REVIEW OF EPPING’S CAROLS ON THE GREEN

The town’s annual Christmas Carol Concert was, once again, a resound success. The event saw more pople than ever before come out to celebrate in some traditional festive community cheer!

It is events like this, which are entirely organised by local volunteers, that make our town stand out from others and makes us all proud to live in a town like Epping.

As you can hear below, I “Wish you a Merry Christmas” and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

CAROLS ON THE GREEN - CHRISTMAS EVE IN EPPING

Epping Rotary Club will, once again, be hosting the town's "Carols on the Green" on Christmas Eve, starting at 3.45pm in Church Hill (by Epping's War Memorial).

The event, which is being supported by St. John’s School's band is open to everyone and complimentary mulled wine and hot chestnuts will be served. Song sheets will also be provided. A collection will be held with the proceeds going towards buying new instruments at St. John's School.

This is one fantastically festive community event I urge you all not to miss!

FREE LUNCH IN EPPING ON CHRISTMAS DAY

The Churches Together in Epping and District are, once again, inviting anyone who is planning to spend Christmas Day on their own this year to join other local people for a traditional Christmas Lunch at 12pm.

The lunch itself takes place in the Catholic Church Hall, Church Hill, Epping, CM16 4RA (by Epping’s War Memorial) and lunch will be cooked and served entirely by local volunteers.

I have had the pleasure in joining the well-attended event organised by the wonder that is Mary Morgan and it really was a wonderful occasion, full or traditional festive cheer! Everyone is welcome to attend this event, so to book you place, please call Mary Morgan on 01992 574719 or any church of the churches in the Epping area.

CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES IN EPPING

For those who are interested, I have listed below the various Church Services taking place in Epping over the Christmas period:

Wed 24 Dec @ 5pm – Family Crib Service – St. John’s Church
Wed 24 Dec @ 8pm – First Communion of Christmas – Epping Upland
Wed 24 Dec @ 11pm – Midnight Communion – Theydon Garnon
Wed 24 Dec @ 11.30pm – Midnight Communion – Coopersale
Wed 24 Dec @ 11.30pm – Midnight Communion – St. John’s Church
Thur 25 Dec @ 9.20am – Christmas Morning Communion – Theydon Garnon
Thur 25 Dec @ 11am – Family Communion – Coopersale
Thur 25 Dec @ 9.20am – Christmas Morning Eucharist – St. John’s Church
Thur 25 Dec @ 9.20am – Christmas Morning Communion – Epping Upland

For more information about what’s the Church of England are up to in Epping Forest, please click here.

POLICE CHIEF GETS THE ALL-CLEAR IN COURT

I found myself in the unusual position of providing a character reference to Ipswich Crown Court this week on behalf of Chief Inspector Jonathan Baldwin, who served as District Commander of Policing for Epping Forest during 2008 and early 2009.

C.I. Baldwin was arrested on three counts of fraud by misrepresentation relating to mileage claims between December 2007 and March 2008 totalling £310. I worked incredibly closely with the District Commander during this time in my role as Mayor of Epping and had no problem at all in describing him as a "committed, respected, focused and thoroughly decent". During our time together, we worked to establish various Neighbourhood Action Panels, Joint Action Groups and a Crime and Disorder Partnership for the district. I also spent time attending 'ride-alongs', where I would shadow him and other senior officers whilst they executed their duties to get a feel for what they were doing and what issues they were facing.

The jury took 35 minutes to find him not guilty of all counts and the Chairman of the Essex branch of the Police Federation, Tony Rayner, said the case should never have been brought before the courts.

It is, of course, absolutely right that allegations of this kind must be properly investigated and considered by the relevant authorities, but I do worry about the huge amount of time and public money that has been wasted on this case!

EPPING RETAINS “QUALITY COUNCIL” STATUS

Epping Town Council is due to receive its official reaccreditation for Quality Council status after meeting all of the criteria set by the Essex County Accreditation Panel.

Town / Parish Councils are required to reapply for accreditation every 4 years and provide an in-depth portfolio of evidence for consideration. The accreditation scheme was introduced some years ago by the Government which had planned to pass additional responsibilities to those Council's which meet the strict criteria. There are 684 Quality Councils nationally, of which 113 have been reaccredited.

ESSEX SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT EXHIBITION

Epping Forest Museum is to open a new exhibition next week on the women's suffrage movement in Essex.

The museum, located in Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, hosts the 'Breaking Barriers' series of displays from Friday 11th December until 13th March 2010.

