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.