North Weald Village Life Strengthening the Community
FREE North Weald Bassett Community Magazine
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Issue: 192 AUGUST 2022 www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk Email: june@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk
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I would like to say thank you to… It goes without saying that I would like to say thank you to my mum & dad, my friends, my relatives—hang on I think I have got carried away, I am not at an award ceremony. I am however celebrating and I should be saying thank you to YOU, all my readers, advertisers, contributors, supporters etc. I
16 years of monthly magazine issues, during the lockdown only two were published online only because of all shops etc being shut, but they were still published.
Cover photo—Celebrating 16 years of North Weald Village Life magazine.
My little girl was only 2 when I published my first magazine and now she is 18. That really puts it in context. All those years ago and here I am still going strong and still publishing my monthly magazine.
What out for...
THANK YOU everybody for your support, for reading the magazine, for sending in letters, photos, events, articles, feedback etc.
4. Brain Teaser 6. & 7. Events 9. Keep your child safe from exploitation 10. Barclays Bank Hub 10. Anti Social Behaviour 12. Safety in a heatwave 17. Drowning Prevention Advice 19. St Clare Hospice seek financial trustee 21. Mains works to J8 M11 23. Met Office confirms hottest day 26. Homes for Ukraine arrivals pass 1,400 33. Gardening Hints 34. Play in the Park 36. Photos of the month 41. Birds Column
What a month July was, with the unbearable heatwave, that I know many people and pets struggled. Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th July were two of the hottest days on record. I know we moan about everything but that really was too hot. The poor dogs despite cool water, cooling mats, fans etc being available, they did struggle. The hamster was so hottoo, despite having his own fan on him, we put a cold cup in the hutch so he could lay in that, cold cloths on the top of the hutch, gave him cold watery foods but he did struggle. I just didn't want to move, the fan was blowing hot air but the real struggle was cooking. Wow—I could not bring myself to cook on the Tuesday, a salad it was for everybody. I could not bear to go into the kitchen and turn the oven on, you were warned against barbequing, quite understandably, so there was no choice. The hot weather and no rain also brings with it other problems, fires. I have never seen so many fire engines with sirens screaming. In this issue you can read about some recent fires and advice on things to do to avoid fires. Just throwing a finished cigarette butt onto dry grassland could be dangerous. Also anybody thinking of celebrating with fireworks really should think again. It is not worth the danger. We had a lovely graduation ceremony in mid July in Canterbury Cathedral, it was very special occasion. My daughter graduated in a fantastic setting, it really is stunning. I hope to take some days off in August to go and visit a few different places, have a rest, read a book and have a picnic—simple things but mean so much.
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August Issue Page No.
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.
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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AUGUST BRAIN TEASER—Win a bottle of wine! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Results Jobs Work Interview Smart Travel Train Bus Walk Team Salary Hopes Intern University Fresher Halls
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Thank you to S. Williams and well done for winning the Summer Brain Teaser. Just search and find the words, ring them and then send your completed wordsearch to me by 20th August. Please send it to:August Brain Teaser, NWVL, 49 York Road, North Weald, CM16 6HU. This month’s prize is a bottle of wine. Don’t forget to include your name, telephone no and email address and home address.
9.30am 9.30am on
18.30
MIDWEEK MADNESS Full Body CIRCUIT TRAINING 6.30pm—7.30pm—Wednesday £7.00 Per Person Bantham & Ongar Bowls Club (Behind Talbot Restaurant)
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PLUS Pick any TWO classes a week for you to attend and you will only have to pay £10 for the TWO!!
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A dog is rescued by Firefighters Firefighters rescued a dog in Harlow from a house roof on the afternoon of 23rd July. Control teams were alerted after neighbours spotted the dog which had climbed out of a window of the property while its owners were out and become stuck on a pitched porch roof before crews arrived. Firefighters worked to safely lower the animal using ropes and a high rise bag. Liam Foss, Crew Manager at Harlow, said: "The dog had managed to get on some furniture, jump out of the window and then found himself on the porch. "We did everything we could to make sure he was down as quickly as possible. Once we'd got him down, he was a bit dehydrated having been in the direct sunlight for so long. Thankfully, the owners arrived soon after we're just glad that he's okay!" The dog was safely back on the ground by 12.50pm and was unharmed. Source & Photographs: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Ofsted revisit finds Essex has made sufficient progress in improving SEND services Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have recently published their final report following a revisit to Essex Education, Health and Care SEND services. The report confirms that Essex is making sufficient progress to address the areas of weakness previously identified and that ongoing external monitoring is no longer required. The revisit, which took place between 17th and 19thMay 2022, follows a previous inspection between 30th September and 4th October 2019. Children, young people, parents and carers had an opportunity to share their views about SEND services in Essex during both visits, either via a meeting, phone call or online survey. These were considered as part of the evaluation and helped to inform the final report. Key highlights from the report include:
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Better partnerships working between health and education organisations.
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Improvements in the accurate identification of SEND for children and young people.
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Progress made in the co-production of Education Health and Care plans across health, social care and education.
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If you run a community event or charity event, don’t forget to let me know so I can share the details with readers—just email me June@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk
North Weald Allstars Jazz Session 1st Saturday of each month
Don’t forget to send details of any events you are holding in the local the area.
12pm onwards Tickets available on the door—£12
Memory Café 4U Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month—10am—12pm This is a free event At St James’ Church Hall, Ongar Welcoming café especially for those with varying degrees of memory issues and those who love and care for them. Enjoy activities, bingo and more.
Hawaiian Open Day Tuesday 9th August Cunningham House 2pm—4pm Come along and meet staff and residents, as well as local residents and members of the local community
Coffee, cake & care Ploughman’s Lunch Held in the North Weald Village Hall Starts at 12.00 Every Second Saturday each month - This is organised for the the benefit of the Senior Citizens Society, a North Weald institution.
Tuesday 16th August 10.30am – 1.30pm North Weald Methodist Church Raising funds for St Clare. Including stationery & jewellery stalls.
NEW Community Thornwood Market Saturday 6th august 2022 9.30 – 1pm Thornwood village hall Lots of different styles including food, local artisans
Don’t forget the Summer Reading Challenge The challenge for children is to read six library books of their choice over the summer. Fiction, non-fiction, picture books or books they share with parents and carers – they all count. After. reading their six books, children earn their Gadgeteers certificate and medal. There’s even a special version of Gadgeteers for children under three years old. The challenge runs until Saturday 3rd September in all Essex libraries and mobile libraries.
