Essex Police are appealing for help from anyone who was in the Station Road / Hemnall Street area of Epping around 8pm on Tuesday 30th June 2009.
Armed Police were called to the area following reports of a man brandishing a weapon after an argument. It was reported that an argument between a landlord and his tenant had got out of hand. Following a search of the property, no arrests were made and no weapons were found. Anyone who may have seen anything is being asked to contact Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.
Following my discussions with local residents and the increase in the number of road traffic accidents in the Bower Hill and Ivy Chimneys areas, I requested that Essex Police carry out some speed monitoring exercises during peak hours, i.e. 7am-9am and 3pm-5pm.
100 speed checks have now been carried out and of that 100, the top speed has come in at 37 miles per hour. Three other vehicles recorded at 36 mph. The average speed was 24.15 mph. Essex Police has issued 12 warnings to drivers travelling over the speed limit, the vast majority of whom were local residents. Essex Police will continue to monitor this situation in the weeks ahead and updates on results received will be shared on this website.
A new joint standing committee has been created by Epping Town Council to help forge closer links and ways of working between the Council and the Epping-Eppingen Town Twinning Association. The new committee of six will comprise of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and myself, plus the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and President of the Town Twinning Association.
The terms of reference for this committee will be: “To bring forward for discussion those items of information relevant to the town-twinning and to make recommendations to Council so as to forward the overall aims of the twinning arrangement for the benefit of the people of Epping and Eppingen.”
For more information on Epping’s great links with Eppingen in Germany or to become a member of the Association, please contact Tony Church on 01992 574680 or email him at tony@churchspires.com
At Epping Town Council’s last night, Councillors voted for Epping’s Town Show and Christmas Market to become annual events. At the moment they are both held every other year. This year’s Town Show cost the Council around £6,000 to stage, but had budgeted £10,000. It is estimated that between 9,000 to 10,000 people attended and this year there was no entrance fee. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve next year’s event, please email them to allaboutepping@googlemail.com
Epping Forest District Council’s area planning subcommittee east is due to consider planning application EPF/0585/09 submitted by Essex County Council and the Diocese of Chelmsford which relates to the land at St Johns C of E Secondary School in Tower Road, Epping.
In technical terms, this is a reserved matters application, which will consider siting, design, external appearance and landscaping for the demolition of the existing school, construction of new secondary school and a new residential development of 149 dwellings (flats/houses) including 38 affordable dwellings.
In December 2006, the Secretary of State approved outline permission for the demolition of St Johns School and erection of a new school together with a residential development. The principle of the development is therefore already agreed, including the means of access to the site, so this is more about deciding how the building is carried out, not whether this should be carried out. The full details of the planning application are available by clicking here. You will find the information on pages 7 to 16.
Essex Police have today implemented a new Home Office initiative to double the fine drivers caught without wearing a seatbelt. The charge was a £30 on the spot fine, which has been increased to £60. The plans were announced following a government consultation which found that 14% of all drivers still don't bother to wear seatbelts, even though they have been proved to reduce the risk of dying in a 30mph crash by 60 percent.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "We need to go further to make it clear to those who do not obey the rules that they are not only risking their lives but others too.” For more information on seatbelt requirements in Essex, please click here.
The Epping Town Guide for 2009-2010 has recently been launched by Epping Town Council and provides information about Epping and the surrounding area, including a list of buildings of special architectural or historical interest. It also lists the Council's responsibilities with regard to the town and there is information about Churches and Education in Epping plus details of restaurants, shopping, local businesses and things to see and do. You may download a copy here or alternatively contact the Town Council on 01992 57944 or by emailing info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk
Please click on the image above for a larger version of this recruitment advert, or alternatively, please contact Dave Miller at dwofclapton@aol.com
Essex Police have found themselves in a worrying position this week as the lawyer employed by England and Tottenham Hotspur football player, Jermain Defoe to fight against two separate speeding fines for travelling at 81mph and 65mph in a 50mph zone on the M11 near Chigwell and two counts of not telling police who was behind the wheel at the time (for which the charges carry 18 penalty points) has uncovered a loophole which could cost them millions of pounds.