The exhibition, which has been organised in conjunction with the Parliamentary Outreach Service, examines the experiences of suffragists and suffragettes in Essex and their struggle for women's rights. For more information about the exhibition and museum opening times, call 01992 716882.

EPPING'S ONLY NHS DENTISTS OFFICIALLY OPENS

Epping’s only NHS dental practice was officially opened today by the Government’s Chief Dental Advisor, Barry Cockcroft.

The practice opened for business in February, but given the huge influx of patients, there hasn’t been time to arrange an official opening. I was personally inundated with calls and emails from residents desperate to get back on an NHS dentists patient list at the time and I criticised the Government for leaving many people living in our town who didn’t have the money to pay the hefty private dental fees without any health coverage cover.

This week, the co-principal of The Tooth Booth, Dr. Amit Rai was nominated for several categories at the 2009 Dentistry Awards. He said: "Since opening earlier this year we have been touched by the warm welcome we have received from the local community.”

For more information on The Tooth Booth and other NHS dental practices in west Essex call 0800 783 3396 or click here.

HAS THE CREDIT CRUNCH EFFECTED EPPING?

Epping Forest District Council have published their latest “Forester Magazine”, which focuses solely on the effect the credit crunch is having in the local area.

This edition includes articles on supporting your High Street, grow your own, finding your next job, managing debt, making your savings work for you, caring for pets and much more.

To download your copy, please click here. For past editions, please click here.

EPPING'S CHRISTMAS MARKET - Fri 4th December

Epping will once again be celebrating it's renowned Christmas Market on Friday 4th December 2009 from 12 noon until 8pm in Epping High Street. For a full list of events, please click on the image above. I hope to see you all there!

NEW VERDERER OF EPPING FOREST ELECTED

Epping Green resident, Michael Chapman has been appointed to one of the four historic Verderer of Epping Forest roles, which dates back to the 13th Centaury. The Verderers post involves playing a key role in all matters relating to Epping Forest and to sit on the City of London’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee. To qualify for appointment a person must live within one of the forest’s parishes and to not be a member of the Court of Common Council of the City of London.

Mr. Chapman, whose other roles including being one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant’s of Essex and Chairman of Trustees of St. Clare Hospice is a solicitor by trade and has a keen interest in natural history. He helped to found Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society and has also served as Chairman of the West Essex Health Authority.

Mr. Chapman explained: "As a walker and naturalist living in Theydon and Epping all my life I have always enjoyed the forest. I hope I will be able to help preserve the natural beauty of the forest so it can continue to be enjoyed by all." The new Verderer will take up his post in January and will be required to face re-election in March 2013.

MP LAING TACKLES “BIG BROTHER” STATE

Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing, who also severs as Shadow Minister for Justice, has introduces new Conservative Party policies to protect privacy and prevent intrusion into innocent people’s lives.

Eleanor says: “It is every politician’s duty to safeguard the freedom of the individual citizen. More and more information is being gathered on each and every one of us - but enormous databases waste billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.”

Eleanor has published a paper, “Reversing the Rise of the Surveillance State” which proposes to:
* Scrap the National Identity Register and ditch the ContactPoint database.
* Review the proposals to monitor adults who take children to school, to sports clubs or the Scouts.
* End the permanent retention of innocent people’s DNA on the National DNA database.
* Prevent councils from using anti-terror laws to spy on local citizens; surveillance could only be used where necessary to stop serious crime.
* Subject all new laws to a ‘privacy’ test, and beef up the role of the Information Commissioner.

Eleanor says: “I am deeply concerned about state intrusion into the lives of my constituents as they go about their everyday business. It cannot be right in this country that we are watched at every turn: driving the car, taking the children to school and even walking the dog. These proposals will protect the privacy of people from the state.”

DISTRICT FOOTBALL BADGE COMPETITION WINNER

Ivy Chimneys Primary School pupil Arabella Moore has been announced as the winner of Epping Forest District Council’s “Football Badge Competition” and presented with the new football team kit by EFDC Chairman, Cllr. Mrs. Penny Smith and Leisure portfolio holder, Cllr. Brian Rolfe.

School children across Epping Forest district were invited to design a badge for the new women’s football club - the Davenant Diamonds - that Epping Forest District Council and the Essex FA set up last year.

Over 500 entries for the competition were submitted. The standard of the badge designs were extremely high but Arabella’s simple design of a diamond placed on a pink background, featuring the team’s name, was chosen as the winner.