Copy Deadline for Event Details For the September Issue—20th August
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Planning Applications Application No: EPF/1297/22 Officer: Loredana Ciavucco Location: Glovers Barn, Glovers Lane, Hastingwood, Essex, CM17 9LA Proposal: New bedroom extension at side of barn Application No: EPF/1297/22 Officer: Robin Hellier Location: 30 Tempest Mead, North Weald Bassett, Epping, CM16 6D Proposal: NTPO/EPF/40/98 (Ref: G1 & T19-T21) T1: Ash – Crown lift, as specified. T2: Hornbeam, T3: Oak & T4: Oak - Reduce lateral limbs, as specified. T5: Oak – Reduce overhanging limb, as specified. Any representations on applications must be made in writing before 15th August 2022
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 or E: appcomment@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
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Help keep your children safe from online exploitation this summer Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) launches their campaign for parents and carers to help spot signs of online exploitation over the summer. As the summer holidays approach and more time is spent outside, away from technology, online safety may be far from people’s minds. However, devices and smartphones are rarely left behind and child exploitation doesn’t disappear for the summer. Parents and carers must remain aware of their child’s internet use over the summer – as much as any other time of year. Children may see friends less over the holidays due to other family commitments and, if feeling isolated, they may turn increasingly to their devices. This could increase the risk of online harms such as grooming, accessing inappropriate gaming and chat forums, as well as affecting their emotional wellbeing. The Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) and partners are sharing resources to help parents ensure their children are safe. The ESCB website—www.escb.co.uk has resources for parents, carers and professionals including podcasts, videos, how to report concerns and information about spotting the signs of exploitation.
By creating a supportive environment, where online safety is discussed in the same way as road safety or stranger danger, children will feel more comfortable to speak openly about concerns they may have. Concerns about child exploitation can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555111. There is also a dedicated Police Child Exploitation hotline – for parents, carers and members of the public to seek advice around concerns with regards to criminal and sexual exploitation. You call them on: 01245 452058
Don’t forget to visit our website: www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk Or sign up to the Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/ Northwealdvillagelife
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Barclays Bank Despite the unfortunate closing of the long established Barclays Bank branch in Epping, they haven’t left behind their customers altogether. They will now be available at the Epping Hub based at the Civic Offices (formerly Epping Forest District Council) and they will be able to assist with banking enquiries and any banking digital support, following the closure of their high street branch. There will be no cash or cheques processed at the hub (this can be done at the Post Office in Epping High Street), but staff can help with account servicing, digital demonstrations and upskilling, and open some types of accounts and services. They are available every Wednesday to Friday between 9.30 – 4.30pm. You can book an appointment by visiting— events.uk.barclays/local/ Or you can call them on 0345 7 345 345 (customer services)
Anti Social Behaviour The week commencing 18th July was the start of the second annual Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week. Essex Police know that anti-social behaviour is something which can impact individuals and communities at any time. Police forces across the country are working with Resolve, the UK’s leading ASB and community safety organisation, to ensure that victims are aware of how they can report this crime and how we can help them. Antisocial behaviour is defined as any action where a victim feels harassed, alarmed, distressed or forced into a situation that causes nuisance or annoyance. In Essex, they have seen reports of anti-social behaviour fall in 2022, and they need to make sure this crime type isn’t being underreported so that they can support victims as best as they can. If you want to report non-emergency crime, antisocial behaviour or tell us about suspicious behaviour in your community,Youn can submit a report online or use the Live Chat service. Live Chat is an online service available on the website Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm, where you can send and receive real-time direct messages with an online digital 101 operator. To use the service, select the ‘Live Chat’ icon at the bottom right of your screen when your on our website. It can be accessed from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. We still have our 24-hour 101 service which people can call if they feel it is more appropriate to speak to us or don't have access to the internet. If it's an emergency or someone is in immediate danger please call 999 now. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.
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EHAAT CEO RECEIVES HONORARY
DEGREE A special moment in the CEO of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Jane Gurney’s career took place recently when she received an honorary degree from the University of Essex. In recognition of her dedication to expand and improve pre-hospital care for those in need, Jane is now part of an inspiring list of over 300 people, who since 1967 have been honoured by the University for their contribution to the local community. With proud husband Mark by her side, Jane attended the graduation ceremony, where, following her acceptance of the honorary doctorate, she addressed the students and their guests. Jane has led the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust since 2003 and is the longest serving CEO of the 21 air ambulance charities in the UK. She is truly humbled to have been recognised by the University in this way, and in her speech she said: “If someone had told me 20 years ago, I would be standing here on this stage delivering this speech, I simply wouldn’t have believed them, or thought it even possible. To put into words how much this really means to me is not easy. “It is a real privilege to have led Essex & Herts Air Ambulance through so many milestones over the years, and to work alongside our amazing supporters, our dedicated staff and volunteers and our highly skilled critical care teams. “I work with true experts in their fields, and I trust and value their knowledge and ideas; they inspire me to continually explore ways we can have the courage to innovate and improve patient outcomes. However, it goes without saying our patients and their families are the ones who truly inspire me and my team the most, to continue to deliver our life saving service today and into the future. “They say if you find a job you love you will never work a day in your life, and this is my reality.”
Local plan update At a recent Epping Forest District Council cabinet meeting held on 18th July, Councillor Nigel Bedford also gave a Local Plan update. Following the appointment of a new planning inspector, a further period of consultation on the main modifications will take place later in the year. It is hoped the consultation can be completed during the autumn with a final Local Plan adoption by the end of the year.
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Large Field Fire On 23rd July 2022, Firefighters were called to the scene of a large field fire in Church Road, Ongar just after 1pm. Around four hectares - or 40,000 square metres - of standing corn were alight. Smoke could be seen from some distance away. Firefighters worked hard to surround the fire and prevent it from spreading further. Advice was given to people living and working in the local area to keep your windows and doors closed. Shortly at 3pm, with thanks to the the incredible hard work of firefighting crews, the fire was under control.
Safety in a heatwave advice Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is asking the public to keep fire safety at the front of their minds during a heatwave.