Mr. Defoe’s lawyer has suggested that a worker at the safety camera unit of Essex Police did not have the authorisation from the Chief Constable to sign section 20 certificates which are produced when drivers plead not guilty to speeding allegations. This claim is currently being investigated by Essex Police and the Crime Prosecution Service, but in the meantime, Mr. Defoe has been granted a stay of execution.
It has been suggested that the alleged blunder could cost Essex Police many millions of pounds as drivers who pleaded not guilty reclaim money from fines, legal costs and also compensation for increased insurance premiums, losing their jobs, homes and perhaps even their marriages. It is said that drivers who pleaded guilty to speeding offences may also have a case to appeal as the evidence presented to them may have been 'false'. A spokesman for Essex Police has stated that this issue would only affect a proportion of cases heard in the magistrates court since March 2007. The court is due to reconvene in two weeks to consider this matter. We will keep you 'up to speed'...!!
Essex County Council has just released their new travel information guide - ‘Bus and Train Maps for Essex: Summer 2009’.
The publications is available free of charge and can be obtained from the Civic Offices in Epping High Street or from Essex County Council on 0845 603 7631 or by emailing publictransport@essex.gov.uk Alternatively, you can visit their website by clicking here.
On Tuesday 30th June, Epping Town Council are being asked to consider a proposal to rotate a number of benches located on the green in Church Hill, by Epping’s War Memorial, by 180 degrees, so that they no longer face the road and instead face towards the Catholic Church. As residents will know, several events take place on the Green throughout the calendar year, including Proms on the Green and the Christmas Carol Service. However, each of the benches cost £600 to replace (plus a large amount of grounds staff resources) and it is highly possible that the benches may be significantly damaged by attempted to move them. An alternative proposal is to simply replace each of the benches over time as and when they require replacement and when they do, to reinstall them the other way around.
What do you think of this proposal? Do you agree that there is no benefit to the benches facing the road? Do you think this should be a priority for the Town Council. Please leave your comments below or email me at allaboutepping@googlemail.com
Epping High Street will be hosting it’s monthly Farmers Market on Friday 3rd July 2009 from 9am to 1pm. The market boats a range of local traders who are on hand to serve up some of the finest produce in Essex. If you are planning a BBQ why not try some locally produced cuts of organic meat, fresh fish or speciality sausages served with some deliciously fresh crisp summer salad? Round off the perfect summer meal with a selection of delicious cheeses, mouth-watering desserts and fresh home-made bread.
The market takes place on the first Friday of every month, so upcoming dates will be 7th August, 4th September, 2nd October, 6th November and 4th December (Epping’s Christmas Market). For more information about Essex Farmers Market, please click here. Alternatively, you can call them on 01277 362 414 or email info@essexfarmersmarkets.co.uk
Epping Forest Youth Council is an elected group of non-arty political young people between the ages of 13 to 19 who live in the Epping Forest District. The Youth Council was formed in 2007 primarily to involve young people in the decisions made by Epping Forest District Council. The Council wanted to know what young people thought about its services and about the issues that affect them.
The Youth Councillors are now planning the 2nd Youth Election and schools, youth groups and Epping Forest College will hold Youth Elections at the end of September. Any one aged 13 to 17 who lives in Epping Forest can nominate themselves to stand as a Youth Councillor and, if elected, they will sit for 2 years and be required to attend 2 evening meetings a month. There are 5 independent seats for young people who either attend school or College outside of the district, are excluded from school, home educated or are working.
For more information, you can download an information pack by clicking here. Alternatively, you can contact Dian Butler, Young Persons’ Officer on 01992 564365 or by emailing her at dbutler@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Epping-based charity, the Rhys Daniel's Trust is once again hosting their Family Fun Run on Sunday 5th July 2009 to raise funds for their 'Home from Home' appeal. This year will celebrate the 14th year of the 5 mile race taking place, which starts at Epping Sport Centre in Hemnall Street and progresses through Bell Common and into Epping Forest in a loop ending back in Hemnall Street. I had the honour of starting last year's race which was won by Snooker World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan and also saw an entry from 101 year old Buster Martin.
