a time when we can get caught up in greed. Mixing where we are allowed, with those we have not seen for so long, Exchanging laughter and stories, that until now we thought had all gone. Then maybe we can bring an end, to this awful year and finish it on a high, One to which we have all contributed to, with every lockdown day that went by. Giving a happy Christmas to all and the gift of better times As we remember what was, a long with a better future promised as Big Ben proudly chimes.
Source: Andy—resident poet. Summarising the Christmas we will all hopefully get to enjoy one way or another.
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Citizens Advice: Support for working people There are two main measures put in place by the government to support working people affected by coronavirus. For employees it is the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, commonly known as furlough. That will pay up to 80% of a worker’s wages, up to a maximum of £2500 per month. The scheme will run until the end of March 2021, with a review in January. People can work parttime and be furloughed the rest of the time. Anyone who was made redundant or stopped work after 23 September can be reemployed and furloughed. For self-employed people there is the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, which has now been extended to the end of April 2021. You can use the scheme if you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership.Your self-employed profits must not be more than £50,000 per year and they must make up at least half of your total income. The government will look at your tax returns to see if you’re eligible - if you’re not sure you can check the rules on the government website – GOV.UK. You’ll also have to: have been affected by coronavirus - you won’t need to provide evidence of this when you apply have done self-employed work in the tax year 2019-20 have been planning to do self-employed work in the present tax year 2020-21. You’ll probably also need to have done self-employed work in the tax year 2018-19 and submitted your tax return. If you didn’t do self-employed work in 2018-19 you should check the scheme rules on GOV.UK. If you are from overseas and subject to a restriction in your passport saying “no access to public funds” you can still use the scheme for as long as your visa allows you to work in the UK. To obtain a grant from this extended Scheme you have to meet the conditions set out above (although you don’t have to have claimed any earlier grants), declare that you intend to continue to trade and either: • are currently actively trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus, or • were previously trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus. The extension will last for six months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in two lump sum instalments each covering a three month period. The first will cover the period from 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021. The Government will provide a grant calculated at 80% of three months average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500 in total. This is an increase from the previously announced amount of 55%. The next grant will cover February 2021 to April 2021. The Government will set out further details, including the level of support, in due course. The grants are taxable and also subject to National Insurance contributions. If you are claiming Universal Credit you will find the grants are treated as income. This may mean that in the months following payment you will not be entitled to Universal Credit payments. The online service for the next grant will be available from 30 November 2020. Contacting Citizens Advice: We have a telephone service available from 9.30 to 2.30, Tuesday to Thursday. If we are busy you will be connected to a backup service elsewhere in the country and if they can’t deal with your issue they will arrange for one of our advisers to phone you back. The number is 0300 330 2107. It costs no more than a local call. Source: Paul Stockton
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Bobbin’ with the Robin
I must admit it has been a strange year this time. Not Well it’s that time of year again when the humans only with the humans hiding away for months but the begin to decorate their nests with those coloured light wet and dreary winter and the very hot, dry summer. It bulbs and attempt a bit of indoor gardening by planting has certainly taken a toll? a small example of a spruce tree from the land they call Norway. Strange thing is the trees never seem to last very long inside their nests and are soon discarded to a place called the tip or unceremoniously dumped in the countryside. If only they would plant them outside in their gardens (after realizing they will grow to some 35 of their feet in height over about 20 years) then they could see that other wildlife will reap the benefits. From the ants and aphids that travel up and down the trunk to the ladybirds and birds like blue tits, great tits, woodpeckers and goldcrests that will feed on them and other insects.
Here’s something to get your beaks into – who needs Christmas pudding? It also amuses me to see humans place a figurine of themselves (usually an overweight male) made from what should be snow but is actually some stuff called Anyway, bye for now! Enjoy your holiday and rememplastic, wearing minimalist clothing and having a carrot ber to put something out for us wildlife as you stuff and coal for facial features, outside their nests, that your faces this Christmas! also lights up! Happy New Year to all! I’ve also heard tell of effigies of myself (understandable as I am known – hem, hem, as your National Bird) also placed outside humans’ nests – but Lighting Up! Come on now!