Photo and information Courtesy of Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
The Service has had a busy time dealing with wildfires and fires that have spread quickly due to the hot and dry weather. Area Manager Neil Fenwick said: “Summer is a busy time for us and we need your help to prevent accidental fires. With the weather being so hot and dry, it’s much easier than usual for a fire to start. “First of all, please do not have any bonfires or any campfires. Vegetation in fields and trees at the moment are dangerously dry and bonfires and campfires could quite easily spread into fields. “Not only can they spread along the ground but they can spread quite easily through embers up in the air and travel great distances to be able to start elsewhere. We saw this on a few occasions over a weekend where embers from bonfires and barbecues that had not fully cooled had been picked up in the breeze and caught sheds, decking and even houses alight, making a couple of families homeless. “If you do want to have a barbecue, please make sure you barbecue safely - set barbecues up well away from sheds, trees and fences etc and stay with your barbecue at all times until it has fully cooled. “Please don't use disposable barbecues on the ground, the ground is just too dry and these can quickly turn into wildfires. Pack a picnic instead.” With the risk of wildfires being high, the Fire Service is advising against using fireworks or sky lanterns as part of any celebra-
Neil also said: “Another big cause of fires in hot and dry weather is discarded cigarettes. These are often thrown out of windows or dropped on the floor without a thought, but they can smoulder and catch the tinder dry grass alight quite quickly. “Make sure all cigarettes are properly stubbed out before you dispose of them.” “Please stay safe out there and remember the fire crews and control staff that were working through this hot period to keep you safe.” For more safety advice, visit: essex-fire.gov.uk/ staysafe
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My experience of being a member of a local business network group Being a member of Epping Forest Business Group for the past 3 years has helped me in so many ways. Not only do I have a platform to share my business...gaining new clients and referrals regularly but also utilizing the professionalism in the group. Meeting regularly every week on a Thursday morning for breakfast allows us to build that trust, promoting each other through word of mouth or other networking opportunities. I have utilised the expertise in the group..... BLT Catering supply AbFabfit Club food to our members...macro tracked and healthy..portion sized too! Arhon from Consider Local (current chair) tends to my website on a regular basis keeping SEO updated and working effectively. Malcolm from Abbey Print Consultancy prints our recipe books & nutrition guides cost effective and reliable. Gary (GKP Legal & Wealth) has finally sorted out my 'will' after years of procrastination! We really support each other too - for example..I recently ran an 'ad copy' workshop assisting other members of EFBG hone their ad copy in a way that has helped my business 'AbFabFit Club' grow successfully on social media. Each member brings their expertise to support the other members. If you work from home and haven't tried The Epping Connection then I totally recommend booking in and working productively from Epping High Street...great coffee and FREE too! EFBG grows with you....Trusting | Promoting | Collaborating | Learning
Source: Jaine—AbFabFit Club. Local gyms and fitness classes
Using technology for better working During the lockdowns we experienced over 2020 and 2021, there was an unexpected advancement in people having to use technology for personal use (remember all those Zoom calls?), as well as for work productivity. We were going to use technology more pre-pandemic, so what we’ve experienced is an acceleration of when that was likely to tip further into mainstream use. Even so, there are many apps and tools you could be using for better work if you’re not using them already. Do you have a busy work schedule and regularly liaising with people on times to meet? Use Calendly to help you do this. It integrates with your digital calendar, you select what length of time you want most meetings to happen, and then send the link for people to select the right time for them. You get a notification of the confirmed meeting and it appears in your calendar as if by magic. Are you trying to produce good looking designs? Try using Canva. It’s a great free-to-use tool, with a lot of templates for designing things like posters, presentations and social media designs. The images are free to use, and you can download your creations and use in any way you need. Lastly, if you’re used to working collaboratively with others, where you share ideas and have regular brainstorming sessions, then use a tool like Google Jamboard. It’s a free tool from Google, and is great for online collaboration. It’s like having a whiteboard that you can add post it notes to, and you do it at the same time as your coworkers and collaborators. Sukhvinder Pabial Owner and Operator of The Epping Connection – Epping’s first coworking Page 13
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Digital support Do you or someone you know struggle with using technology or online services? As part of the community hub based in Civic Offices (previously Epping Forest District Council Offices), there is a range of digital support on offer from friendly and experienced staff, delivered by Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF) and Mind in West Essex, to help with using digital technology and online services. They can help and provide support on a range of topics including:
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Completing online forms Video chat i.e., Zoom or Microsoft Teams Online banking Shopping Managing health appointments
This help is available every Thursday from 9.30am – 12.30pm. There is no need to book an appointment. For further information about Digital Support contact, you can contact Phoenix Boreham, Mind in West Essex, telephone 07549 03414 or Email pboreham@mindinwestessex.o rg.uk
Make sure your vehicle is insured You may be surprised to learn that during June, 255 vehicles seized by Essex Police for having no vehicle insurance and driving licence offences. Please remember it is an offence to drive without insurance or to drive without appropriate supervision if you only have a provisional driving licence. It is not only you that could be injured.
Please don’t forget to
Mention to advertisers that you saw their advert in North Weald Village Life
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Drowning Prevention Advice In July, it was the World Health Organisation’s World Drowning Prevention Day. Esses Fire and Rescue Service took the opportunity to urge everyone in Essex to do one thing and help raise awareness of water safety. Essex has one of the longest coastlines in the UK as well as many inland water beauty spots. The Service wants people to enjoy the water, especially in this hot weather and summer holiday season, but to respect it and be aware of the dangers.
Mobile: 07885 871508 www.nmonkplumbingandheating.co.uk
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s Water Safety Manager Andrea MacAlister said: “Most people don't think of the fire service when it comes to water rescues, but it's
an important part of our work which is why we want people to enjoy spending time in and around water safely. “ They have asked that people respect the water by doing the following things. •
look after yourself and your family.
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if you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live. Lean back and use your arms and legs to help you float, then get control of your breathing before calling for help or swimming to safety.
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if you see someone else in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112. If you are at the coast ask for the coastguard, if you are inland, ask for the fire service.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service urged people to watch their water safety advice videos as well as sharing a short film from the Lee Valley Water Safety Partnership which tells the story of a mum’s pain after losing her son in an accident at the park. In the film she urges people to understand the dangers of water and that no one is invincible. The advice includes: •
Never swim alone in case you need help
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Don’t drink alcohol when undertaking water related activities, it impairs judgement and your ability to swim
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Avoid walking routes near water if you have been drinking alcohol
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Don’t dive or jump straight into open water, this can cause potentially fatal cold water shock even on the warmest day
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Actively supervise children in and around water - drowning can happen fast and silently
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If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, don’t panic, extend your arms and legs out and float on your back until the effect of cold-water shock pass
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Never enter the water to try and rescue someone, call 999 and ask for the Fire Service if inland and the Coastguard if you are at the coast.
As the weather continues to be warm and as we are now in school summer holidays, this advice is very relevant. Source: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
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Raising funds and keeping busy I love to hear from readers, and this article is a great piece on how a local person has overcome a difficulty which meant he could no longer do something he loved but didn't give up and found something to do that also helped others by raising essential funds and keeping busy. "In 2021, I was poorly with pigeon fanciers lung and was advised to get rid of my birds. As I spent many hours with my birds, I needed to find something to fill my time. My son Richard, who is a project manager for Hills on a site in Cambridgeshire, recognised the amount of rubbish the workers were binning going into landfill and suggested they separate the cans. He asked if I would like to crush them for recycling and brought me down a tonne bag full, which I crushed and took to Stort Mill Recycling Ltd. When I told them the money was going to St Clare Hospice they gave me a favourable rate. Although I got £16.40 I know every penny counts for the charity. When Richard heard this he said the workers are all committed to recycle their cans and he turned up with another four tonne bags.
I like a challenge and these kept me busy for a few weeks. To date I have raised £73.00 for St Clare Hospice and between us Richard and I have saved 146 kgs going into landfill so far." - Bill Dunmore
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St Clare Hospice Seeks Finance Trustee St Clare Hospice have recently revealed an ambitious new strategy, which sets out plans for delivering outstanding hospice care for the next 20 years to the communities of West Essex and the East Herts borders. As part of this, the Hospice is searching for a trustee with strategic financial experience to join the Board. Sarah Thompson, St Clare Hospice CEO said, “We are seeking someone with senior strategic financial experience, preferably a highly experienced accountant, and although experience of charity accounting is desirable, it is not essential. “We are in good financial health thanks to the incredible support of our local community and the prudent activity of our senior leadership team. We are looking for someone who is able to contribute to our Board with a good understanding of how we can best use our resources for delivery of outstanding patient care services as well as sustaining our services for the future. “As an organisation we are committed to having a hospice team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities and that reflects the communities we serve. We are particularly keen to encourage BAME, disabled and LGBTQ+ applicants and value the positive impact that difference has on our hospice and thinking.” Sarah added, “All our many services are delivered free of charge to those who need them, however it costs around £5 million a year to run the hospice each year. With limited NHS funding, we need to fundraise the majority of this income each year through donations and other voluntary sources. “Last year St Clare Hospice cared for 1,409 people, with many people dipping in and out of our services. 201 of those people were cared for at the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit, however the vast majority of care is delivered out in the community, in peoples own homes and through the St Clare Hospice Wellbeing Hub and specialist clinics. The new trustee will be instrumental in ensuring we not only continue this level of both inpatient and community specialist care, but expand our services to meet the increasing need of the population.” For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Thompson, CEO of St Clare Hospice via sarah.thompson@stclarehospice.org.uk or 01279 773776.