EPPING FOOTBALL CLUB - NOVEMBER FIXTURES

Epping Football Club is inviting residents to get behind their local team and attend some of their forthcoming games. All home games take place at Stonards Hill Recreation Grounds, Tidy’s Lane, Epping, CM16 6SP. For more information about the Club, please click here or see below for November's fixtures.

SATURDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2009
Essex County FA Junior Cup (Round 2) - Match Number 54
Haver Town v Epping Reserves (AWAY) - Kick-Off: 1.30pm - Referee: G. Clutton

Essex Olympian Football League - Premier Division
Epping FC v Kelvedon Hatch FC (HOME) - Kick-Off: 2.00pm - Referee / Assistants: J. Whittaker Jnr / N. Vickerstaff / Jason Fisher (01279 436477 or 07982 004309)

Mid-Essex League
Sporting Brentwood v Epping FC (AWAY) - Kick-off: 2.00pm - Referee: To be confirmed

SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2009
Anagrams Records Trophy - Round 2
Epping FC v Sandridfe Rovers FC (HOME) - Kick-Off: 1.30pm - Referee / Assistants: G. Brazier / M. Smith / S. Batt

Essex Olympian Football League - Reserve Division 1
Mountnessing Boca v Epping FC (AWAY) - Kick-off: 2.00pm - Referee: S. Shuttleworth

Mid-Essex League
Epping FC v Byfleet Rovers FC (HOME) - Kick-Off: 2.00pm - Referee: W.Ostermeyer

ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL PRESENTATION EVENING

St. John’s Secondary School in Tower Road has hosted it’s Year 11 Presentation Evening this week, which is the school’s opportunity to invite those students who left the school in the 2008/2009 academic year back to school to receive their GCSE certificates and other awards designed to recognise particular areas of achievement.

The event was an opportunity for the school to celebrate their strong exam results and the fact they have achieved the highest ever proportion of A* grades!

The Guest of Honour was former England and Tottenham Hotspur footballer, Les Ferdinand MBE. Also present was former QPR footballer, Clive Wilson who now coaches football at the St. John’s.

Assistant Headteacher, Richard Ahrens said: “Les gave an inspirational speech to students, parents and staff about the importance of perseverance in achieving your goals.”

PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

The following planning applications will be considered by Epping Town Council's Planning and General Purposes Committee on Tuesday 17th November 2009. If you wish to express your view to the committee on any of the application below, you can either email info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or attend the meeting in person at Epping Hall, St. John's Road, Epping, CM16 5JU.

EPF/1991/09 - Mr. R. Bixby, 8a Crows Road, Epping - Conversion of garage into habitable room. Contrary to condition 3 of planning permission EPF/1050/00.
EPF/1994/09 - Bellway Homes Essex, Plots 3 to 6 Kings Wood Park, St. Margaret’s Hospital, Epping - Erection of four detached houses (re-design of the approved Type A house).
EPF/1995/09 - Bellways Homes Essex, Plots 57 to 61 and 64 to 65, Kings Wood Park, St. Margaret’s Hospital, Epping - Erection of four detached houses (re-design of the approved Type A house).
EPF/1998/09 - Mr. B. Honey, 47 Allnuts Road, Epping - Erection of rear extension to replace conservatory and conversion of loft and rear dormer. Pitched roof to existing flat roof bathroom, gable end to main roof in place of hipped end.
EPF/2015/09 - Epping Forest District Council, Condor Building, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping - Replacement of single glazed window units and non-thermally insulated cladding panels with double glazing units and insulated infill panels.
TPO/EPF/1963/09 - Mr. R. Hunt, 2 & 3 Bury Farm Cottages, Bury Lane, Epping - TPO/EPF/21/02 T2, T7 and T8 Ash Fell. T5 Ash 25% crown reduction.
EPF/2018/09 - Ascham Homes, 45 Rayfield, Epping - Single storey side and rear extension and loft conversion with rear dormer window.
EPF/2043/09 (Revised Application) - McCarthy & Stone, Site of 19-23 High Street, Epping - Erection of temporary McCarthy & Stone information advertisements on one sign board and on front boundary hording for up to 3 years.
EPF/1917/09 - Mr. & Mrs. J. Firman, Roscommon, Hemnall Street, Epping - Single story side extensions.

WESTMINSTER REPORT FROM ELEANOR LAING MP

The Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, Eleanor Laing has launched her Autumn 2009 ‘Westminster Report’, which you can download here.