If you would like to enter this year's race or could help the charity on the day by acting as a mashall, please call 01992 570550 or email info@rhysdanielstrust.org or for further information on last year's race, please click here.
Essex Business Link is hosting a Business Open Day on Friday 3rd July 2009 from 11am to 4pm at Loughton Cricket Club. This free of charge event open to local businesses of all sizes and from all sectors based in Epping Forest.
Attendees will be able to find out more about Essex County Council’s recently launched ‘Banking on Essex’ initiative, network with fellow businesses and relax and watch some live cricket. Epping Forest District Council will be on hand to discuss any queries you might have about business rate relief, planning or local business support. Other partners in attendance will include the Federation of Small Businesses, Epping Forest Chamber of Commerce, HM Revenue & Customs, the Institute of Directors and Jobcentre Plus.
To register to attend the event, please contact Tony Barritt on 07824 463 932 or at t.barrit@businesslinkeast.org.uk or you can download a copy of the flyer for this event by clicking here.
The following planning applications will be considered by Epping Town Council's Planning and General Purposes Committee on Tuesday 30th June 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/0971/09 - 2 Bell Farm Cottages, High Road, Epping - Two storey rear extension with canopy, alteration to windows and detached garage.
EPF/0978/09 - 16 Lynceley Grange, Epping - Single storey rear extension (together with conversion of rear part of garage to utility room).
EPF/0991/09 - 9 Park Side, Epping - Single storey rear extension.
EPF/1020/09 - Caffe Nero, 271 High Street, Epping - Retention of ground floor A1 (retail shop) / A3 (food & drink) use.
EPF/0865/09 - 25 Crows Road, Epping - Single Storey rear extension.
* Parking Review Consultation - further details available here.
Epping Forest’s Animal Welfare Service and Countrycare would like your assistance in promoting the welfare of native reptiles and amphibians and to encourage residents to make them welcome in their gardens. 1st prize in both age groups are light weight binoculars and 2nd prize are a Pond Dipping Kit.
5 to 9 year olds are being asked to colour in the illustration of a garden pond which can be downloaded here. There are 4 animals for you to find and identify.
10 to 16 year olds are being asked to draw or design a leaflet on one of the Four Species Groups: Newts (Urodeles), Frogs and Toads (Anurans), Snakes (Serpentes) or Lizards (Sauria). Artwork should be no larger than A4 and be as informative as possible, describing the animals, their habitats and their role in our environment, giving advice on how to encourage them to live in safety within our gardens.
Send your entries to: The Animal Welfare Service, Epping Forest District Council, Civic Offices, High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ together with your name address telephone number and age. Mark your envelope “Wildlife Competition.” The closing date for entries is 1st October 2009. Competition guidelines and rules can be found by clicking here.
Recently released Government plans could see the introduction of new requirements for the West Essex Primary Care Trust to provide preferential medical treatment to Gypsies and Travellers in the Epping Forest district.
Epping Forest MP, Eleanor Laing has written to the Secretary of State for Health, Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham MP, following the publication of guidelines to NHS practitioners, stating: "There is already considerable pressure on GPs and my local hospital as well as a severe shortage of dentists in the Epping Forest district. In addition the Government is ordering Epping Forest district to provide 39 new pitches for gypsies and travellers between now and 2011. Indeed, the district is required to provide more sites (44.7 per 1,000 new dwellings) in relation to new dwellings than any other local authority in the East of England. This disproportionate requirement would have put impossible pressure on the infrastructure of the area even before the publication of today’s guidelines. On average there are two caravans per pitch, which could amount to up to 500 gypsies and travellers moving into Epping 
Forest district, all of whom would have preferential access to local health services under these new guidelines. This would create an unbearable strain on local amenities which are already struggling to cope with the everyday needs of my constituents."
