Village News Issue 86 June 2014 Page 2 June V News.pdf · Village News Issue 86 June 2014 Page 4 Parish Council Chairman’s Report This is the last column of the Council's year

Village News Issue 86 June 2014 Page 2

Ray Cooney - Theydon’s Man of Mirth

You may not be aware that Theydon Bois is the long-time home of the most successful English

playwright since Shakespeare! Village News recently met Ray Cooney in the beautiful house

which has been home to Ray and his wife, Linda for 51 years.

Ray Cooney has been making people laugh for much of his 82 years on this planet in a myriad

of roles whether it be as actor, director, playwright, producer, and screenwriter or theatre owner.

He is internationally recognised as the finest living writer of the form of theatre known as

‘Farce’ and many actors have benefited from his writing genius and influence as well as actor/

director. He has been described as a ‘National Treasure’ by one of the most demanding of

Theatre critics. Ray’s plays with cheeky titles such as Run For Y our Wife, Not Now, Darling

and Why Not Stay For Breakfast have been staged worldwide and translated into 40 foreign

languages including Chinese, Japanese and Russian. It is estimated that over 100 million tickets

have been sold throughout the world for Ray Cooney plays.

When talking to Ray it is clear that he is a great philanthropist with a very kind heart and he and

Linda are active supporters of many and varied charitable causes. In 2005 Ray was made an

officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his services to drama.

How did you get into acting and why did you decide to write farces? - From the age of ten

all I wanted was to be was Marlon Brando or Laurence Olivier. In the 1940’s you could leave

school at 14 so I persuaded my parents to let me get out on my 14th birthday. I have never

looked back! I therefore began my theatrical career as a boy actor, appearing in Song of Norway

in 1946. I served my apprenticeship by playing in various repertory companies around the UK

before joining Brian Rix’s company at the Whitehall Theatre in 1956. I guess this was the style

of play I was appearing in at the time, and because it appealed to the kind of crazy mind I have.


Ray Cooney - Theydon’s Man of Mirth (continued)

What has been the

highlight of your career?

- It’s difficult to pinpoint

any one thing, but seeing

the plays translated into

many languages and

staged across the globe has

been wonderful. Probably

my most successful play

has been Run For Y our

Wife which ran for nine

years in the West End, has

been translated into 35

languages and been

performed all over the

world. However, each play

is the most enjoyable when

it is your baby! Another high point was a collaboration with my son, Michael titled Tom Dick

and Harry. The amazing thing was that we spent six months six thousand miles apart with the

pair of us emailing the rewrites, we never actually met to discuss it!

Have any of your plays been made into movies? - In 2013 Run

For Your Wife had its world premiere in Leicester Square and has

now come out on DVD. I asked lots of chums who I had worked with

over the past 60 years to play a cameo role. They all agreed and so

the film has appearances by Judi Dench, Cliff Richard, Danny Dyer,

Neil Morrissey and Denise Van Outen.

What makes you laugh? - I don’t watch much TV but enjoyed

Ricky Gervais’ The Office which I thought was very funny.

How long have you lived in the Village and what brought you to

the area? What do you like about your home? - Linda and I

married in 1962 and were looking for a base equidistant between our

respective families. Our home here fitted the bill and we fell in love

with it. The great thing is that the garden in particular is a continuing project which keeps

developing. Every year I try to take the month of May off to progress garden projects.

Who is family? - Wife Linda, sons Danny (who lives in Australia) and Michael (a

screenwriter who lives in LA), and four grandchildren. Also, five rescue cats who have chosen

(wisely!) to move in and make their home here.

Are you involved in the village & has the area changed since you moved here? - Linda is

exhibiting her work at the Theydon Art Show in the Village Hall. We support Theydon Bois

Donkey Derby every year, and also open our garden for the annual Open Gardens. There have

been changes of course but essentially no, living in the village and being part of the community

still gives one a cosy feeling and a real sense of belonging.

In spite of Ray’s banter, Sally manages to take notes for Village News


Parish Council Chairman’s Report

This is the last column of the Council's year. By the time that you read this, we will have

had both our annual Parish Meeting and then the annual Parish Council. There may have been

some changes in our committees, but I will have announced the next Theydon Bois Villager of

the year. I hope that we will have seen many of you at these opportunities for a review of what

has happened in the past year,

Since the last time, we, as a Parish Council, have made a couple of key decisions. Firstly, I

know that many of you have concerns about the parking on The Green at the junction of Chapel

Road and Loughton Lane. We got the North Essex Parking Partnership down to do an

assessment; their view was that the area did not justify parking enforcement measures. We felt,

as many of you have told us, that the situation was significantly worse than that and required

action. We have decided that we will put up to £5000 of Council money towards getting lines

put in to improve the safety of that junction. We do not, as yet, have any information about

scheduling of that action, but we will continue to press for progress and will keep you updated

with what is happening.

The second key decision we made was to request Epping Forest District Council to classify

Theydon Bois as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of creating a Neighbourhood plan.

This is a mechanism whereby we, as a village, will have more control over the impact of the

new Local Plan and potential building in the village. This will allow us to plan for action, but

we do not need to do anything else so far and we will keep the expense to a minimum for as

long as we can.

In April, I opened the show flat at the new Pavilion Court. This development on the Green has

been noticed by many of you and overwhelmingly with a positive reaction. It is a good example

of how, by working closely with the developers, we can get a building that improves the village.

The other benefit is that Banner Homes made a donation of £500 to the Playground at Theydon.

I would also like to recognise the immense achievement of our Village News team who have

won the 2013 Community magazine award. We all appreciate the work that Tony and Jim put in

to the magazine and add our congratulations for this deserved award.

Finally, I would like to record our thanks to two of our employees. Sally Crone has served the

Council over many years as assistant Clerk, Parish Clerk and finally Planning Clerk. Sally has

decided that the time is right to step down from these roles to concentrate on her other work and

all of the many other jobs she seems to get roped into around the village. We will miss her and

the professionalism she brought to all the tasks she undertook. We also have to say goodbye to

Sarah Barnes who has been our Minute Secretary and Assistant Clerk. Sarah is leaving to go

into full time work in London. We want to thank her for all she has done in the

time she has been with us.

We are, therefore, looking for a replacement for Sarah, and will be advertising in

the near future to fill the role within the Parish Council. If you are interested in

working with us, please contact the Clerk in the Parish Office to indicate your

interest. We will follow up with you when we advertise the position. It just

remains to thank you for your support for what we do and we look forward to

seeing you at one of our meetings in the near future.

JOHN PHILIP


Highways & Environment Report

The problem with commuters parking on The Green and other roads in the Village is ongoing.

We are expecting some change in Policy Direction from EFDC with regard to NEPP (North

East Parking Partnership) later this month which should give our case a stronger basis.

However we suffer from an almost complete lack of accountability within the Highways

Department at Essex County Council as well as from the similarly styled NEPP Partnership.

There is little rapport or continuity with officers in the “remote” call centre “designed for our

needs“, nor any understanding for the immediacy of needs required to sustain a modern Parish.

However, on a more positive

note we have had the bell mouth

to the Queen Victoria car park

and sections of the crossroads re

-surfaced. In addition the Bus

Shelter roof has been re-

furbished with Perspex put in

the window openings to make

the facility “almost draft free”.

Regarding other matters, the

Tree Strategy Group has been

busy with the new Landmark

Trees project which aims to

identify trees of some

significance and in turn provide

more protection for them in the

future.