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Main works to upgrade M11 Junction 8 The next phase of a project to improve safety and reduce congestion on the M11 at Junction 8 near Bishops Stortford started in July. Following completion of preliminary investigatory work, the existing A120 roundabout will now be removed ahead of the construction of a new traffic-light controlled junction. To support the improvement works, contractor John Sisk & Son will implement traffic management for work on the roundabout and a revised road layout, including a lane closure running on the westbound approach to the A120 Roundabout. Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “Throughout the works we will look to minimise disruption wherever possible and we thank drivers for their patience while the works take place.” The M11 Junction 8 scheme, led by Essex County Council, will improve access between the M11 and A120, as well as London Stansted and nearby communities. It will also reduce congestion and improve capacity on the M11 Junction 8 exit slip road and the A120. In addition, a toucan crossing will cross the A120 and new footways and cycleways will be installed, making it easier and safer to walk and cycle. For more information about the scheme, visit: www.essexhighways.org/m11-junction-8-improvementscheme.
BEWARE—Request from North Weald and District Angling Society This is a polite but important request from North Weald and District Angling Society, requesting that Parents of children in the village please impress upon them the dangers of swimming in the golf club lakes. It should be noted that there are quite a few illnesses that can be caught from swimming in open waters, including symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, blood poisoning (getting cuts from rocks and branches), also the dreaded POLIO has started to rear its head again. They understand it may look fun and inviting but not only is it dangerous, as a club they spend lots of money on the club waters and of course it is on private property.
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Be respectful to traffic management staff Road workers are working in potentially hazardous environments Unfortunately, abuse of Essex Highways staff who are out working on the road network is all too common. In 2020, the number to make our roads better for all those who use them. of these abuse incidents rose by 10%. Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “The As the school holidays get underway you may see more roadworkers for Essex County Council and indeed all of our contracworks on the network taking place. tors deserve respect. Traditionally traffic flows are reduced due to fewer commuters or “It is not acceptable to be rude or abusive to people who are a change in work pattern, which is an ideal opportunity to get as going about their jobs in the same way as we all do. many repairs done as possible. “Please be patient and drive carefully when you’re out near roadBy avoiding the usual peak travel times this helps keep disrupworks.” tion to a minimum. With more traffic management likely to be on the network, Essex If you witness an incident that is a cause for concern and have Highways are urging road users to plan their journey in advance dashcam or mobile phone footage, then please pass a copy to and to be patient if you do come across roadworks when out and the police through the Extra Eyes website: https:// about. saferessexroads.org/extraeyes/extra-eyes-what-next/. This will Traffic management is necessary to protect the travelling public support our efforts to help reduce abuse of roadworkers. and their staff, as safety is always our first priority. Essex Highways will take the necessary action to protect road users from unlawful and unpleasant behaviour. In many cases CCTV is in operation and operatives wear bodycams which enable us to record and report incidents.
Race for Life Event For the ninth year, my three daughters and myself took part in the Race for Life event on the evening of Wednesday 6th July over at North Weald Airfield. As we walked to the event, we first thought that we had the wrong day as the roads were very quiet. On arrival there was still the customary warm-up exercises and one ice cream van. The event was so quiet compared to the events that have taken place previously. The number of people taking place was so small. This year men and dogs were taking part too.
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It made it even more important that we were supporting the event to raise essential funds. My two eldest daughters run it but my youngest daughter walked with me. It was still a humbling experience with so many people running for loved ones and friends depicted on their banner on the back of their t-shirts, all lost to Cancer. I am sure I recall the announcer saying the Epping event had raised £19,000 in total, which is of course a lot of money. Maybe see you there next year.
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Met Office confirms hottest day A new event summary from the Met Office shows that the UK’s recent extreme heat was far more intense and widespread than previous comparable heatwaves. This was the first time 40°C has been recorded in the UK. A new record daily maximum temperature was provisionally reached on 19th July, with 40.3°C recorded at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, exceeding the previous record by 1.6°C. A total of 46 stations across the UK exceeded the previous UK record of 38.7°C. Many long-running stations with 100+ year records recorded their highest ever temperature, some by extraordinary margins of 3 to 4°C. Records were set overnight too, when Kenley Airfield, Greater London, recorded a new highest minimum temperature of 25.8°C. Temperatures on both 18th and 19th July exceeded 38°C, with only two previous dates exceeding this threshold in Met Office data; 10th August 2003 and 25th July 2019. These four dates: 18th and 19th July 2022, 25th July 2019 and 10th August 2003 are the only occasions when 38°C has been recorded in the UK in observations extending back to the mid-19th century. The Met Office’s Mike Kendon, who produced the review, said: “Temperatures on 18 July were exceptional but they moved 2 to 4°C higher on 19 July, making this date unprecedented in the context of long term climate records.
“What’s particularly notable is how much more widespread the heat was from this event than the previous two occurrences of temperatures in excess of 38°C in the UK. Temperature records tend to get broken by modest amounts and by just a few stations, but the recent heat broke the national record by 1.6°C and across an extensive area of the country from Kent to North Yorkshire and from Suffolk to Warwickshire. •
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“Even when you factor in the temperatures seen in summer 1976, they didn’t reach anywhere near the levels seen this week, although that was a much more prolonged spell of hot and dry weather.” The heat resulted in the Met Office issuing its longest-range Amber warning ever, with a lead time of six days and a subsequent Red warning for extreme heat; the first such one to be issued.
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Stay safe in the sun As we enjoy some hot weather, Epping Forest District Council have issued this advice to help you stay cool:•
Top tips for coping in the heat
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Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
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Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling
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Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, or animals
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Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
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Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen regularly and wear a wide brimmed hat, if you need to go out in the heat
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Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people, those with underlying health conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
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Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
The ‘Memory Train’ trip is a partnership initiative between our Community, Culture and Wellbeing team, Epping Ongar Railway and Epping Open Gardens. Around 50 people took the train ride from North Weald to Ongar and through the forest. They disembarked at Ongar to enjoy the museum, have refreshments and take in more historical facts including details about the foot warmer house. The foot warmer house is a hut where metal containers were filled with hot water and placed under the seats for first-class passengers to warm their feet. Trains were unheated before 1920. The day finished at North Weald for lunch. The trip provided an opportunity to reminisce, take in the beautiful views of the district’s countryside. The were able to learn from the exceptional knowledge shared by Epping Ongar Railways. Fun and laughter was had by all and due to its glowing success, plans are already in place for the next one.