Rockin’ Robin I would like to wish everybody a happy & healthy Christmas. June Editor
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BIRD FEATURE - DECEMBER 2020 Welcome to the bird report for the final edition of 2020. We are into late autumn / early winter and although the weather has been mild there is every prospect of a cold snap at some stage in the near future and the birds and other creatures will have to adapt and cope with any worsening conditions. For birds born this year then of course this will be their first taste of winter and not all will survive with the cold adding to all the other risks they have faced in their short lives ... predators, disease, accidental injury (flying into windows, struck by vehicles, flying into power lines etc ...) etc. The end of the year is the time to assess what has been seen (or heard) over the course of the last 12 months. Most years there are roughly 75 or so different species of bird that I note in our area and this year's total is actually slightly higher than normal with a grand total of 81 for 2020. This may even be added to if I can spot one or two different species over the next few weeks. Having recently seen my first Raven in the area I have now added another 'first' for North Weald ... Egyptian Goose. A pair of this very handsome species has been frequenting the area in mid November. This species originates from Egypt funnily enough and was well regarded by the ancient Egyptian civilization. They were particularly noted in the Nile area. Although called a goose they are in fact ducks and are related to the native Shelduck. There is an established feral population of this species in England with the stronghold being East Anglia. Their presence in the UK comes from escapees from wildfowl collections.
There are good numbers of gulls to be seen locally, most are Black-headed Gulls with a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Common Gulls. I have seen flocks of 100+ in addition to smaller groups. You may recall that last winter we seemed to have particularly large gatherings of gulls in our area, often 200 - 300 strong, normally targeting damp farmland where they will prey on worms, beetles and other creatures. A flock of gulls flying quietly overhead in strung out V formations can be a very evocative sight with their ability to fly on in even the stormiest conditions. Don't forget - if it is a large gull then round here it is likely to be Lesser Black-backed, if it is medium size then it is likely to be a Common Gull and if it is that bit smaller then you will be looking at the most common species, the Black-headed. Although the weather has yet to turn wintry there have been reasonable numbers of the winter thrushes, Redwing and Fieldfare, with as many as 30 - 40 in roaming flocks from time to time. There have been more sightings of parakeets, as many as 6 but mostly 2-3 and the occasional single. I understand some locals have had them using their bird feeders, they are big and aggressive and can easily out-compete smaller species such as Blue Tits and Great Tits. There has been a steady spread of this species in the South East and with a well established roost in the Leyton area there has long been the chance of more and more turning up in our area. Rooks and Jackdaws are often to be seen flying over the village with particularly large flocks at dusk as they set off noisily for their overnight roosts. I haven't seen any Red Kites for a few weeks, there have been sporadic reports of them in Essex and other parts of East Anglia but the pair that was turning up around here throughout spring and summer has dispersed to another area. That is not to say that there won't be occasional sightings over the next few weeks but they may be few and far between. Going back to that total of 81 species for the year, that is about right for an area such as ours. The local area has some residential developments, plenty of farmland, some reasonable tree cover and a few scrubby and open areas such as Weald Common or the disused golf course, with a small extent of water habitats. A large lake or reservoir and near the coast would dramatically increase the number of species we could expect to see. Some of the best bird reserves in the UK can have species lists in excess of 150, nearly double what we can reasonably hope to note in North Weald. But for a local village area, with surprisingly good public access to the countryside, this is a more than adequate place for those interested in wildlife. A wander around the area can bring some good sightings, it is just a question of being aware and alert. Dedicated birdwatchers can visit one of the top reserves in the UK, armed with top of the range optics and see 100 or more birds in one day, but there is just as much pleasure in wandering around the local area and spotting what you can. I do go out with a pair of binoculars from time to time but some of my best sightings have been when just walking past Weald Common to go and get a paper from the shop.