ANTHONY PURKISS

Resurfacing bell mouth

Pressure cleaning at the cemetery Bus shelter repair


The summer months are the perfect time to visit Kew Gardens. From Theydon there are several

ways to get to Kew by Tube and Overground rail services but the most relaxing and picturesque

route is by a Thames River Boat from Westminster pier. The trip takes approximately one and a

half hours and times and prices can be found on the website www.wpsa.co.uk

Our Captain gave us an interesting commentary as we passed by a number of iconic London

buildings including: The Houses of Parliament; Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the

Archbishop of Canterbury since the 13th century; the Tate Gallery, the famous art gallery estab-

lished by Sir William Tate the sugar millionaire; the Royal Hospital Chelsea, designed by Sir

Christopher Wren and home to the Chelsea pensioners; Battersea Power Station, now being

restored and developed into luxury apartments. As the boat proceeds down river the water traffic

thins out and more rowers and recreational sailors were seen as we passed Mortlake and Chis-

wick - the bridge at Chiswick is the finishing line for the university boat race.

Once you arrive at Kew the first challenge for the day is

to decide what you want to do. A good way to get an

overall view of the site is to take the Kew Explorer Train

for a 40 minute tour with commentary – a day ticket ena-

bles you to hop on and off at various stops, or you can

join one of the free guided tours which will focus on a

theme depending on what current exhibitions are on – the

Kew Gardens Summer Festival 2014 is “Plantasia” which

features the life-enhancing power of plants.

Days Out From Theydon - Kew Gardens & Palace by River Boat

http://www.wpsa.co.uk


Days Out From Theydon - Kew Gardens & Palace by River Boat

On our visit we decided to visit Kew Palace, a delightful

17th century red brick building which was bought by the

Royal family in the mid 18th century and where King

George III, his wife Queen Charlotte and several of his

daughters lived very modestly during family and constitu-

tional crises caused by the King’s apparent mental illness.

As you make your way from room to room a recorded

“sound drama” gives a very poignant feeling of the royal

story.

As a complete con-

trast we then went to

the Rhizatron (an

underground exhibit

on tree roots and life

underground) before taking the elevator up to the Treetop

Walkway which gives a unique view of the Arboretum –

good fun for children! We could see the amazing Tem-

perate House from the Treetop Walkway but unfortunate-

ly it is currently closed for a major restoration but instead

we just had time to visit the equally impressive Palm

House, completed in 1848 to house the exotic plants

brought home by Victorian explorers and botanists. If

you want to know what it feels like in a tropical rainfor-

est this is your chance - it contains species from Africa,

the Americas, Asia, Australasia and the Pacific many of

which soar upwards to the iron and glass roof.

There are so many attractions at Kew it is hard to list them – as well as those we visited there are

two art galleries, glasshouses for water lilies, orchids and alpines, gardens featuring roses, grass-

es, aquatic plants, azaleas, rare trees from throughout the world. There is a special play area for

children and several places to eat and drink. We left exhausted and wishing we had the energy to

explore further – this is definitely a place to which you will want to return. Full information

about Kew’s Opening Times and Admission prices are on their website: www.kew.org

http://www.kew.org


News from County Hall

The topography of Theydon Bois means most vehicles entering the village do so downhill.

Vehicles can gather speed as they come into the residential area almost without the driver being

aware (although that is no excuse).

I took residents’ concerns about the speed of traffic approaching the zebra crossing, downhill

over the viaduct, to the Local Highways Panel. Recently I received the highways engineers’

feasibility report. The speed survey shows the average speed of traffic on the downhill section of

the viaduct entering the village is 33.3mph, above the speed limit of 30mph.

The suggested options to slow traffic include changes to warning signs and road markings to

make the start of the 30mph speed limit more obvious. Potentially the 30mph zone could also be

moved so it starts before the beginning of the downhill section of the viaduct.

The Local Highways Panel is due to take a decision on whether to implement these changes in

July. I would welcome feedback from villagers.

Other local matters put forward to the Local Highways Panel are measures to address pavement

parking in Forest Drive and improvements to the access road for the allotments (at the request of

the parish council). Unfortunately the panel doesn’t have power to implement yellow line

parking restrictions or do pavement maintenance.

Annual County Council meeting – Essex County Council held its annual meeting on Tuesday

13 May. Councillor David Finch from Braintree district continues as Leader of Essex County

Council. The most controversial part of the meeting came when the majority Conservative group

voted to increase the number of their members who receive £13,375 as ‘deputies’ to the ten

Cabinet members from nine to eleven. I didn’t think this was justified and voted against.

The majority also defeated a motion to abandon the proposed cut in funding for school crossing

patrols. This concerns me as one of our local schools (Epping Primary) has a school crossing

patrol facing the axe and the sum of money involved is relatively modest.

Tour de France – It’s now less than two months until the Tour de France caravan makes its

way through Epping and along the Epping New Road on Monday 7 July. Since the last

newsletter it has been agreed the route will close in our area at 9am rather than 8am, which will

make a big difference to those who need to get to work via the M25 or A104. After 9am roads

which lead directly to the route, such as Coppice Row between Piercing Hill and the Wakes

Arms, will be access only.

It should be a very exciting day but we also need to plan and prepare for the associated

disruption. In particular I am seeking more information about how “fly-

parking” (people abandoning cars in inappropriate locations and then walking

up to the route) will be dealt with. As ever please get in touch if there are any

county council related issues you wish to raise.

Councillor Jon Whitehouse

County member for Epping & Theydon Bois

Telephone 01992 561875

Email: [email protected]


District Councillors Column

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

JOHN PHILIP - 812473 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

SUE JONES - 814548

[email protected] [email protected]

At the end of another council year it is important to see areas that we have made progress on.

One key delivery from EFDC has been our commitment to keep Council Tax low. For the

fourth year in a row we have been able to help our residents by making no increase to the level

of Council Tax. We have done this while, at the same time, preserving the services we deliver.

As a council we have reduced expense in the senior management by a re-organisation, reducing

the number of positions to be filled and setting the organisation up to be more focused on

service delivery. We are well through the process of appointing a new Waste Collection

contractor. The main difference here is that it will be based on collections from Tuesday to

Friday, removing much of the disruption caused by Bank Holidays. The aim is, as well, to

reduce the cost to the council and therefore the pressure on Council Tax.

We are also watching the progress of the Local Plan. EFDC has not yet adopted all the pieces

of evidence needed to give a clear view of what the level of growth required in the District is

going to be. Indications are, though, that we will be looking at the next stage of public

consultation in the October timeframe. We will be giving more information on this in our next

column and any information updates will be published on John's web site. We continue to

press to make sure that Theydon Bois is well represented in all discussions.

Sue would like to thank everyone who voted for her in the District Council Elections. She is

very happy to be representing the village again for the next four years. It has been good, in the

election campaign, to meet so many of you on the doorstep, where we get the chance to talk

about the things that are concerning you. We do remember that we are elected to represent all

of you regardless of which way you voted, and we will continue to

work to that end.

We do want to remind you of our monthly surgeries. These take

place on the first Saturday every month from 11 am until noon, in

the Queen Victoria pub. Everyone is welcome so just drop in as no

appointments are required. We look forward to seeing you there.

Theydon Bois voting at St. Mary’s Church Hall, District counting in the Village Hall


A Theydon Boy’s Memories (part 3)

Bob Day was born in Theydon and is still a very active 84 year old member of

our community. He recalled some of his early life in Theydon at the 2013 Rural

Preservation Society AGM talk. Part 1 of his ‘Memories’ was in the September

2013 and Part 2 in March 2014 issues.

The War (continued)

Special Neighbour - Living next door to us in Blackacre

Road was the Broadbent family. Fred Broadbent was the Registrar of

Births, Deaths and Marriages somewhere in East London. Also, taking

great interest in the village and drama, his children, Pamela, Colin and

Anita were all our playmates and friends Colin and I swapped our comics

‘Beano’ and ‘Dandy’ each week. When the first bomb came they decided

that the children would be safer with their grandmother in Anglesey,

North Wales. However, they were there only a short time when on a

Sunday on the way to Church an Army lorry left the road on a bridge and

struck Colin, killing him. His poor mother was heartbroken and it was a

big knock for all of us.

