It was, with great sadness I received the news that long-standing Epping resident, Ted Ellis had died this week aged 82. Ted and his wonderful wife Mavis had lived in Egg Hall for over 40 years, relocating to Southampton only last year to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. Their departure left an enormous void in the exemplary way Epping’s voluntary community has operated for so long. It’s very difficult to talk about Ted without mentioning Mavis – as a couple, they were inseparable. Wherever one took the lead, the other was right behind them, which is precisely why in 2009 I had the honour of presenting them with a joint ‘Townsperson of the Year’ award, for services to the community. Ted and Mavis had held some form of position in just about every organisation, charity and voluntary group Epping has seen! If it wasn’t the Cine and Video Club, it was the Epping Society, or the Cancer Research UK organisation, or organising forest walks, or planting new trees in the High Street or protecting the town’s historic character…the list goes on.
Despite the fact that both Ted and Mavis were in their 80s, they would regularly volunteer to deliver information leaflets or newsletters for local organisations or the Town Council, walking miles across the town. Every year, they would be the first to sign-up to put-up and take down the Christmas tree lights. For years the spent hours decorating carnival floats for the fireworks procession. Ted was a genuine gentleman, who had respect and kindness for everyone he came across. He was encouraging and generous and a shining example of what a “good Samaritan” should be.