The report covers topics such as, ‘What Does an MP Do?’, and outlines some of the work Mrs. Laing has done recently on the Government’s proposals to introduce a huge number of sites for Gypsies and Travellers, supporting local businesses, tackling MPs pay, helping bring aid to Africa and fighting the ‘Big Brother’ culture. The report also includes a survey which asks: ‘What Would You Most Like Me to Achieve as Your MP?’

EPPING'S TOWNSPERSON OF THE YEAR 2009

Epping Town Council has decided to honour one person from the town each year. The person chosen will have made a significant selfless contribution to the town’s community life, either by a single act which has provided significant benefits to a local organisation or a section of society, or a person which has given selfless service over many years to the community.

The winning candidate will be invited to attend the Mayor’s “At Home” as a guest of honour. Additionally, Council will highlight the good work of others nominated. It is hoped that this scheme of recognition will promote the ideal of service to the community in Epping.

If you wish to nominate a person, please click here to download a nomination form. Alternatively, you can write to the Town Clerk, Epping Town Council, Epping Hall, St. John’s Road, Epping, Essex, CM16 5JU with details of your name and address, the person you wish to nominate with the reason or you may collect a form from Epping Hall. The closing date for nominations to be received is 11th January 2010.

FREE HOME SECURITY ADVICE FOR RESIDENTS

Epping Forest Safer Communities Team working in partnership with Essex Police are offering free security advice to residents considering making improvements to their security.

Community Safety portfolio holder, Cllr. Mrs. Syd Stavrou said: “This is a practical initiative designed to help residents with their security. The advice is free and impartial from two officers who have over 60 years of policing experience between them. We hope that by introducing this as a service we will prevent residents falling victim to crime.”

Chief Inspector Alan Ray, District Police Commander for Epping Forest District said: “This is a very good partnership initiative, fittingly launched during ‘Not in my Neighbourhood’ week. These officers have been carrying out joint security surveys for some time when crimes have occurred and they have proved very reassuring with householders. This initiative will extend this service to a wider group of residents.”

Any residents who are interested in having a security review can contact the Safer Communities Team by emailing here or by telephone to 01992 564608.

REVIEW OF REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY IN EPPING

Once again this year, Epping saw record numbers of residents turn-out at the town’s War Memorial to show their respects for those remarkable young men who have given their tomorrows for our today.

The events, organised by the Royal British Legion, saw Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr. Mrs. Penny Smith and Mayor of Epping Janet Hedges all lay poppy wreaths on behalf of the town, district and parliament.

Following the wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial, the parade, led by the Epping Forest Pipe Band and including war veterans, air and army cadets, members of the guides and scouting organisations, representatives of St. John’s School and police and fire officers, marched through Epping High Street, paying respects to local dignitaries on the way.

A Service of Remembrance then took place at St. John’s Church, led by the Rev’d Geoffrey Connor, supported by the Epping Forest Band. EFDC Chairman Penny Smith read from the bible, whilst Mayor Janet Hedges read the names of the fallen. After the service, wreaths were also laid at the Civilian Memorial outside St. John’s Church.

HELP US PROTECT EPPING'S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

It seems like utter madness that we only have 46 days left until Christmas but, alas, it is true!

Once again this year, Epping Town Council is working hard with various local organisations to pull together a schedule of festive events that the community can engage in. It is sad that each year these tasks become more complicated, as the laws and regulations around each task becomes more onerous, the goods and services cost more and less volunteers come forward to lend a hand.

On Sunday 15th November, Epping Rotary Club will be pulling together as many local volunteers as possible to help decorate and erect our Christmas Trees, which sit proudly above the shop fronts in Epping High Street and transform the centre of our community into a festive scene. So if you are fit, able and willing to help us keep the spirit of Christmas alive and well in Epping, please do come along. We shall be meeting outside of Marks and Spencer at 9am.

Without your practical help and support, this project would have to come to a halt. For more information, please feel free to email me here.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BAKERS LANE CAR PARK

Bakers Lane Car Park in Epping will be closed to the general public for improvcvement works from Tuesday 10th November until Tuesday 24th November 2009.

The upgrade works to be carried out consist of resurfacing the entire area of the car park, providing new improved surface drainage, improving the lighting and installing CCTV. 50% of the car park will remain open throughout this period, but will be strictly limited to permit holders only. A letter has been sent to all local residents and businesses close to this Car Park, providing details of the works due to be carried out and advising of the times they may be affected.