The Army and Retreats - The Army moved into the village, Many soldiers were housed in

the tea rooms of the retreats and in huts erected in the forest. Their army trucks were all along

the avenue, both sides of the trees, partially hidden by the trees. In the mornings many soldiers

would be sitting along the ditch near Woburn Avenue, shaving as we walked off to school.

Then, on 9th November 1940, we were in our cellar sleeping. There were two very large

explosions. We felt the house shake. Next

morning, we were going off to school but were

aware of much commotion along Coppice Row.

We just had to investigate. We were pleased to

salvage a piece of green silk parachute, taking it

home. I think my mother made use of it. We were

now late for school and were told off. I later found

out about all the 33 soldiers of the King’s Own

Scottish Borderers that had been killed. There is

now the Memorial Plaque (left) in St Mary’s

Church listing all those killed.

Only last year, my wife was in the church making

up the flower arrangements when a couple came in asking her about the bombing as her uncle

was one of those killed. She said that I had some information so I was called to the church to

tell my tale. They later wrote to thank me saying that they had been comforted to see the site

and to hear about the event. The second land mine landed in the forest just behind Braeside

causing damage to many houses. The holes in the forest can still be seen.

Many local boys were off to the Army, Air Force and Navy. It was not long before lives were

being lost. George Wipps living just down from us in Blackacre Road, then A Kemp from the

top of Hill Road, he had been one of our scout leaders, then Mead of Woburn Avenue and Paul

Adler of Piercing Hill to mention but a few.


A Theydon Boy’s Memories (part 3) continued)

However despite the sadness and losses, at the end of the war, we had many parties and

celebrations for VE Day and VJ Day. Then returning to the village was a young man who was

raised and lived in Red Oaks Mead. His father worked at Little Gregories. He had been held in

a Japanese prison, he was so thin and malnourished. Also there was a man who was the prison

governor in Singapore for the British. When the Japanese invaded he was imprisoned in his

own prison. He came home to live in The Weind.

Aircraft Dump - Later in the war it was decided to

use part of Pakes Farm as a dump for crashed aircraft,

this covered an area from Cross Green now called Green

Glade back to the railway line then to the boundary with

“Trail” cottage. Large articulated RAF lorries arrived

daily loaded with fuselages and wing sections of mostly

American aircraft and gliders. They were piled 3 or 4

high in the fields, we would go down in the evening to

investigate. Climbing through the planes I retrieved one

keepsake, a cockpit lamp from an American Flying

Fortress, which I still have, (photo right). After the war

a firm called RJ Coley came, cut up all the planes into

small sections, loaded them onto a truck and then

transported them to Theydon Bois goods yard. There

they were loaded onto trucks and taken away for

recycling, Mr Preston who still lives in Buxton Road

was the truck driver.

Epping School - With most other Theydon Bois children during the war we were moved on to

St Johns School Epping travelling by train daily. Other clever children went to Buckhurst Hill

Boys or Loughton High for Girls or Loughton red caps. The war was still prominent, a number

of wounded servicemen would be walking down from St Margaret’s Hospital in a special blue

uniform with bandages. Often we would all still rush to the shelter when the siren went off. We

also spent part of our time on the allotments and this allowed the evacuees to share our

classrooms. The government then announced the 6

weeks summer holiday would be cut to 4 we could

then have 2 weeks at the beginning of October to

help with the potato harvest etc. When this

“holiday” came around I was sent to Baldocks

Farm, the field on Piercing Hill now the second

part of Theydon Golf Club to help. Potato picking

was very cold, back aching and demanding, so I

and my mate called on the Trimby brothers at the

greenhouses in Loughton Lane looking for work

and were paid to clear the old tomatoes, plants and

supporting strings. Stripping off red and green

tomatoes into a box, at the end of the day Mr Trimby would give us each some of the red and

most of the green tomatoes, you will never know how much green tomato chutney my mother

and grandmother would make and we had money in our pockets.


Theydon Bois Action Group

The most substantial threat to the Metropolitan Green Belt surrounding our village since its introduction in

1955 continues to be the possibility of development on up to 3 sites at the rural edge of the village. These

sites, some put forward by local landowners, have been offered as residential development sites to

contribute to the projected 20 year housing supply for the district. You may recall the extensive

consultation carried out by EFDC in 2012 to identify specific ‘Issues & Options’ for the emerging Local

Plan and the maps showing in red those areas which may be suitable (see EFDC website for Local Plan

Consultation Document).

As part of the process of considering all the issues and options and results of the consultation, roughly

monthly Local Plan Cabinet Meetings were scheduled by EFDC. However, each scheduled meeting since

the last in March 2013 has been cancelled. We are therefore unaware of how our Local Plan is

progressing. TBAG has written to EFDC to establish the current position and we shall mail supporters

once we have news. One thing we have been promised is that an announcement of the ‘preferred option

sites’ will be made by 30 October 2014 but how these decisions will be arrived at without sufficient

Cabinet meetings is of concern.

TBAG are paying great attention to the ongoing review of national planning legislation as ultimately this

filters down to affect planning applications at a local level. Changes to the Government’s General

Permitted Development Order were approved on 6 April but notably it made no reference to exempting the

Green Belt. Through our membership of NORA and the LGBC, TBAG have expressed their concerns that

the Government appear to be ignoring their promises to protect the Green Belt.

Also of national planning importance was Greg Mulholland MP's Ten Minute Rule Bill in the House of

Commons on 30 April which has cross-party support. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-

commons-27222497. Mr Mulholland is rightly critical of some aspects of the NPPF and seeks

changes. He explains how the NPPF at present is proving to put the wishes of developers over those of the

local communities (fully ignoring ‘Localism’), especially when it comes to building on green field and

Green Belt sites in preference to brown field sites. This is the most encouraging thing we have seen or

heard for a long while. The proposed bill was voted forward for a second reading on 6th June.

Oak Hill Farm EPF/2659/13: Per imeter fencing including adjacent agr icultural field - refused by

Planning East. Another similar application EPF/0670/14 submitted to which TBAG have again objected.

Recommendations by EFDC for ‘the way forward’ to the original application have not been followed.

TBAG’s objection is on grounds of causing harmful impact on the landscape character and openness of the

Green Belt.

Tennis Club EPF/2610/13 and EPF/2611/13: To light two tennis cour ts – withdrawn. Planning East

refused the remaining application.

Lilicroft, Abridge Road, EPF/2479/13: Cer tificate of Lawful Development - objected to on the grounds

of it amounting to a new dwelling in the Green Belt without very special circumstances. The application

was approved under delegated powers.

Ripley Grange EPF/2036/13: TBAG spoke at the DDCC meeting in February 2014 and the

application for an ‘eco’ house was again refused.

Blunts Farm EPF/0382/14: Prior Notification for an Agr icultural Building for machinery storage.

Refused.

Land adjacent to Gun Cottage EPF/0255/14: Conversion of stable to dwelling – refused by Planning

East.

Theydon Bois Action Group www.theydonbois-actiongroup.co.uk

Protecting the Village of Theydon Bois

Follow @TBActionGroup on Twitter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-27222497http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-27222497


City of London Corporation & Friends of Epping Forest

The Friends of Epping Forest, in partnership with the City of London Corporation, re-opened the

popular High Beach visitor centre at the beginning of April. The centre will now be run by the group

after it was temporarily closed at the end of last year to prepare the building for the re-opening and

allow time to recruit and train the new volunteers. The new look centre has information, maps and

walks about the Forest, a bird observation window and gift shop – and volunteers are on hand to help

visitors find out more about the wildlife in the Forest, where to go and what is on offer. It will

initially be open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays between 11am - 4pm in the

summer and 10am - 3pm in the winter. The centre at High Beach is one of four visitor centres in Epping Forest, including The View (open

every day), Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge on Rangers Road, Chingford, and The Temple at

Wanstead Park (open at weekends and Bank Holidays).

