Theydon Bois Village Youth Audit: As you may remember from a previous news item on this Web Site, an audit was circulated for completion by the youth of the village. The aim of the audit was to try and determine what the youth of the village were currently doing in their free time and what other facilities they would like to be available.
The idea for the audit arose from the work of the Youth Initiatives Committee. This committee was set up by the Parish Council following the County Council's closure of the Youth Centre and the subsequent lack of provision of youth services in the Village (with the exception of the mobile youth service bus which is supposed to visit Theydon Bois one evening a week, during term time).
It was agreed that we couldn't really make any plans without knowing what it was the youth wanted and so the idea of the audit was born. It was designed with some help from the District Council and aimed at the target group of 11 to 17 year olds.
We have to say that the response to the Audit was somewhat disappointing. There were only 52 responses from the entire village. We would like to think this was due to the fact that most of the youth in the village are satisfied with the facilities available and have full and active social lives. However we can not be absolutely sure.
The low level of responses does cast some doubt on the validity of the outcomes. However, with this in mind, here are the results:
Of the 52 replies 32 were male and 20 were female.
We asked for the top five spare time activities from each respondent and, as you can see below, the three categories that scored highly were: staying in and watching TV, going to a friend's house and hanging out with friends.

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New Fingerpost Sign at the Junction of Coopersale Lane/Abridge Road: We were very pleased to receive a donation from a local resident, Miss Hudson of Coopersale Lane, to cover the costs of re-erecting the wooden fingerpost sign now in place at the junction of the Abridge Road and Coopersale Lane. This was made and installed by Mathew Cable (ex V. Cable & Sons Builders of Bell Common) who has the "Grandfather rights" from the Highways Dept at EFDC to erect such signs, although it then becomes the responsibility of the Parish to maintain that item. We believe this enhances the local environment and supports the fact that Theydon Bois still remains a Village, despite it's proximity to London, the M25 and the Central Line. Wooden fingerpost signs still remain an effective way for signposting on a B road, in this case replacing a dilapidated metal sign not in keeping with the countryside.

Cllr A.E. Purkiss
Chairman, Highways & Environment Committee

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Mrs. Eleanor Laing MP (Epping Forest) (Con) presented the petition to the house at 7.15pm on November 9th 2004:
I wish to present to the house a petition signed by more than 13,000 people who live in the vicinity of Epping Forest. Epping Forest is an ancient forest, substantially located within the Green Belt. The biosphere of the forest is in danger of being damaged by the governments plan to build large numbers of new houses in the Green Belt. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to review the research on which plans for new housing in Epping Forest district are based and to confirm that the principle of protecting the Green Belt will be upheld.
The Petition States:
The Petition of the residents of Epping Forest District and surrounding area and interested parties,
Declares that Epping Forest is an ancient forest which is protected by an Act of Parliament, that it lies substantially within the Metropolitan Green Belt which is also protected by an Act of Parliament and that plans for development of land in Epping Forest District must take into account not only the land on which the Forest stands but also the "biosphere" of the Forest.

The Petitioners further declare that the plans of the Government and its agents to build large numbers of new houses in the Green Belt are of great concern to the Petitioners.

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A New Health Watchdog: A Forum exists to assist you to express your views and help plan the Health services in your area.

The Epping Forest Patient and Public Involvement Forum (P.P.I.F.) is one of a network of Forums established by the Government across the country to improve healthcare. Forum members are volunteers who have undergone training to assist them in their role.

The Forum has wide-ranging statutory powers to work with Primary Care Trusts. Forum members can visit any service in the Trust and may make recommendations for improvements, including Hospitals, clinics, surgeries, etc. They will also be involved in any discussions on changes to services that may affect the public in Epping Forest District.

The biggest challenge for the Forum is to become visible in the local community. People need to know that we are there for them. We also need more members to join us. The issues currently being raised are: Cancer services, breast screening follow-up appointments, blood donors system, pharmacy closure, pension services for special needs clients.

If you are interest and would like to contact us: telephone Marilyn Lambert on 01279 418666.

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PARISH TRANSPORT SCHEME: Mrs Jones can’t use a bus. She used to stay at home every day. Not any more! Now with COMMUNITY TRANSPORT she can get about, visit friends and even browse or buy at the shops or local market. The NEW SERVICE will start on Monday 15th November. The route will cover Chigwell, Abridge, Theydon Bois, Epping, Moreton, Bobbingworth & The Lavers. To use this service, you need to ring this number to register and obtain details of the bus timetable for your area.