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HOME GLAZING REPAIR SERVICE LTD Annual canvass of electors The Local Company You Can Really Trust! We specialise in the repairs to all makes of windows and doors
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The 2022 annual canvass of electors starts in Epping Forest district with letters going out in the post on Monday 1st August. It is essential you are registered to vote as it can affect your ability to get a mortgage, loan or even a mobile phone contract. It will also affect your ability to vote in future elections. By law, Epping Forest District Council must carry out an annual canvass across the Epping Forest district to check that the information on the electoral register is correct and up to date. The envelope dropping through letterboxes will be addressed to The Residents with instructions on the outside about what you need to do. If you have access to the internet, landline or a mobile phone then please respond online, by phone or by text as soon as possible and by Friday 19th August at the latest. Properties receiving a WHITE letter only need to respond if any of the information is incorrect or you need to delete, amend or add names. Just follow the instructions on the letter. Properties receiving a YELLOW letter MUST respond, even if there are no changes to the details. Please check:
•
The information is correct
•
If the information is incorrect or you need to delete, amend or add names.
Just follow the instructions on the letter. Failure to respond means Council officers will have to chase this up – putting additional burden on Council Tax. You will need your 2-part security code which you’ll find on the front of your letter if you are responding using any of the automated response options available.
There are 3 ways you can make changes: Online (live from 1 August 2022) • Telephone 0800 197 9871
•
Text NO CHANGE to 80212
Please respond, if you are required to do so as soon as you receive the form and by Friday 19 August at the very latest. To help cut costs and make things simpler for you, where they can, they will be communicating with you digitally in the future so please provide an email address and/or phone number where asked to do so. Page 25
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Homes for Ukraine arrivals passes 1,400 Cllr Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council Leader, has thanked residents of Essex for their outstanding generosity which has seen more than 1,400 Ukrainians welcomed to the county under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. As of Thursday 28th July, 1,408 people had arrived into Essex from Ukraine under the Government scheme. There are a total of 1,081 sponsors in Essex, matched with 2,471 Ukrainians. Of these 1,408, or about 57%, have arrived in Essex. These numbers continue to increase. Generous Essex residents have helped the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) reach an important milestone, with it being announced on Thursday more than 100,000 people from Ukraine have been welcomed into homes across the UK. Cllr Bentley said: “Since the start of this dreadful war, residents of Essex have gone above and beyond to provide support for our Ukrainian friends, first in contributing to the humanitarian aid efforts and more recently by opening up their own homes to welcome people from Ukraine with open arms. “The Government has announced 100,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK under the Ukraine Family and Homes for Ukraine schemes. Essex has played a huge part in this, and I want to thank the people of our county for their astounding generosity. They have responded to what is a humanitarian crisis on a scale that many of us have not seen before in our lives with our county’s trademark hospitality and kindness. “Getting these schemes up and running in a relatively short timeframe has been an enormous task and I must also praise our partners across the public and voluntary sectors for their efforts, as well as all the staff involved. “Of course, we know there is more work to do, and we will continue working hard to ensure Ukrainians who arrive into Essex have all the support they need, both as soon as they arrive and for as long as they are in this county.”
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North Weald Cricket Update North Weald Junior Cricketers into Under 12 Cup Final; Adult League Team Mid Table at the Half Way Stage North Weald’s juniors have continued their development in 2022, reaching the West Essex Junior Cricket League Under 12 cup final. Three wins out of four in the group stage was enough to see them progress to face Dunmow. Major individual contributions in the group stage included 33 from Udai Atwal, 35 from Ben Fuller and 4 wickets for 11 runs from Josh Ram in a victory at Stansted, and 17 from Ewan Crawford and another good score of 35 from Udai Atwal in a win at High Roding. The league side ended the first half of the season mid-table in Division One of the Herts and Essex Border League, with four wins and five losses from their first nine matches, and rounded off the first round of matches with a convincing win at Bancroft Lions. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, a rapid 91 from opening batsman Alex Merritt saw North Weald race to 134 without loss, before being pegged back to 151-5. Kalpesh Bari then scored a valuable 48 to lift the side to a total of 263-9 off 40 overs. Early on Kalpesh Bhana removed in form batter Henry Edmunds for 15, and the total proved too much for Bancroft Lions, who finished on 206-7. Meanwhile on Sundays, the highlight of the season so far was a first club century for Ross Haworth at Stansted, who retired not out on 100 (as he needed to catch a Sunday evening flight!) North Weald successfully chased 168 to win with 7 wickets left, after an excellent bowling and fielding display on a hot July afternoon had restricted Stansted to 167-9 from their 40 overs.
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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.
Airport Parking – don’t get caught out! Every year Essex Trading Standards receives high numbers of complaints from holiday makers who have unwittingly used bogus airport parking companies and have returned to their vehicles to find damage, content theft and unexpected mileage. There are so many things to arrange when going on holiday that it’s very easy when booking parking to just look at price and availability, but this can lead to problems when you return to your vehicle. In some cases claims of secure parking can actually mean a field or a street near the airport. When choosing airport parking companies, Essex Trading Standards would give the following advice : Choose a reputable company. Use one of the main car parking companies whose name you recognise. Visit the official airport website. All of the major UK airport websites have links to approved parking sites. Look closely at the website you are considering using, do they have full contact details to allow you to query anything and if necessary complain? If possible prebook in advance, you will then be able to get the best price and compare different options. When you leave your vehicle make sure there are no valuables left in it. If possible take photos of the car to show its condition when you left it. Happy Holidays from Essex Trading Standards !
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ONGAR NATURE WATCH Where have all the butterflies gone? Once upon a time, butterflies were common in this area, but now we are fortunate if we see a few. As a teenager (yes, I can remember that long ago) nettles abounded with small tortoiseshell caterpillars along the nearby River Roding. I have not seen them in recent times. The UK's butterfly population has fallen sharply as they are affected by rising temperatures and fragmented habitats. There are 59 recorded species in Britain, representing those that live in the country year-round as well as two seasonal migrants. So far this year, I have seen fewer Butterflies than usual in the garden. There has been the occasional Brimstone, Comma, Small White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown and Common Blue but that’s all. It is still early in summer so hopefully their numbers will increase. Their bright colours ensure that they are one of the most recognised and recorded animals, which makes them a valuable indicator species to show when an ecosystem is under threat.