There is a varied programme of events planned in Epping Forest for 2014 and to find out more you

can visit the website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest, telephone The View 020 7332 1911

or email [email protected].

About the City of London Corporation - The City of London Corporation has three roles: supporting

London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring

boroughs on economic regeneration and skills projects. The City of London

Corporation’s charity, the City Bridge Trust, makes grants of more than £15

million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support

education - with three independent schools and three City Academies – plus

a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and

Drama.

The Corporation also helps to look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower

Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest,

Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London. And – with its heart in London’s

Square Mile - they also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub,

with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies and

a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for much more on their uniquely diverse role,

including the City of London Police, etc.

About the Friends of Epping Forest - ‘Friends of Epping Forest’ is dedicated to preserving Epping

Forest and to furthering understanding, knowledge

about and appreciation of the Forest. Established over

40 years ago, the Friends, a registered charity, respond

to planning applications and consultations, liaise with

many local interests and provide guided walks and

occasional events to which all are welcome. The

Friends also produce a regular newsletter and occasional publications about the Forest.

Volunteers make an exceptional contribution to the care and management of Epping Forest. They

help to shape the Forest’s future and have always played a major role in its past. In addition to

practical conservation tasks, people volunteer in our visitor centres, or as photographers, fishing

bailiffs, football coaches, litter pickers and tree wardens, to name but a few. We are always looking

for more volunteers so, if you would like to get involved, have a look at our website

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforestvolunteers. Or you could contact our Volunteer

Development Officer on: 020 8532 5335 -Email [email protected].


The Oak Trail Theydon Bois

Enjoyed this one? Discover the others

Download the maps

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforestwalking


Theydon Bois Primary School News

Theydon's Revived Pancake Day Races Continue Despite Waterlogged Green

It was a day full of fun and

laughter on Tuesday 4th

March when Theydon's

Pancake Day Races in their

revived form took place for

the fourth year running.

Former Parish Council

Chairman and Former

School Governor John

Eaton again helped

organise the event with

Theydon Bois Primary

School's new head teacher

Lesley Lewis (pictured

opposite). Problems arose

this year due to the Green

by the Avenue of Trees,

where the races are usually

run, being waterlogged, but

thanks to the efforts of John

and Lesley the event was

finally staged in the school

playground.

None of this bothered the children

who threw themselves into the

event cheered on by their fellow

pupils & teachers, some of whom

could not resist participating in a

race or two. Lesley & John

instructed some of the children in

how to toss pancakes while

running and then started the races.

Quite a number of races took

place through out the morning and

most of the 'tossed' pancakes did

not survive till the end!

It was a good job that a teacher

had been sent out to Tesco to

ensure an adequate supply for all

the races.

Full set of photos on the Primary School Events Page at

http://www.schooljotter.com/showpage.php?id=213481

http://www.schooljotter.com/showpage.php?id=213481


Hold the Front Page! Village News wins Again

At the recent Rural Community Council of Essex/

Essex Life Community Magazine Awards Village

News was crowned Best Community Magazine in

Essex for the third time in four years. This is a real

achievement in what is a hotly contested competition,

attracting in excess of 40 entries from communities

large and small, Essex wide.

RCCE continue to team up with Essex Life, Newport

News and the Diocese of Chelmsford to support and

encourage all those who work hard to produce

genuine community magazines. This annual competition is open only to editors of not-for-

profit community magazines in which editorial work is undertaken on a voluntary basis. The

Village News team were very pleased to be shortlisted once again. Conscious however of the

ever increasing quality of the competition, it was with more hope than expectation that

members of the VN team headed up the A120 to the Awards Ceremony hosted by West Street

Vineyard, Coggeshall. The team were absolutely delighted to hear that once again the Judges

felt that Village News is the best of the best. In presenting the Awards, Nick Shuttleworth

(Executive Director of RCCE) paid tribute to Community Magazines which are a much loved

part of community life and despite the rise of social media they continue to play an important

role in keeping people up to date with what is happening locally.

In accepting the Award on behalf of

Village News the editor, Tony Ames

paid tribute to the team effort which

brings Village News to the door of

the 1800 homes in the village on a

quarterly basis. Many hours of work

go into each edition and thanks go to

all those who contribute news and

articles, to the army of volunteers

who ensure that every home gets its

copy, to Martin Oliver who proof-

reads every edition, to our printing

partner, Precision Printing and

perhaps most importantly, to the

local businesses who provide the

essential sponsorship which enables the magazine to be entirely self-financing.

Note: Although Village News is a team effort and many play their part, particular tribute must

be paid to editor, Tony Ames and web-editor Jim Watts and the immense contribution they have

made in building the magazine up over the past 15 years. Despite his many years in the ‘hot

seat’ Tony retains his drive and enthusiasm to make each edition better than the last and his

organisational skills combined with Jim’s technical expertise and photographer’s ‘eye’ are the

reason Theydon Bois Village News continues to lead from the front – Well done Tony and Jim!

SALLY CRONE


Landmark Tree Project & Tree Donation Scheme 2014

LANDMARK TREE PROJECT - We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place

and the trees in and around our village play a

big part in making the parish of Theydon Bois

so attractive. We have many different varieties

of trees in people’s gardens, in the streets and

in the fields around the village and in

conjunction with Epping Forest District

Council, Theydon Bois Parish Council,

Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation

Society and the voluntary tree wardens, we are

holding a competition to identify people’s

favourite trees. This can be any tree; not just

old trees, but must be in the Parish of Theydon

Bois, but excluding trees in Epping Forest

itself.

Do you have a favourite tree? Perhaps it’s a

tree or location you pass every day or go out

of your way to look at. Where is there a tree

that is special to you? Is there a tree that you would miss if it were no longer there? Is there a

tree that brings back special memories to you and perhaps your family? Whatever tree you think

is special, irrespective of its size, age, type etc., please nominate it as soon as possible using the

form enclosed with your Village News (if the form is missing, additional copies are

available from the Village website, or from the Parish office).

A panel of independent judges will

select these for inclusion in our

Landmark Trees records which will

be on the Theydon website and may

be included in future village

magazines.

The judges will be Christopher Neilan

M.A. (Cantab.); M Arb. Principal

Officer, Landscape and Trees for

EFDC, Robert Levene, one of the

volunteer tree wardens, together with

Anthony Purkiss representative from

the Parish Council. One of the key

judging points will be your reasons

for choosing this tree. The judging will take place in the second week of September, so make

certain your entry is in in good time.

No competition should take place without a prize and in this case, the winner will be able to

select a variety and have a street tree planted at a choice of locations, with a virtual plaque

commemorating their win.

Copper Beech in Hill Road

Green View


Please return your Landmark Nomination forms and if applicable the Tree Donation

Forms to the Parish Office in the Village Hall. Details are on the forms.

BOTH ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE PARISH OFFICE & ON THE NEWSPAGE OF THE VILLAGE

WEBSITE WITH AN EMAIL RETURN FACILITY. ALTHOUGH FORMS CAN BE RETURNED AT ANY

TIME, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF AS MANY AS POSSIBLE WERE RETURNED BY THE END OF JULY.

Landmark Tree Project & Tree Donation Scheme 2014

TREE DONATION SCHEME - Other groups in the village are all getting together to

see if we can plant additional street trees around

the village roads. It is not by accident that we

have so many lovely trees around our village

streets. In 2003, the Community Tree Strategy

for Theydon Bois was created, involving the

Rural Preservation Society, the Parish Council,

EFDC, the City of London (as managers of

Epping Forest) and many others, and a plan was

created for the village to manage our existing

trees and plant new ones.