Mrs Laing has also asked Mr Burnham to confirm what additional resources will be made available to the district's health services to enable them to carry out the extra statutory responsibilities being imposed on them and stated: "We all agree that gypsies and travellers must be treated equally in accessing NHS services, but attempts to create a balanced and integrated society, including within it gypsies and travellers, will be damaged if local people see their own families suffer as a result of the Government giving priority to gypsies and travellers." A full copy of the letter is available here.
If you would like to join the campaign to oppose the Governments plans to introduce new Gypsy and Traveller sites in Epping, please click here. Alternatively, you can keep up-to-date with developments by clicking here.
Once again, Epping’s social event of the year is almost upon us and the rolling, hallowed fields of Essex will once again thunder with the hooves of polo horses at The Duke of Essex Polo Cup on Saturday 4th July 2009 at the renowned Gaynes Park Estate in Coopersale. The event provides an opportunity for anyone to attend, whatever your budget. This year's event will see Katie Price acting as Patron and, as such, she will be starting the match, presenting the prizes and taking part in a fashion show.
The Family Picnic area offers a huge funfair, face painting, clowns, balloon artists, quad bikes, 4 x 4 trips, clay pigeon shooting, skydivers, helicopter trips, aircraft dogfights, marching bands, Pony Club championships, motorbike displays, BBQ and much more. There will be a fully licensed bar selling all alcoholic and soft drinks. There is literally all-day-fun for all ages in the very informal Family Area. Tickets for access to the Family Area are sold at £10 for adults and £5 for children. For more information, click here.
Guests in the VIP Players Marquee will start with a champagne and canapés reception which will lead into a gourmet four-course luncheon. Following lunch, there will be celebrity charity auction after which the polo match ball will then be delivered by skydivers, descending onto the pitch from a military aircraft, plunging 3,000 feet in seconds! Flags and smoke will alert the crowds as to the match ball carrier. Once on the ground the skydivers will salute the crowds before presenting the ball for the throw-in and the tournament will commence. After the polo prize-giving ceremony, there will be two after-parties hosted in separate marquees, with live music, celebrity DJ’s and a dance floor needing to be filled! This year we see the launch of The Duke's Marquee that will feature live acts, singers and entertainment, lounge style seating and VIP areas for the more discerning clubber; ultimately aimed at guests over 30 years of age. The Players Marquee as in previous years will be hosted by Poshfunk and will be transformed into another decadent nightclub with top, celebrity DJs. All day tickets to access the VIP Players Marquee are sold at £150 per person. For more information, click here.
It is with great sadness I report that the 71-year-old gentleman who was involved in a collision with a white Mercedes Sprinter this morning outside of Tesco in Epping High Street has died in the Royal London Hospital. He has been named as James Pritchard from Mott Street in Waltham Abbey.
A 70-year-old man from Sawbridgeworth has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and has been questioned at Loughton Police Station and since released on police bail until 21st September.
Any witnesses are urged to contact investigating officers at Chigwell Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444.
Many residents have been asking why some of Epping’s High Street has been cordoned off by police today. Unfortunately a serious road traffic incident occurred at 11am today where a pensioner was hit by a car whilst crossing the road by Tesco’s.
I happened to be in the location at the time and I, like many other residents was deeply upset at what I saw. Traffic was diverted whilst an air ambulance landed in the High Street and airlifted the gentleman off to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, which is a specialist centre for significant head injuries.
As much as this sort of event is a shock to the system and deeply upsetting, I never cease to be amazed at the way ordinary members of our community leap to help when tragedy strikes. Within seconds of the accident people had rushed to help both the driver and the injured gentleman. Others had begun to divert the traffic to ensure the safety of the general public and motorists. It really is heartening to know that good Samaritans remain in their numbers in Epping. I hope you will all join me in praying for all of those who have been affected by this awful incident. I will update the site as and when new information is received.
Cllr. Mrs. Penny Smith, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council raised the Armed Forces Day flag next to the Union Jack at the Civic Offices in Epping High Street where it shall fly all week. Cllr. Mrs. Smith was accompanied by a piper from the Epping Forest Pipe Band and supported by the Rev'd Bryony Morrison. For more information about Armed Forces Day, please click here.