While the decline is dramatic, we can all help as small changes to our gardens can play a significant role in helping them recover. Buddleia (the butterfly bush) and Lavender are particularly attractive to butterflies but remember the food plants for the caterpillars. I have just added Nasturtium in pots to the garden, a favourite food for the caterpillars of Small and Large White butterflies. The 2022 Red List of British butterflies, published by Butterfly Conservation, classed five more species as threatened this year. However, the list found some cause for optimism, with the Large Blue butterfly, which became extinct in Great Britain just over 40 years ago, now recovering following a successful reintroduction scheme. Dr Richard Fox, of Butterfly Conservation, says, 'Shockingly, half of Britain's remaining butterfly species are listed as threatened or near threatened on the new Red List. Even prior to this new assessment, British butterflies were among the most threatened in Europe. Butterflies face many pressures, mostly from habitat loss. For example, 80% of chalk grassland has ceased to exist since 1945 with the loss of the rare plants that grow in these soils.’ Dr Blanca Huertas, of the Natural History Museum, says, 'Butterflies are dependent on a specific set of factors in each stage of their lifecycle. As eggs and caterpillars, they are very sensitive to any changes in the microclimate and rely on certain plants. When they are adults, they are often more generalist, but modifying a habitat will take away plants that these butterflies depend on. This affects their ability to survive.' While butterflies are under threat, the Red List demonstrates that there is the potential for a recovery. Alongside the Large Blue, the High Brown Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy have seen their populations stabilise in recent years. As well as restoring breeding and feeding habitats, it is also important to ensure connectivity between them. As butterflies cannot travel long distances, this involves providing flower rich field margins that can act as stepping stones to link suitable habitats. Keith Snow Ongar Wildlife Society (OWLS) OWLS is taking a break in August but will meet again in September when wildlife photographer, Lynn Rix will tell of her expeditions to capture images of African wildlife. She will add her personal experiences and tell of the people of the areas and their ways of life. Still to come this year are talks on Animal Coloration, Beyond Safari Tourism and 54 Acre Outdoor Wildlife Classroom, the story and natural history of Lambourne End Outdoor Centre. You are invited to join OWLS. We meet on the third Monday of each month at 7.30 for 8pm. Visitors pay just £5 but you can become a member for an annual fee of only £25. As we are a way through the year, this year’s fee will be reduced. To help you locate our venue, Toot Hill Village Hall, the post code is CM5 9LR. Keith Snow Page 29
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Son takes on epic two-month Pyrenees trek to raise funds for Hospice A son is taking on a two-month long, 820km, solo trek across the Pyrenees mountain range in memory of his mother, and to raise funds for the Hospice charity who cared for her. Craig Jenkins (age 49 years from Takeley and now living in Valencia, Spain) has set himself the challenge of walking the GR11 route, that runs through the Spanish Pyrenees close to the border with France, and covers 820km (522 miles). The trek will take Craig an estimated 60 days and he set out on Sunday 3rd July 2022. His fundraising target is £1,000. Craig is raising funds in memory of his mother, Linda Jenkins, who was cared for by St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood in 2015. Linda attended the Hospice charity’s Wellbeing Hub for day services, as well as receiving care on the Inpatient Unit, before her death from a brain tumour on 9th December 2015. Craig commented, “Ever since I was with Mum in the Hospice, I have wanted to do some sort of challenge to fundraise for St Clare. Seven years after Mum’s death, I am finally, hopefully fit enough to take on the huge challenge I have planned.” “During July and August I will attempt to hike solo across the top of the Pyrenees mountain range in Spain from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. One of the biggest challenges is the elevation change – ascending and descending a total of 128,000ft which is the equivalent of climbing up and down Mount Everest 6 times!” “I will be carrying everything I need on my back, including a tent, sleeping bag, cooking stove and food, and stopping at small mountain villages every 3 or 4 days for supplies. I eat a strict vegan diet, so finding supplies in remote Spanish villages adds another layer of difficulty for me!” Commenting on the difference St Clare Hospice’s care had made, Craig said: “The whole experience at St Clare was really positive. From the moment you walk in to the Reception, to the people who work in the kitchen, to the staff and volunteers you meet. The whole Hospice has a really good energy about it, and you come away from there feeling that energy. It’s an amazingly happy place.”
Craig began his trek on Sunday 2nd July 2022 starting at Cap de Creus in Catalonia, the most easterly point of mainland Spain, on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. He is due to finish 60 days later (31st August) at Cape Higuer on the Bay of Biscay, the westernmost edge of the Pyrenees. The route is divided into 45 separate stages, varying between 10-30km each, and Craig plans to complete most stages in one or two days, with scheduled rest days. That means Craig will be walking around 15-20km per day, camping each night where he finishes. You can follow Craig’s progress via his Instagram page at: Instagram.com/ahimsacraig/ Read Craig’s story of care from St Clare Hospice at: stclarehospice.org.uk/stories/craigsstory You can sponsor Craig on his Just Giving page at: justgiving.com/fundraising/gr11mum
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EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY - RECRUITING SPECIAL
Photo: Owen Hayward Over the past 10 years your Local Heritage Railway has put on many exciting events for both enthusiasts and families. We have only been able do this with the help of our loyal volunteers. Our research shows that most of our volunteers live in post code areas close to the Railway – just like you! In order to continue providing a high level of service to our visitors we urgently need to recruit additional volunteers to work with us into the autumn and for our Christmas events. We have vacancies in many departments on both week days and operational days (usually weekends). For further information and to find out what positions may suit you, please contact: volunteering@eorailway.co.uk You will have the opportunity to learn new skills, make good use of your existing skills, enjoy the mental and physical benefits of working in the open air and have the opportunity to make new friends. Membership costs just £20 per year and that includes four copies of our quarterly 44-page magazine Mixed Traffic, which is packed with interesting railway related articles. We have also published a 44-page book charting the story of the Railway – The First Ten Years. Why not pop into our shops at North Weald or Ongar and obtain your copy, priced at just £3.50. Epping Ongar Railway – it’s part of your local heritage!
Robert Good. Epping Ongar Railway Volunteer Society
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Gardening Hints for August Hell to all residents, friends and gardeners in the district. Can’t believe it is already August, at the time of writing we are still awaiting any significant rainfall. Everything is parched, the lawns are brown and trees and shrubs are really suffering. Just yesterday I took a late evening stroll in the forest and noticed leaves are already beginning to drop, due to the trees being stressed by lack of water. Quite upsetting really and I hope nature has a way of compensating when things return to normality soon. However bad the lawns look at the moment, a good downpour will soon green them up. August is a month when you should continue to reap your rewards from the hard work put in on your allotment or vegetable patch. Cover soft fruit bushes with net, to prevent the birds from beating you to the crop. Continue to side shoot tomato plants and keep evenly watered and feed at least once a week. This year I have noticed that tomatoes have ripened a good two to three weeks earlier than normal, this is due to the continued warm, dry, sunny weather. You can remove some of the leaves now to encourage ripening. Keep watering hanging baskets, pots and troughs, water early mornings or in the evening for maximum effect. Avoid spraying your plants as this will cause scorching and will not give the plants the water where they need it which is at the roots.
At home, have plenty of water butts to catch rainwater, but as there has been no rain I fill these with a hose pipe and continue to water all my baskets and pots with a watering can. This enables me to know exactly how much water I am giving each basket and pot and also direct the water directly to the base of the plants. Keep dead-heading all basket plants too encourage further flowering. As always take time out to enjoy your garden and take in the sights and scents on a warm summer evening. I will of course do the same with a nice cold beer as an accompaniment. Source: Nigel—Art Garden Centre, Vicarage Lane Editor’s Comment: I have to say a special thank you to Nigel and Irene at Art Garden Centre, the very first time I went around to a few local businesses with my idea for a local magazine, I just had a folded piece of paper with some writing on it, I popped into Art Garden Centre and Nigel had just taken over the garden centre and agreed to advertise straight away in the first issue and has continued ever since and agreed to write my gardening column which I know many people enjoy. Thank you Nigel for trusting and believing in me, sixteen years later we are both going strong.