Volunteers since then have been involved on a

regular basis in various action plans to implement this long standing tree strategy, a copy of

which was delivered to every home in the village in 2003 and is again to be made available on

the village website. The volunteer tree wardens are now looking to refresh the action plan and to

have a substantial number of additional street trees planted during 2014/15 & in a plan going

forward for the next few years.

The Rural Preservation Society have come forward to put in an initial sum of money to kick

start this project that will enable 40 new village trees to be planted immediately. The Parish

Council, together with the Horticultural Society, the Scouts, Theydon Bois Primary School, and

many other village groups, are currently looking to see how they can contribute to the project.

But, what we need most of all, is for individuals to donate trees.

Enclosed with this village news is a tree donation form, (if the form is missing, additional

copies are available from the Village website, or from the Parish office).

This is the perfect occasion to make a difference to the appearance of our village and help

improve it even further - your donation can have a visible and positive effect. Every donation

will be acknowledged with a virtual plaque on the EFDC website with links via Google maps so

that the plaque can be seen whenever anyone looks at a location. The donation can be to

celebrate a birth, marriage, anniversary, birthday, death, or indeed any occasion, so please help

us celebrate. More information is on the form and the cost is £75.00 per tree, which through

some seriously hard work, is the same cost as in 2003.

Thank you for your support and if you have any questions, please raise them via the Parish

Office where the Parish Clerk Julie Taylor has kindly agreed to act as coordinator for the

responses.

Ancient Oak-St Mary’s Churchyard


Theydon Bois Golf Club

After a Winter of Discontent Will there Be a Glorious Summer?

A winter of discontent: among the intrepid golfers of Theydon Bois. Flooded

greens, soggy fairways, fallen trees and wet windy days all conspired to keep the

golf club members and the very necessary green fees away from the course.

Then April arrived: budding trees, drying sunny days, the first cuckoo heard during the Ladies

Spring Meeting and glorious sunshine enabling the 19th hole drinkers to spill out onto the deck

overlooking the 18th green. Discontent melting away being replaced by a mellow anticipation

of a glorious summer of golf.

Meanwhile the damage to our few acres of Epping Forest had to be addressed by the greens

staff. Their immediate concern was to make safe any fallen or falling trees, a huge job when it

was virtually impossible to get any type of large machine on the golf course because of the very

soggy conditions. The bridge over the brook between the first and second hole had been

washed away and has been replaced by our greens staff with a superb new one. Much hard

work had to be accomplished in the very short time between the bad weather subsiding and the

spring warmth making the grass grow: necessitating much time spent mowing. The course has

recovered amazingly with just a few boggy damp areas here and there although precarious fall-

ing branches and loosened tree roots remain a major concern.

Members Leah & Peter Triumph in Dubai - Golf Care Matchplay Championship

Leah Plester & Peter Fitz-

gerald were victorious in

Dubai on 14th May becom-

ing Mixed Matchplay

Champions. The Golf Care

Matchplay Championships

are one of Europe’s largest

amateur golf tournaments.

Firstly they had to qualify

for the Regional Finals and

after winning their Mixed

Pairs event, they qualified

with 3 other pairs for the

finals in Dubai.

They experienced a week’s

hospitality at the luxurious

4-Star Courtyard by Mar-

riott, Dubai Green Com-

munity, with the competi-

tion being played down the

fairways of the world fa-

mous ‘Els Club’. Didn’t

they do well!!

Round 3 - MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 2014 MIXED


Theydon Bois Cricket Club

Four weeks into the season and both the 1st and 2nd XI are undefeated in the Herts and Essex 1st

and 4th divisions respectively. The Sunday friendly results have been mixed but a thrilling win

last week vs. FM Arthurs in the final over may see the side turn a corner.

The 1st XI captain Rob Bullivant almost scored the firstt century of the season in a league match

vs. Roding Valley. On 99 he received an unplayable yorker which knocked over his off stump.

The following week vs. S. Loughton Shane Pinaar was left high and dry (or not in his case)

when on 96 not out the rain came and called a halt to proceedings.

In the 2s (pictured) the batting of Matt Davies has seen us post good scores. Matt has then been

the architect to thwart any response with his variations of leg and off spin bowling.

Our Friday night coaching sessions for children up to 15 years have regularly attracted over 50

children on a weekly basis. All teams (U11, U13 and U15s) have all won games and our U11s

are in a league Semi Final already this year.

If you wish to join either the colt or senior sections then please

contact Warren via email on [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Theydon Bois Tennis Club

Bernard Davies - Friends at the Tennis Club recently had a visit from a ‘long

lost’ friend in Bernard Davies. For personal reasons Bernard had lost contact

with the club for 7 or 8 years, and only recently had we found out that he was

living in a care home in Southend. Bernard’s nephew Michael brought him

down for the day to see many old friends. The Tennis Club owes much to

Bernard’s generosity. Bernard (in the blue jacket) is pictured below.

For many years he worked tirelessly to oversee all the junior coaching on both Friday nights

and Saturday mornings, ensuring all juniors and parents were welcomed to the club and looked

after properly. His generous spirit meant he paid for the new Court 6 to be built in 2000 and for

all the other five courts to be resurfaced at the same time. He also donated further sums to

ensure the club has strong reserves to pay for future court resurfacing.

Bernard also served as the

Treasurer to the Buxton

Trust, donating

considerable sums of

money to ensure their

financial stability, and in

addition he is well

remembered for his

benevolence at Old

Parkonians FC.

Everyone at the Tennis

Club hopes that Bernard

can visit the club again

for Veterans Finals Day

in July.

New junior teams - The 2014 summer season has

seen two new junior teams competing in the

regional part of the Aegon Leagues. The 9 &

Under Mixed team are currently flying high near

the top of their division (pictured opposite) and

are looking good for promotion, while the Girls 14

& Under team are finding competition tough but

exhilarating in the top division of their league.

Come and Play - If you haven’t played for a

while and want to give it a go again, drop in to the

club on a Tuesday or Thursday morning at 10 am

and join in with the group.

If you’d be interested in a Monday evening coaching session then please email

[email protected].


Theydon Bois & District Rural Preservation Society

New President The Society has much pleasure in welcoming Bob Day as our new President.

Bob follows Alan Gillies, who sadly past away earlier this year. Bob was born and has lived all

his life in the village. In the September 2013 and March 2014 editions of the Village News you

will have seen parts one and two of his memories of life in the village and part three is on pages

12 & 13 of this issue.

Walks On Sunday 11th May a hundred villagers of all ages joined and enjoyed the Society’s

two hour walk and trip to the Deer Sanctuary where Keeper Michael Collins again explained

the history and husbandry of its herd of special black backed fallow deer.

On Sunday 8th June we invite you to join us for a walk to the newly planted Theydon Wood

to view the outstanding landscape artwork installed last year (photo below). In addition a

representative of the Woodland Trust will be present to lead us into their newly acquired and

adjoining Debden Wood. On the way the walk will take in the sheep milking farm. NB. There

are stiles to be negotiated.

Talks Those of you

who have recently

rejoined the Society

will have received this

year’s Newsletter

which has details of

the talk to be given on

11th July at our

AGM by Peter Warne

on the subject of

Finding Wild life in

Epping Forest. It is

free and all are

welcome.

Trees - The Society

has agreed to pay for

the planting of an

extra 40 trees in our village by EFDC. We were also represented recently when the tree wardens

discussed the ongoing care of the new avenue of oaks on the Green with a representative of the

City of London.

Planning - The Society has continued to raise our concerns with EFDC about a number of

recent applications that might have an effect on the Green Belt around the village. This was one

of the principal objects of the founding of the Society in 1943 and continues to be our ongoing

concern. We have written objections regarding these and representatives of the Society have

spoken in support of our objections when these have come before EFDC Planning Committees.