The event was also celebrated by British troops in Iraq, such as the Kuqait Support Facility. Pictured above are AB1 Amy Cooperthwaite of the Royal Navy, aged 25, Private Kayleigh Dring who is an Army Medic, aged 21 and Cpl Lisa Dowling of the Royal Air Force, aged 28 in front of a Heavy Equipment Transporter. Cpl Lisa Dowling said "I feel that the Armed Forces Day has been a long time coming”, whilst AB1 Amy Cooperthwaite said "I feel proud to be celebrating Armed Forces Day."
The UK’s first Armed Forces Day is due to take place on Saturday 27th June 2009, and is an opportunity for the nation to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, and from veterans to recruits.
Across the county people are getting involved: communities are holding local events, businesses are showing their support through promotional offers, and to kick off the proceedings, local authorities are holding flag-raising ceremonies on 22nd June. Both Epping Town Council and Epping Forest District Council will be marking this occasion by raising the Union Jack. A short public service will be held outside of the Civic Offices in Epping High Street 10.30am on Monday 22nd June, lead by the Rev’d Bryony Morrison and attended by the Royal British Legion who will present standards from across the district whilst a piper will play. The Chairman of Council, Cllr. Mrs. Penny Smith will raise the flag.
Other events over the weekend of the 27th June will take place at Hylands House in Chelmsford. More information is available if you click here.
At Harlow Magistrates’ Court on 2nd June 2009, Mr Philip Knowles of Bridge Hill, Epping pleaded guilty to 13 offences of wilfully destroying trees on land adjacent to Eppingdene, Ivy Chimneys Road, Epping which is the subject of a Tree Preservation Order made in 1990, without authorisation of Epping Forest District Council. The Magistrates fined Mr Knowles £400 in respect of each tree destroyed, totalling £5,200. He was ordered to pay prosecution costs to the Council of £297.46.
The unauthorised works carried out involved the cutting down of 13 mature trees being a mixture of Sycamore, Ash, Oak and Field Maple. On 23 January 2009 a member of the public reported the cutting down of trees to the Council. Officers visited the site immediately and stopped Mr Knowles, who was on site, from carrying out any further work. Philip Knowles admitted that he had carried out the work to the trees. During two interviews under caution, Mr Knowles denied that he was aware that a Tree Preservation Order affected the land and indicated that checks had been carried out on his behalf before he purchased the land. He was fully aware of the law relating to preserved trees. At the court hearing on 2 June, it was admitted that Mr Knowles had bought the land ‘blind’ by auction and that no checks had been carried out prior to his purchase.
In mitigation, the Court was told that Mr Knowles has now replanted part of the land with approximately 100 saplings (whips) of native species with the aid of the local school that are now using the area as an educational wildlife area. He has supplied relevant educational booklets to the school and spent £3,000 to put up a fence separating this area from another field where he plans to graze horses. The Council’s estimate of the value of the trees cut down is £80,350.
As residents will know, a review of parking took place in Epping during 2007, from which various new parking regulations were implemented, especially in the roads around Epping Underground Station, which were suffering from commuter parking.
The plans which were implemented focused on the following:
* Regulate commuter and long term non-residents parking from the area.
* Improve road safety by removing obstructive parking from junctions.
* To reduce the level of traffic in the area by regulating parking on street.
* To attract more customers to the businesses – by allowing a greater turn over of parking spaces.
Many residents have complained about the changes and some have made proposals on how further changes can be made to ensure the aims above can be achieved. Essex County Council are asking local residents for the last time what they think of the proposed amendments. Plans for each of the areas can be found by clicking here.
You only have until Friday 4th July 2009 to have your say on the proposals. You can do so by email at highways.westarea@essex.gov.uk or by writing to: Epping Parking Review Team, Sustainability, Environment and Highways, West Area Office, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5DX. The results of this review will be considered firstly by the Epping Forest District Council’s Civil Engineering Portfolio Holder and then by the Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation. It is proposed that any changes will be implemented from November 2009 onwards.
Essex Police are appealing for help from anyone who was in the Station Road / Hemnall Street area of Epping around 8pm on Tuesday 30th June 2009.