Baker's Lane is one of three car parks Epping Forest District Council operate in the town and has 141 long-stay spaces available. The charges for this car park are: Up to 2 hours = £1.40 and over 2 hours = £2.80. Cottis Lane has 213 short-stay spaces and the charges are: Up to 30 minutes = £0.10, up to 1 hour = £0.65, Up to 2 hours = £1.40, up to 3 hours = £2.80 and over 3 hours = £9.00. The Civic Offices has 28 short-stay spaces which are available on a Saturday and the charges are the same as Cottis Lane's.

For more information about parking in Epping Forest, please call 01992 564000 or click here.

OPINION POLL RESULTS - Eleanor Laing MP

Question: Do you think Eleanor Laing will be re-elected MP for Epping Forest at the next General Election?

Yes 59%
No 29%
I honestly don’t know 4%
I couldn’t care less 8%

Total Number of votes cast during a 7 day period: 48

YOUTH DEBATE INSIDE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Young people from across Essex will make history as they debate in the House of Commons this Friday. Six representatives from the county will sit on the famous green benches as part of the UK Youth Parliament. It will be the first time anyone other than MPs have debated in the chamber in 300 years!

The elected 12-to-18-year-olds will explore several key issues affecting people of their age across the UK, including the cost of university education, youth crime and how it can be tackled, and why over-60s get free transport but young people do not. They will also discuss the current state of job opportunities for young people and the possibility of lowering the voting age to 16. Justin Kempley MYP is the elected member representing Epping Forest.

Councillor Stephen Castle, Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The House of Commons is a fantastic arena for young people to debate the issues that really matter to them. We should do all we can to encourage participation in the politics and by giving the UK Youth Parliament such a prestigious stage we are sending the message that the voice of young people really counts.”

PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

The following planning applications will be considered by Epping Town Council's Planning and General Purposes Committee on Tuesday 3rd November 2009. If you wish to express your view to the committee on any of the application below, you can either email info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk or attend the meeting in person at Epping Hall, St. John's Road, Epping, CM16 5JU.

EPF/1917/09 - Mr. & Mrs. J. Firman, Roscommon, Hemnall Street, Epping - Single story side extensions.
EPF/1483/09 - Mr. G. Stevens, 82 Ivy Chimneys, Epping - Vehicle Crossover.
TPO/EPF/2008/09 - Mr. R. Fraser, 12 Kendall Avenue, Epping - Lime: Reduce crown by up to 4 meters. G2 Lime x 4. Reduce crown by up to 4 meters.
EPF/1078/09 (Revised) - Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, Bury Farm Cottages, Bury Lane, Epping - Demolition of two existing houses, single garage and outbuildings and closure of existing access. Construction of 2 detached four bedroom houses, 2 detached double garages, new internal access road and hard standing with associated landscaping.

THE REMARKABLE LEGACY JADE LEAVES BEHIND

Local resident Jade Goody's high-profile battle with cervical cancer has led an extra 400,000 more women to be screened for the disease in the past year.

A report released by the NHS Information Centre this week shows the number of women aged 25-64 having smear tests rose by 12% from 3.2 million to 3.6 million. The number of women being tested had been falling and this is the first rise since 2002. The most significant increase was among the younger age groups, clearly highlighting the effect Jade Goody‘s experience has had. As well as smear tests girls aged 12 and 13 now receive the HPV vaccine in school which provides protection against getting cervical cancer later in life.

Jade, 27, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008 and died in March this year after the disease spread to her bowel, liver and groin. Before she died she spoke about the importance of the screening procedure which is thought to save around 4,500 lives a year in England.

Health Secretary, Andy Burnham MP said: "Jade's bravery and openness in her fight against cervical cancer has brought home to young women across the country the importance of regularly going for these checks.”

MP ELEANOR LAING WINS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

The membership of the Epping Forest Conservative Association tonight returned a massive vote of confidence in Epping Forest MP, Eleanor Laing and rejected a motion to deselect her as their Member of Parliament. Eleanor won both a vote of confidence and a motion to deselect her by a substantial margin, (164 votes for, 32 against, 1 abstention giving a 83% return). Many members spoke highly of Eleanor for not only the good work she has done over the past 12 years but the support she is able to give as a sitting MP in the future.