We are happy to report that although sometimes the applications have come before committee

with the support of Planning Officers in nearly every case District Councillors have agreed with

our objections and these potentially harmful applications have been refused.

PETER NEWTON


The Past Spring in Theydon Bois

The Past Spring in Theydon Bois, as described below, covers only a short period in 2014 from

February to early May The appalling winter weather continued but finally released its grip in

April to give a bright and warm Easter during which many Villagers escaped to warmer climes

to recharge their energy levels after a bad winter. However Village activities continued

unabated despite the adverse weather.

Early in February, a solemn group of relatives and Friends of Alan Frederick Campbell Gillies

gathered together at the junction of Buxton Road and Forest Drive to witness an act of

remembrance for Alan who died on 4th Jan 2014. The trees were planted in his memory and

would serve as a reminder to many villagers of Alan’s Long Service to the Village of Theydon

Bois. The tree planting was arranged by the Theydon Bois Rural Preservation Society of which

Alan was a member for many years and who eventually became its President.

Details of the third stage of the international Tour de

France cycle race were announced. This is planned to

take place on 7 July 2014 and will be run from

Cambridge to Trafalgar Square in Central London. Local

roads will be closed for several hours before the cyclists

arrive from Chelmsford via Willingale, Fyfield,

Moreton, North Weald and then on through Epping,

Redbridge, and Waltham Forest. This will be a great

occasion especially for the Epping District and the 35

mile route is expected to be lined by many enthusiasts

and well wishers; some local authorities were already making celebratory arrangements.

The spirit of the Winter Olympic Games held in Russia, lived on in Theydon Bois through the

pupils of the Village Primary School who had followed the events with great interest. One

which particularly appealed was “curling” where a granite stone is slid towards a horizontal

target along an ice path scrubbed clear with small brooms. Head Teacher Lesley Lewis said

“We are looking forward to holding our own inter-house curling competition".

In March, mankind and nature finally emerged from the cold and very

wet conditions to greet the early arrival of spring with birds nesting

and lawn mowers whirring. But winter returned later in the month with

a sharp bite when the wind swung round to the north east to bring a

substantial fall in temperature and flurries of snow. But never the less,

Theydon Bois Women’s Institute were once again supplying spring

bulbs via the Essex Federation.

Earlier, WI Members had attended a Federation meeting at Southend

where the speaker was Michael Portillo, the well known TV

personality and ex government Minister. He addressed the meeting

without notes and was attired in one of his famous coloured jackets, to

the general delight of the ladies.

The first of the 2014 Lent Soup Lunches organised by members of St Mary’s Church was held

in the Church Hall. For the modest sum of five pounds, an excellent soup lunch prepared by the

ladies of the Church could be enjoyed together with dessert and coffee/tea. The proceeds were


The Past Spring in Theydon Bois (continued)

used to support various Church charities and also the Manna Centre and Missions for Seaman.

Towards the end of March the St Mary’s Mother’s Union met in the Church Hall where the

Rev John Fry spoke about “Thoughts for Lent”.

The Theydon Singers gave their spring concert in the Village Hall.

The augmented choir comprising 13 sopranos, 10 contraltos, 6 tenors

and 9 basses performed four major works; Handel’s Zadok the Priest,

Parry’s I Was Glad, Schubert’s Mass in D and the Faure Requiem.

The soloists were Frances Chilvers- Soprano, Guy Elliott – Tenor,

and Mark Hansford – Bass. Lawrence Tatnall conducted and Paul

Chilvers was the pianist.

Thirty eight members were present at the April meeting of the Women’s Institute during which

the AGM was held and the following committee elected: President – Jackie Robertson,

Secretary - Lynne Licence, Treasurer – Janet Slater, Register/Vice President – Audrey Hill,

Minute Secretary – Janet Wagstaff, Gift Aid – Mary Leng, Prog Sec/Asst Sec/Vice Pres –

Margaret O’Connor, Mutual Service – Carole Browning, Refreshments – Phyllis Pritchard,

MCS – Mary Simmons. Co - opted non committee Members: Refreshments/Tea Hostess

Enquiries – Kay Rush, Theatre Outings – Doreen Snell.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St Mary’s Church was held in the Church Hall after a

morning service. It was advised that those wishing to vote at the meeting, or stand for the

Parochial Church Council, would have to be entered on the Electoral Roll. Those so entered

would have to have been baptised, be over 16 years of age, a resident of the Parish and should

have worshipped regularly at St Mary’s for at least 6 months.

Good Friday, an important date in the Christian calendar, was celebrated in the Village by

members of St Mary’s Church and Theydon Bois Baptist Church with a “Walk of Witness”.

Those from St Mary’s walked the short distance to the Baptist Church and, after a short prayer,

members of both Churches proceeded together along the Avenue and across the Green to the

Village shopping area. Here a short service was held to commemorate the crucifixion of Christ

and to also remind those engaged in their daily business, of the significance of Good Friday.

Later, Villagers attended St John’s Church in Epping to hear the Epping Church Choirs give a

performance of John Stainer's choral work “The Crucifixion”. In his Easter message, the

Archbishop of Canterbury explained how he was struggling to do what is right and just for all

on the subject of gay marriage within the Church of England. He also asked that prayers should

be made for all who faced conflict in their lives. In his message, Pope Francis asked all to pray

for the poor and abandoned in the world.

After nearly twelve months of building activity, the site of the former Darlington’s Garage at

the junction of Coppice Row and Orchard Drive was transformed when the new Pavilion Court

development by Banner Homes was completed. Asking prices were best offers over a range

from £395,000 to £795,000. Visits by prospective purchasers commenced on the following

Saturday, with many seeking information and access to view. However the initial terms

required a reservation deposit of £2,000 together with the name of the solicitor appointed to

process the purchase; £650 of the deposit would be retained if the sale did not progress. The

development certainly complemented the appearance of this part of the Village and its name


The Past Spring in Theydon Bois (continued)

was understood to be derived from a sports pavilion which once existed on the site.

The Alpine Garden Society of the Epping Forest Group met in the Village Hall to hear Arthur

Nichols speak about Northern Greece. Astrokyds, the junior section of the Loughton

Astronomical Society recommenced its evening meetings in the St Mary’s Church Hall. These

were being held regularly every second Friday in the month 6.30 to 8.30 with Brian Morton as

the organiser.

A new business in the Village, the Theydon Watch Repair Centre in Coppice Row, opened

recently and occupied the premises used in the late 1900s by Barclays Bank. This business

carries out repairs on site, changes watch batteries and straps on a “while you wait basis", and

offers new items on part exchange. The business also

purchases old gold and jewellery.

Finally - back to the weather. With the onset

of spring and due to the extensive winter

rainfall, domestic gardens and the

countryside in general were swathed in

extensive and luxurious growth. Days were

now longer and warmer and Village outdoor events (e.g. Village Open Gardens

and Donkey Derby) will soon be with us again. Enjoy the Summer!

TREVOR ROBERTS

LOCAL HISTORY RECORDER

Ed - Trevor lodges a comprehensive Annual Village Report with the Essex Record Office, extracts are submitted monthly for

the village website and quarterly for village news. To avoid repetition, especially where news and information has been sub-

mitted by the club, society or entity directly to Village News, then it has been removed from Trevor’s Column in this issue.

URGENT MESSAGE - LETTERS FROM PHARMACY 2U

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) enables EPS enables prescribers - such as GPs and

practice nurses - to send prescriptions electronically to a dispenser (such as a pharmacy) of the

patient's choice. This makes the prescribing and dispensing process more efficient and

convenient for patients and staff.