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Photo: C. Jones
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Play in the Park - Play in the Park is all about playing games and having fun outdoors. The Play in the Park team will bring a range of sports equipment and arts and crafts resources for children and their parents/carers to enjoy together and organise activities and games. No need to book, just drop in at any time. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Check the details below to see when Play in the Park will be at a park near you. Free of charge. Epping
North Weald Supported by North Weald Bassett Parish Council Queens Hall Community Centre (playing field), The Pavilions, School Green Ln, North Weald, CM16 6EY •
Tuesday 9 August: 10am to 12noon
Thornwood Common Playing Field, Parish Hall, Weald Hall Lane, Thornwood, CM16 6NB •
Friday 12 August: 10am to 12noon
Supported by Epping Town Council Stonards Hill, Epping, CM16 6SP
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Monday 8 August: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
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Monday 15 August: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Supported by Epping Upland Parish Council Epping Playing Fields (Doorstep Green) Epping Green, CM16 6QJ
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Friday 19 August: 10am to 12noon
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Epping Town Show The sun shone on the annual Epping Show which took place on Sunday 3rd July. Parking was at St Margaret’s Hospital. Funfair rides were available as well as a range of local groups and companies. St Studios, Epping High Street, had their carvan there ready to take photos of all family members including the family dog! Epping Horticultural Society were present ready to talk everything green and gardening.
M11 crash near Harlow leaves motorcyclist with 'potentially life-changing' injuries A motorcyclist is facing potentially life-changing injuries after a collision on the M11, near Harlow, on Sunday, 24th July. The rider reportedly came off his bike, a black motorcycle, near to Junction 7 (Harlow) at around 3.30pm. The accident has left the man seriously injured, which have been described as potentially life-changing. Essex Police is now appealing for witnesses to the incident. Essex Police has said: "We are appealing for witnesses or dash cam footage following a collision on the M11 which left a motorbike rider with serious injuries." The force continued: "We need anyone saw what led up to the incident and any interactions with other vehicles to come forward. If you have any information or dash cam footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. "Please quote incident 859 of 24 July. You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm. Source: Essex Police
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PHOTO GALLERY This month we have a wonderful collection of local photos. Please send in your photos to me at June@northwealdvillagelife.co.uk
Photos: Wonderful Sunset - Debbie Bryan
Photos: Terry Taylor sharing wonderful photos of his amazing robins and him.
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Cycle I was just contemplating how your roles in life seem to go full circle as you grow, Starting from when you are born, knowing nothing but desperate to grasp all that life is willing to show. Being so dependent on your parents, taking on so much of what they do as your own, Slowly standing on your own two feet, while putting into practice everything that you learn. Then all too soon you are at an age, when children are part of your next adventure, Being there when they are born holding tiny feet and hands, marvelling at mother nature. Trying to bring them up right and passing on all you know, just like your parents once did for you, Watching as they grow, suddenly understanding how much your parents really had to do. Turning from a student to a teacher, in what seems overnight, All the time hoping and praying everything will go to plan and your children will turn out right. Everything seems calm for a while, though the hands of time they keep turning, Then suddenly you realise its not your kids but your parents that need affirming. Your attention switches to them as once again you are needed more and more, Slowly watching the independence fading from those you love and adore. Finding it hard to complete tasks, that not so long ago they did for you, Seeing their new vulnerability progress as they as a parent, slowly slip from view. Time still marches on and now I am thinking far too clear, That it won’t be long before my kids carry on that cycle and will hopefully be standing as I am now, somewhere near.
Source: Andy—resident poet. It is all true and something I have experienced and continue to do so. It is one of the hardest things to see our parents suffer in pain. I always said to my mum and now say to my dad when he feels guilty is they did everything for us, to ensure we were safe and were there whenever we needed them at any age so now it is our turn to help and look after them.
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7.45pm
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Citizens Advice: dealing with debt The cost of living crisis will inevitably mean that more people will be struggling to make ends meet, and will end up in debt. At Epping Forest Citizens Advice we have expert debt advisers who can help you. The first rule in dealing with debt is: Don’t panic! All debt problems can be managed. Secondly, you can’t solve a debt problem by borrowing more. Don’t turn to payday lenders or loan sharks. Get advice instead. You may not be liable for a debt. For instance: a company cannot enforce debts over 6 years old unless you’ve acknowledged them during the 6 years. Where the debt is genuine and enforceable one of the most effective solutions is a Debt Relief Order. This wipes out most debts. You could qualify if all of the following apply: •
you're unable to pay your debts
•
your qualifying debts are not more than £30,000
•
you’ve got no more than £75 left over each month after you’ve paid your usual household expenses
•
ou don’t own your home
•
other savings or things of value you own, called assets, are worth no more than £2,000 (some assets are ignored when working out the value, for example, basic household items and tools you need to do your job)
•
you haven’t had a Debt Relief Order within the last 6 years;
•
you’re not a company director;
•
you’re not an undischarged bankrupt or currently in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement with your creditors;
•
if you are over 55, you don’t have a large undrawn pension that you could access.
If you have a vehicle worth under £2,000, you don’t have to include it in your assets. If your vehicle is worth more than £2,000, you don't have to include it in your assets if it's been adapted because you have a disability. There are other conditions and requirements but if you meet these criteria it is well worth exploring whether a Debt Relief Order is right for you. To obtain the order you have to apply via a qualified Intermediary. Our debt advisers are qualified so they can help you. There are some downsides to a Debt Relief Order and they can explain them to you, so you can make an informed choice. There is a £90 fee payable for the order, but it is usually possible to pay that fee by instalments, or to get help from a charity to pay it. The debt advisers’ help, like all Citizens Advice services, is free. If a Debt Relief Order isn’t right for you our debt advisers can still help. They can negotiate an informal hold on all action and stop interest being added while an agreement is being worked on. Many companies sell the right to recover a debt to debt recovery agencies, and those agencies will invariably accept very low repayment offers when supported by our FCA Financial Statement. They can also help you with Breathing Space, a Government Scheme to keep creditors at bay for up to 60 days while you work with an adviser towards a debt solution.