This follows months of speculation and innuendo that the membership no longer had confidence in her following the MP's expenses scandal. The meeting was attended by 200 members of Epping Forest Conservative Association as well as regional officers from the Conservative Party and the Party's National Chairman, Eric Pickles MP, who was sent by Leader David Cameron to support Mrs. Laing. Mr. Pickles described Eleanor as "an outstanding woman, an excellent Member of Parliament and a key player in the next Conservative Government."

When asked how she viewed the result Eleanor said:
“I am happy that this matter can now be put to behind us and I can get on with the job of representing ALL my constituents, I have always said that I did nothing wrong but accept that the whole MP's expenses issue has made many of the electorate very angry with MP's in general and I endorse that view. Hopefully we can now concentrate on our task in hand to remove the Labour government and return David Cameron into office and get the country back on it's feet again. I will continue to work hard for the residents of Epping Forest as I have always done and look forward to meeting many of you on the door step over the next few months.”

Eleanor Laing has launched a new 'Misperceptions v's Facts' sheet, which you can find by clicking here.

FULL SUPPORT FROM CAMERON FOR MP LAING

I have, today, received a letter from the Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, confirming his support for Epping Forest MP, Eleanor Laing, which reads as follows:

“Dear Ben,

I understand that there is to be a Special General Meeting of Epping Forest Conservative Association on Monday 26th October to hold a vote of confidence in your Member of Parliament, Eleanor Laing. I am just writing to say that I sincerely hope that you will support Eleanor Laing at that meeting.

The issue of MPs’ expenses has been very damaging to politics. I have tried to make sure that the Conservative Party, and Conservative MPs, have responded to the public’s anger about what has happened, and I have taken a very firm line in cases where that has been necessary.

In Eleanor’s case, however, I want to make clear that she offered to make a substantial voluntary repayment at her own initiative, which she felt was the right thing to do under the circumstances. This should not be held against Eleanor. I too have made a voluntary repayment. What Eleanor has done is an indication that she, like the rest of the Party, takes the expenses issue extremely seriously. As you know, Sir Thomas Legg has written to Eleanor making clear that she has no issues to answer in relation to her expenses.

Eleanor works hard both as a Member of Parliament and as a member of my Front bench as Shadow Justice Minister. As we approach the General Election, it is very important that we pull together as a single team, and focus relentlessly on winning that election.

I want to make clear that Eleanor has my full support. I hope very much that you will go to the meeting on Monday, and vote for Eleanor to continue as your Member of Parliament, in the interests of both Epping Forest and of the Conservative Party.

Yours ever,

David Cameron"

LAUNCH OF EPPING’S POPPY APPEAL 2009

This year’s Poppy Appeal is underway in Epping and the Royal British Legion are reaching out to local residents to ask them to buy and proudly wear a poppy over the next couple of weeks to show their respect for those who have fallen whilst serving their country and also giving some thought to those who have been injured, but whom have returned home.

I, personally, will be especially remembering and paying tribute to the late Royal Marine Georgie Sparks from the Epping area, who was tragically killed in the north-west of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, Afghanistan on Thursday 27th November last year. Our community were shocked and saddened by his sudden death and many of us were incredibly moved at his funeral, which took place on what would have been his 20th Birthday. To me, Georgie’s bravery and his complete willingness to pay the ultimate price for the freedom of others epitomises a true hero to me. Someone who should be held up as a shining example to young people throughout our community. Renowned Filmmaker Chris Terrill describes his own experiences with Georgie Sparks for The Telegrapher here.

Please take the time to remember those who gave their tomorrow for our today and make every effort to attend one of our Remembrance events in Epping, which you can find by clicking here. For more information about the Poppy Appeal and what your money is used for, please click here.

LORD MAYOR OF EPPINGEN COMES TO TOWN

The Lord Mayor, or Oberbürgermeister, of Eppingen in Germany, Klaus Holaschke and his wife are due to arrive in Epping tomorrow and shall be spending the week attending official functions in and around Epping Forest with the aim of strengthening links between the twin-towns.

Some of the engagements will include an Oktoberfest dinner at Copped Hall which is being held this Saturday (24th October) at 6pm. Music will be provided by the Epping Forest Band, with a wide selection of food and drink on offer. There are a small number of tickets still available at £12.50 per head. If you are interested please email me by clicking here.

On Wednesday the Mayor’s of Epping and Eppingen will meet along with members of the Epping-Eppingen Town Twinning Association and Epping Town Council at a reception at Epping Hall.

For more information about the Town Twinning Association, please click here.