You may have received a letter from Pharmacy2U, an online mail-order

pharmacy located in Leeds requesting that you register with them. Please do

not sign or return this registration for prescriptions otherwise it means that

you will not be able to collect your prescription from your friendly village

pharmacy. The letters are misleading in that they make patients think it is an

official communication from their GP surgery or the NHS.

Please call in and speak to any member of our staff for further clarification.

See the Village website for more information. SAILESH DAWDA THEYDON BOIS PHARMACY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_Order_Pharmacyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_Order_Pharmacy


SCOUTS, CUBS & BEAVERS ST GEORGES DAY PARADE

This years St Georges Day Parade took place on Sunday 27th April. St George is the patron

saint of scouting (as well as England) and it’s a day when everyone renews their promises.

All the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers paraded from the shops in Forest Drive along the Coppice

Row pavement to St Mary’s Church where a service was held.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS FROM

JUNETO AUGUST 2014

17 Jun to 12 Aug - Summer Day Drawing Courses (Dilys Bidwell)

22 Jun (pm) – Shakespeare’s’ Measure for Measure

5 Jul (eve) – Summer Garland (Grant Chorale Singers)

13 Jul (pm) - New Redbridge Wind Orchestra

23 Jul – Pirates of Penzance (Arbutus Day Singing Workshop)

27 Jul (pm) - Fitzwilliam String Quartet

9 Aug (eve) - Jazz in the Cellars (Woodford Wheezards)

For News, Updates, Site & Garden Tour details see www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk. Further

information & tickets for event please contact 07749 397932 or email : [email protected].

COPPED HALL CORNER

News, Comments & Notices - Copped Hall Corner


News, Comments & Notices

For a two months

trial period starting

on Monday 12th May. Usual admission

is £6.50/£7.50. (with a few “special”

events costing £1 more). Bar/Bar Food is

available. The June/July programme is

displayed on the poster opposite.

Ray Crick tells Village News “This is

great news for Theydon Bois residents

who enjoy traditional jazz. The

background to this event is the relocation

of what has been called the Chigwell Jazz

Club from its venue for the past eight

years, Chigwell Hall. The club is run on a

non-profitmaking basis by Dave & Sheila

Dyer, a wonderful veteran couple,

originally from Chingford, who have

made it their goal to keep live jazz going

in the area. Every Monday a top band

entertains from 8 to 10.30pm,

My wife and I have been Theydon

residents for 39 years, and are thrilled at this development. Many of our friends also enjoy

traditional jazz, both to listen to and to dance to, and are delighted that we’ll now have to go no

further than the Golf Club to bask in this happy music.”

CHIGWELL JAZZ CLUB MOVES TO THEYDON BOIS GOLF CLUB

ENJOY JAZZ AT THEYDON BOIS

GOLF CLUB EVERY MONDAY EVENING

June

2 - Mike Barry & his Uptown Gang

9 - Jackie Free & his Chicagoans, with

Peter Rudeforth & John Crocker

16 - The Gresty-White Ragtimers (+£1)

23 - Richard Exall & Shooting Stars (+£1)

30 - Tony Pitt & his All-Stars

July

7 - Dave Ware & his Dixie Hotshots

14 - The Northside Jazz Band

21 - George Kid Tidiman & his All-Stars

28 - Rex Odell & his Nicest People

8 - 10.30 pm

12th May - Richard Exall & Amy Roberts Quintet


St George’s day battles, visits from

the police, fire service and even

Goldilocks are just some of the

highlights that brought to life some

of the weekly topics at our pre

school in the last few months. In

February we took part in Onesie

week and raised a staggering £542

for St. Clare’s Hospice - the picture

shows how much fun the children

had raising money for this very

worthy cause. In March the child’s

mummy or female carer were

invited into pre school for a special

week of Mothers Day activities. The

Mummies spent some time with

their child at pre school seeing the

activities their children would normally do and playing with the toys together. Everyone made a

salt dough hand print to take home as a memento of the day. It was lovely for the Mummies to

see their children in the pre school setting.

Now spring has sprung, the small garden has been planted up with tomatoes, herbs and runner

beans. The children will need to water them and keep the garden tidy. They will also be entering

the Theydon Bois Horticultural Show in July.

Good Sports - As par t of Spor ts Relief week the

Village Montessori Nursery children learnt about

the charity’s work at home and abroad through

presentations of photos and discussions at Circle

Time.

This helped them to understand why their Sports

Relief activities were so important. Our children’s

families sponsored them to participate in five sports

events: walking along balance beams (older ones

balancing a bean bag on their heads) and crawling

through a tunnel; egg and spoon race; fetch a pail of

water (both testing the children’s hand-eye co-

ordination and control of movement); riding a

tricycle/scooter or pushing a wheelbarrow whilst

weaving in and out of cones; and a relay race.

The children also made donations to wear red

clothes and face-paints. In total, they raised

£260.33 and had enormous fun doing so.


THEYDON BOIS PRE SCHOOL

VILLAGE MONTESSORI



THEYDON BOIS VILLAGE HALL We are looking for occasional help to cover the holidays or sickness of our permanent caretaker. This would involve opening up the hall at weekends on the odd occasion (as our cleaning staff open up on weekdays) and securing the premises each night. The hall is well used throughout the week including Saturday functions, and on occasions you may have to explain the facilities to first time hirers, as well as move chairs and tables as required.

This would suit someone who lives in Theydon Bois. Payment would be in the

region of £21 per day.

If you feel you would like to become involved with your village hall contact:

Martin Oliver - 01992 812042


Violet reached her cen-

tenary on Thursday 10th

April 2014 at Frank Foster

House. She was surround-

ed by her family, had a visit

from Epping Women's

Institute and was overjoyed

to received a card from the

Queen.

Staff had arranged a special

mini show for Violet and

presented her with a large

handmade birthday card as

well as a photo album.

She also received a wonder-

ful bunch of flowers from

Runwood Homes, the

Managing Company of Frank Foster House.

3rd Theydon

Bois Brownies

(St.Mary’s)

are celebrating

100 years of the Brownie movement

and the 45th anniversary of their

pack this year and are holding an

OPEN AFTERNOON

in St. Mary’s Church Hall

SATURDAY 20th SEPT

from 2-4pm.

Tea and cakes will be served and all

are welcome particularly past

members of the pack.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, which runs

the largest mosque in London, has celebrated its

centenary year in the UK with an event in

Theydon Bois Village Hall on the 29th March.

The event took the form of a exhibition followed

by a ‘Peace Symposium’ with many prominent

speakers. The association aims to promote a

positive image of Islam in the community and

peaceful coexistence between all religious

groups. Ahmadiyya Muslims vary from

mainstream Islamic belief in that they believe

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who lived between 1835 & 1908, was a prophet. The community is

persecuted in some countries & not even recognised as Muslims in Pakistan. See their website at

http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org/ for further details.

In his key note speech association president Rafiq Ahmed Hayat (pictured above) referred to the

killing of Lee Rigby last year and said: “Some people forget the fundamental teachings of their faith

and some are misconstrued and used to gain power. The killers of Lee Rigby were two criminals

using the name of Islam to carry out their acts. Islam allows aggression to defend yourself but does

not allow indiscriminate killing which has nothing to do with faith. As British Muslims we believe it

our duty to serve our country and promote peace and harmony. We have given a 100 years of service

to the nation and support putting a stop to all forms of extremism.”

Other speakers and guests included government Immigration Minister, James Brokenshire, Epping

Forest MP, Eleanor Laing, Epping Forest District Chairman, Mary Sartin, and Essex Police and

Crime Commissioner, Nick Alston.


PEACE SYMPOSIUM IN THEYDON BOIS

VIOLET WATTS CELBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY BROWNIES OPEN AFTERNOON

http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org/



Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF) hopes to raise its

profile within the district using its new sign written vehicles,

now all brandishing the new logo!