You can contact us for advice on debt (or anything else) by phoning 0808 278 7855 between 9.30 and 2.30, Tuesday to Thursday. Calls are free. We are very busy at the moment so if you can’t get through or there is no reply, try again. Or you can use webchat: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/web-chat-service/ We are also in person at the Hub at the Civic Offices in Epping every Thursday between 9.30 and 2.30 if you want to talk to someone face-to-face. Source: Paul Stockton
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BIRD FEATURE - AUGUST 2022 Welcome to a few jottings regarding birdlife and other wildlife in our general area. I am compiling these notes in the latter part of July and last week's extreme heat is still fresh in the mind. I never thought I would see the day when temperatures topped 40 degrees in this country but it came to pass. Of course the difficulties such temperatures create for us humans also impact on birds and other wild creatures. During the hottest 2 days there was very little bird activity during the middle part of the day. The birds tend to skulk at this time of year, often recovering their energies after breeding, but it was particularly quiet last week. The ground is baked hard at present which can make finding worms, beetles and other grubs very awkward. Species such as blackbirds really struggle. There have been quite a few Jackdaws & Rooks targeting lawns - hoping to strike lucky with some sort of protein rich insect or other morsel. There have been sightings of Ravens between Ongar & Brentwood with two of them juveniles. There may be some dispersal over the next few weeks so there is a chance one or two may fly over our village at some stage. Also there was a recent sighting of 4 Red Kites between Epping & N Weald - two of them were also juveniles. I have twice seen Tawny Owls in the mid July period. One was adjacent to the A414 near Blake Hall & the second sighting was at Weald Bridge Rd, just approaching the village. Tawny Owls are much bigger than Little Owls and will not tolerate the smaller species in their territory, killing them if the opportunity presents itself. There have been quite a few finches about of late. On one recent walk at the disused golf course I saw Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch and Linnet all within a couple of minutes of each other. Nearby was a male Yellowhammer. There are few gulls about at the present. The few that I have seen have been Lesser Blackbacked Gulls. It was a year ago that there was an astonishing gathering of as many as 2,000 gulls flying over the village, feasting on what must have been an enormous insect swarm. I doubt there will be a repeat this year, it was a stunning event. Most gulls are currently at their breeding colonies but as August progresses an increasing number will turn up around our area. I have mentioned it before but it is worth reminding you that approaching rain clouds can often produce sightings of dozens of Swifts, these master fliers hunt the insects as they are forced to swarm ahead of the rain. Of course we have had precious few rain clouds lately but as sure as eggs are eggs we'll be getting some thunderstorms soon and that can be a great time to watch Swifts in action. A bird that spends virtually all of its life on the wing. Global warming has led to a number of changes in how birds migrate and is slowly but surely expanding the range of some species. For instance Little Egrets were unknown in the UK when I was a child in the 60s but have been regular breeders here for some years. This year some Bee-eaters have nested and hatched chicks in Norfolk, a species that favours hot climates such as in the Med. More species could turn up if temperature trends continue. Conversely there are some types of bird that visit us from colder countries that may stop migrating here in the autumn because it is now too warm. Various scientific studies are taking place to monitor these changes and time will tell just how much alters. There have been quite a few juvenile birds around, the product of this year's breeding season. Most will not make it to adulthood, victims of predation, injury, disease and starvation. On a recent walk I saw a Treecreeper with 2 young, the first time I have actually seen the young of this species locally. This bird climbs tree trunks which makes it easier to spot, as opposed to many birds that are hidden in the foliage. Like all young birds they are vulnerable and the woods where these birds live are home to a variety of avian predators. Survival is never certain. On the same walk I saw a Nuthatch with a second bird calling from nearby. There have been quite a few butterflies about, as you would expect with such sunny, dry weather. One type that I have seen on numerous occasions is the Comma, with regular visitors to my garden in recent weeks. Certainly far more sightings than in previous summers. Unfortunately the cabbage whites are now around in increasing numbers, laying eggs on my cabbages funnily enough. Not the most welcome of garden visitors !!! During the evenings a number of moths can be seen but in truth I struggle to identify most of those that I see. Bats can be seen twisting and turning as they zero in on their victims with many moths falling prey to these flying mammals. It is quite acceptable to feed the birds through summer but providing peanuts isn't encouraged as pieces of nut can choke nestlings if the adult birds feed such titbits. During these particularly hot and dry conditions the provision of clean, fresh water can be of paramount importance to your garden birds. Look out for juvenile warblers and tits foraging in gardens. Small flocks of Starlings have started to form at various locations and can be quite obvious in the evenings as they seek roosting places. This edition covers up to the latter part of August. Which will lead into September when we can truly say that autumn is here with the outgoing migration of our summer visitors being a feature. In the meantime keep a look out for the summer visitors that are about and enjoy knowing that there are Swallows, House Martins, Swifts, warblers etc about for a few more weeks.
Just keeping your eyes and ears open can lead to an interesting encounter with our local wildlife so stay alert when out and about. All the best, Paul Corbet. Page 41
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Advertiser Directory
Funeral Services
Accountant
Stuart Poulton Ltd
FGS Accountancy & TaxationS
Furniture
8
Business Epping Forest Business Group
13
Café & Restaurants The Mess Hall Diner
33
RSL Interiors—Kitchens & bedrooms
23
CJA Upholstery
11
Garage Doors 14 Garolla
Care
27
Home Instead
28, 3`
Garden Centre/Gardening
Novuscare
36
Art Nursery Garden Centre
Car MOT, Servicing & Tyres
Glazing
APM Tyres
10
Home Glazing Repair
Kings Head Garage
9
Matts Motorz
23
Hairdressing
25
21
Kennels & Catteries London & Essex Kents Farm
Catering BLT Catering
5, 26
Cleaning
Jim’ll Paint It
29
9
9
S I Painters & Decorators
Steve’s Window Cleaning
17
Plastering
Computer Services Andrews Computers
G F Plastering 19
Council North Weald Bassett Parish Council
37
Electricians Turner & Sons
18
Education
11
Plumbing & Heating N Monk
17
Pikes Plumbing & Heating
10
Robert Rayment
34
Preschool Scribbles
Coopersale Hall School
16
Estate & Letting Agents Davis Estate Agents
2
Montagues
44
Events Escape Room
7
Mini Shooters
6, 20
Village Hall
38
5
Painting & Decorating
Boss Cleaning Services
24
Property Services Beam
15
KLF Property Services
30
Handy Andy
34
Bassett Building
19
Residential Home Cunningham House
26
Tree & Garden Maintenance
Fitness J D Fitness Page 42
25
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Carpets & Flooring LJK Flooring Services Ltd
32
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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
0808 278 7855
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
07572 507591
Doctors The Limes, Epping (visits/emergencies)
01992 566500
Queens Community Hall Bookings
07968 824283
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 Whitebread
01992 573557
Police Online reporting
www.essex.police.uk/doitonline
MP Alex Burghart
0207 2191613
RSPCA
01279 306058
(MP for North Weald)
alex.burghart.mp@ parliament.uk
MP Mrs Eleanor Laing MP
020 8508 8608
Samaritans 24 Hours a day
116 123
MP For Thornwood
Eleanor.Laing.mp@parliament.uk
Hospital, St Margarets, Epping
01992 561666
Stuart Poulton
01992 522607
24 Hour
01992 572607
Queens.hallcc@gmail.com
Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow
01279 444455
St Andrews Church
01992 577168
London & Essex Boarding Kennels & Cattery (Kents Farm)
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 Bantham & Ongar Bowls
Queens Hall Charity
Tel: 01992 524672
01992 571535
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: is 01992 522677
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: 01708 250820
Tel: 522700
North Weald Angling Club
Queens Hall Bowls Club
Tel: 01992 522303
Tel: 523375 or 522052
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01945 588325/davedyer24@gmail.com
Three Valleys Male Voice Choir Tel: 01279 415563 www.3valleymvc.org.uk West Essex Flower Club
Tel: 524631 www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk
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