If you get a chance to get out and about then keep your eyes and ears open, you just never know what may come by. And don't forget that even familiar species can be worth looking out for, brightening the day with a splash of colour, a burst of song or a dash of action. Only a few days ago I saw a bat flying about near Weald Common. It was bigger than the normal bats I see locally and was flying quite high. A quick check of the Essex bat group website showed that it was a Noctule bat, the first I have knowingly seen and indeed it was back again the following late afternoon. Seeing wildlife is interesting in itself and it is enhanced when you are able to identify what it is that you have been looking at. Of course our gardens can be our own 'patch' for nature watching and if you provide a feeding station then you can attract even more wildlife into your domain. Anyway, there is plenty out there, you just have to be alert to what is around the area. The daylight hours are shrinking and the weather is worsening but you can still enjoy the natural history and this will also make you more aware of the need to protect the environment. All the best. Paul Corbet.
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Essential Local Numbers The Alzheimer Society
01992 717676
North Weald Chemist
01992 523887
Cats Protection
0333 200 1484
North Weald Methodist Hall
01992 522143
Citizens Advice Bureau
03444 77 0808
North Weald Library
033301 32683
Crimestoppers
0800 555111
North Weald Village Hall Bookings
01992 523731 www.northwealdvillagehall.org/
Doctors High Street, Epping
01992 579270
North Weald Parish Council
01992 523825
Doctors The Limes, Epping (visits/emergencies)
01992 566500
Queens Community Hall Bookings
07522 473024
Doctors The Limes, Epping (appointments)
01992 573838
NHS Urgent help & advice
111
Doctors The Limes, North Weald 01992 524383
Essex Police
0300 333 4444
Epping Forest District Council
01992 564000
Police, Neighbourhood/local
101
Epping Town Council
01992 579444
Police, Emergency
999
EFDC & ECC Cllr Chris White-
01992 573557
Police Online reporting
www.essex.police.uk/doitonline
MP Alex Burghart
0207 2191613
RSPCA
01279 306058
Samaritans 24 Hours a day
116 123
Stuart Poulton
01992 522607
24 Hour
01992 572607
alex.burghart.mp@ parliament.uk
MP Mrs Eleanor Laing MP
020 8508 8608
MP For Thornwood
Eleanor.Laing.mp@parliament.uk
Hospital, St Margarets, Epping
01992 561666
Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow
01279 444455
St Andrews Church
01992 577168
London & Essex Boarding Ken-
01992 522183
St Andrews Primary School
01992 522283
North Weald Airfield
01992 564200
Traveline
0870 6082608
LOCAL CLUB DIRECTORY 3rd North Weald Beavers
North Weald Preservation Society
Queens Hall Charity
Tel: 01992 524672
Tel: read 01992 522618/522630
Tel: 522910
British Legion, North Weald Branch
North Weald Cricket Club
Rapier Cycling Club
Tel: 01992 614415
Northweald.play-cricket.com
Tel: 524631
Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer
North Weald Scouts Group
Taoist Tai Chi Society
Tel: 01277 365200
01992 524672
Tel: 01992 523854/07803243625
Harlow Badger Group
Theydon Jazz Club
Tel: 07941 185171
North Weald Seniors Society for over 70’s
Friends Force Hertfordshire/Essex
Tel: 522196
Thornwood Seniors
Tel: 522464
Tel: 577872
Epping Forest Rotary Club
North Weald Wireless Station Bowls Club
Tel: 07855 911323
Tel: 522803
Forest Highlanders Pipes & Drum
North Weald Women’s Institute (Afternoon)
Tel: 01279 415563 www.3valleymvc.org.uk
Tel: 01708 250820
Tel: 522700
West Essex Flower Club
North Weald Angling Club
Queens Hall Bowls Club
Tel: 524631
Tel: 01992 522303
Tel: 523375 or 522052
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01945 588325/davedyer24@gmail.com
Three Valleys Male Voice Choir
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