VAEF hosts a number of direct services for older people in the

district which include gardening, carers support, home safety,

befriending, handyman services, social prescription and

volunteering. The organisation also provides advice,

information and development support services to voluntary

and community organisations in the district. Local voluntary

groups are assisted with fundraising, volunteer recruitment

and regular information.

We are a charity, based in Epping, we opened in 1993 and operate throughout the district. Our

Befriending Service provides support and friendship to older people living on their own or in

isolation. The Carers project provides advice information and support to informal carers. Homes

Safety aims to reduce the number of falls by older people in their homes. Handyman Service is

for residents over 60 years old or disabled. A Gardening Service is provided to maintain the

gardens of people aged over 65 years or who are disabled and cannot do so unaided or do not

have the means to do so. The majority of VAEF services provided are free!

If you feel you would benefit from VAEF’S services or would like to volunteer, please call

01992 564 178 for further information or visit www.vaef.org.uk

Firefighters from both Epping and Loughton were

called to Robert Daniel's Court at 7.10pm on the 8th

March and helped the Red Cross Essex Fire and

Emergency Support Services to evacuate residents

from the building. Over thirty of the elderly residents

were evacuated from their sheltered accommodation in

the building after their homes were flooded. A burst

water tank in the loft of the home, in Thrifts Mead,

Theydon caused flooding throughout the building. The

building was quickly declared as unsafe and all 36 residents were evacuated and asked to spend

the night with family or at a nearby hotel paid for by the housing firm owners, Home Group.

A plumber and electrician were called and both arrived at the home just before 9.30pm as the

fire crews carried out work to make the home safe. Jo Huxtable, Home Group interim client

services director, said: "We’ve turned off the mains supply after a faulty valve in the roof space

led to water leaking into communal areas and flats. "The safety and comfort of our customers is

our priority. We’ll repair the valve as quickly as possible but before anyone can move back in

we’ll also need to inspect the electrics. Some of our residents have chosen to stay with family

and for others we’re paying for hotel accommodation which includes a meal allowance.” After

the repairs and safety checks the residents were able to return to their homes the following

week.

ROBERT DANIELS EVACUATION 9th MARCH



During 2013 the Village

Association, managing the Village

Hall, continued to thrive. Levels of hire were maintained, with

charges helpfully static. Demand is such that, disappointingly, it

is often now quite difficult to provide regular slots in the small meeting rooms for new groups.

Maintaining the high quality of the Village Hall building and the services provided is a

continuing challenge. One considerable but essential expense decided upon during the year was

the need to replace the boilers – a project completed this Easter, and not before time, given

some breakdowns which had started to occur with the old system.

To improve daytime security a keypad was fitted to the entrance door to facilitate an easy-to-use

locking system for any hours during the day when the Hall is temporarily unoccupied. This has

generally worked well, though in some cases better communication within user groups is

needed to ensure that all members can gain access when needed. Coloured porch lights were

permanently installed and put on timers to give the Hall a more attractive evening ambience.

The Association’s highly regarded and long-serving Treasurer,

Allan Cox, decided he wanted to take a lesser role and the

committee was fortunate to secure the services of Tony Lloyd

(pictured right), a trained accountant resident in the village, to take

his place. Tony took over with effect from the AGM on 15 April.

Finances remain in a healthy state with reserves adequate, it is

hoped, to meet all the needs that will arise as the Village Hall begins

to age and replacements and refurbishments become required.

Much time was spent by a sub-committee in reviewing the

Association’s constitution, preparatory to moving to the new Charity Incorporated Organisation

(CIO) status which is now recommended by the Charity Commission for all organisations like

the Village Association. Work on this should be complete during the coming year.

VILLAGE ASSOCIATION

The spring production on 20th

to 22nd of March was the

drama “Murder Weapon” by

the playwright Brian Clemens.

The small and hard working

cast comprised Inspector

Fremont (played by Martin

Oliver), Jessica Bligh (Nicola

Gilbert), Charley Mirren (Jeff

Barnett), Diane (Lisa

Matthews), Hugo (Paul Arber),

Paul (John Haylett), Constable

Walters (Jack Chambers).

The production was directed

by Simon Gilbert.

THEYDON BOIS DRAMA SOCIETY


THEYDON BOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

104th ANNUAL SHOW - SATURDAY 26th JULY

PRIZES AWARDED FOR

Fruit & Veg

Handicrafts

Flowers & Plants

Photography

Cookery

Junior Section

Refreshments with homemade cakes

Village Hall - Doors open at 2.15pm

Admission £1 (children under 16 free)

For full schedule of classes contact show sec Margaret Bhonsie

on 020 8502 0897 or email ([email protected])



The Police were called and closed off

parts of Loughton Lane, Chapel

Road & The Avenue of Trees on the

morning of 8th March at about 9 am

while they investigated a serious

accident following a car leaving the

road and hitting one of the Oak Trees

near the junction of The Avenue and

Chapel Road. The occupants of the

car were very badly injured and

taken to hospital. The roads were

closed for some time and traffic had

to be diverted.

CAR CRASH ON 8TH MARCH

On the 16th & 17th May Theydon Art Group held

their 53rd Annual Exhibition in the Village Hall.

Thirty two of the group’s members exhibited 142 paintings in many types of medium and all

were to a very high standard. Most of the paintings were for sale at very reasonable prices and

soon a number of them were displaying red stickers indicating that they had been 'snapped up'

by discerning collectors.

THEYDON ART GROUP EXHIBITION

Exhibition Secretary Derek Springham (centre) with fellow artists



Commemorating the Outbreak of World War 1 - Monday 4th August

2014 marks the centenary of the

outbreak of World War 1. To

commemorate this St Mary’s

Church will be holding a special

service on Sunday 3rd August at

10.30 a.m. This will provide an oppor tunity to

remember those from the Village who died as well

those affected by the conflict across the nation and

in the wider world.

All in the Village are invited to

attend this special service.

OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR 1 - ST MARYS SERVICE 3rd AUGUST

Smoke Alarms save lives

A fire strikes when you least expect it,

often during the night. It also spreads very

rapidly, but smoke is the real killer. If you

are asleep when a fire starts and you don’t

have a smoke alarm to wake you, your

chances of surviving are severely reduced.

Smoke alarms do not stop fires, but they do give early warning if a fire does occur.

In some circumstances your local Fire & Rescue Service will provide and fit a smoke alarm for

certain groups of our communities perceived to be at high risk. We would always recommend

that a ten year smoke alarm (with built-in Lithium battery) is purchased as this saves concern

about annual battery replacement. Smoke alarms are available for people with hearing

impairment.

Essex Fire & Rescue Service recommends that at least one smoke alarm be fitted on each level

in the home, and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that the alarm is

working and tested regularly. This should be done once a week. Many fires in the home start at

night. Make sure you have a bedtime fire safety routine to help you and your family keep safe.

Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances not designed to stay on.

Never smoke in bed and before emptying ashtrays make sure the contents are cold. Don’t leave

TVs on standby and if you can, avoid using the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher

overnight. Shut the doors on the ground level.

One of the services we offer is a free home fire safety visit. These are available to everyone but

we focus on vulnerable groups. On these visits we fit new 10 year smoke alarms, speak to the

home owner about fire safety in their own home and help them to make a fire exit plan. If I can

be of any help on the matter of fire safety in the home for your village feel free to contact me -

Steve Green Community Safety Officer, Community Fire Safety, Harlow and Epping. West

Area 01279 420841 07824498140 - http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk

A MESSAGE FROM

ESSEX COUNTY

FIRE & RESCUE

SERVICE

http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/



The Epping Forest Group is a local group of

the national

Documents

Village News Issue 86 June 2014 Page 2 June V News.pdf · Village News Issue 86 June 2014 Page 4 Parish Council Chairman’s Report This is the last column of the Council's year