Telephone: Epping Forest Community Transport: 01992 564040

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Litter Picks:The Parish Council would again like to thank all those who help keep our village tidy by paticipating in the monthly litter picks. Please note that in future the monthly litter picks on the first Saturday of every month will now start at 9.00 a.m. (it was previously 9.30).

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From the Neighbourhood Watch/Mobile Police Station

Christmas Boxes:

A few years ago a burglar was arrested and interviewed. We considered that this burglar was very good at his job because every property he entered he hit the jackpot. He never failed. It took a lot of effort to capture him as well but we were surprised when he told us why he was so good.

After Christmas he would drive around the streets and take note of what empty boxes you would put out for the dustman. If you had a brand new computer for Christmas then you would simply fill that box with rubbish and put it out for collection. This burglar would note what was at your address and then pay you a visit later on. Easy isn’t it?

The advice has to be … Break it up and put it in a bag. Yes, it may be a nuisance to you but it has to be worth the effort. Unless you have suffered the pain of a burglary you can’t imagine what it is like. I know of some people who refuse to live there again and will move house immediately. Come on … you know it makes sense … please!!

Chris Caten, Essex Police

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Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal:

Thank you once again collectors and contributors for this year’s appeal. We have raised £3,304.28

A. Hollingbery

Honorary Organiser

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MALCOLM "HARRY" HARRIS: We are sad to report the death of Malcolm "Harry" Harris on Saturday 25th September. Harry took up the post as cemetery gardener/handyman for the Parish Council in March 2003. Only a few months later he was diagnosed with lung cancer and, despite undergoing a course of chemotherapy, he was able to continue in his role until shortly before his death.

Harry was very well known outside the village for his keen interest in football and played centre-forward for Ford United - now Redbridge. He was also a keen bird watcher and with this in mind some of his friends have clubbed together to sponsor the bird-bath at the cemetery (see picture).

On a brighter note we are pleased to announce the appointment of Nigel Pomfret as gardener/handyman for the cemetery.

Cllr Ken Cushing
Chairman, Cemetery Committee

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A Forest Keepers View: I would like to introduce myself and my background. I am Nick Baker, I have been an Forest Keeper in Epping Forest for 9 ½ years covering the Theydon area for just about a year, which seems to have flown by….maybe I am just getting old. Although I have been responsible for the area during this time I have only just moved into the locality having previously lived at High Beach

I started as a trainee ranger in the foothills of the Peak District in 1977 and have gradually worked my way southwards having stopped off in Bedfordshire where I worked as an Area Ranger for 15 years!

As I have already said I have been in Epping Forest for over 9 years. In that time I have been a non-mounted keeper in the High Beach area as well as spending 18 months on the mounted section. My role as a constable has required me to present numerous court cases for offences against the forest byelaws (and other relevant legislation), mainly at Epping Magistrates Court.

There is no doubt that Theydon Bois appears to have its share of problems and I am looking forward to working with the Parish Council and Essex Police to minimise these. The main causes of concern have been the vandalism around the pond as well as out of season fishing. It should be noted that the fishing season is from 16th June to 14th March and only during daylight hours, any fishing outside these times could lead to prosecution. Anyone fishing over 12 years of age must also be in possession of a valid rod licence. These are obtained from the post office and since the nearest post office is only a couple of hundred yards away from the pond there is absolutely no excuse for not having one! The other main problem has been the parties… though someone described them as something else to me! Where alcohol and more especially the fires have been 'flagged up' these are not allowed and violate the bye laws. Any incidents that cause concern can be reported to 020 8532 1010, this is a 24 hour service and after hours calls are monitored by a handling centre.

On another subject I am aware that one of the topics of conversation involves the avenue of trees at Loughton Lane. It will be necessary for some safety work to be carried out on these trees and there maybe a need for there to be temporary traffic parking restrictions during this time.

I am looking forward to meeting many of you and hope that I can work with the Parish Council to benefit the village and help keep the area pleasant and enjoyable. This is my first contribution to the Village News and I hope that I will become a regular contributor would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous 2005.

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Latest Newsletters: We now have Trevor Roberts October review of village events Click Here and Chris Caten's latest Beat Mobile Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter Click Here.

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