January - March News 2010

EFDSC is a non-profitmaking swimming club that exists to provide the opportunity for young people to learn to swim and to achieve their potential in competitive swimming. It is run by parents solely for the benefit of the swimmers.
We provide swimming lessons for children of around 4 years upwards and training for competitive swimming from around 7/8 years. Swimming is universally recognised as an excellent way of keeping fit and we have an active Epping Forest 'Masters' section.
Whilst much attention is focused on helping swimmers achieve success at Essex, East Region and National competitions, we also hold Club Championships, Charity Galas and Social Events. Our Christmas Relay Gala in support of Cancer Research is an established favourite.
Whilst EFDSC is a small club compared to its London neighbours it is huge on success. 2010 has started well with outstanding performances at County level, great expectations at the forthcoming East Region Championships In Norwich and for the first time in many years the club will be represented at the Nationals in Sheffield.
We also have a thriving disability section with a number of swimmers on the British Disability Swimming World Class Pathway programme, competing at National and International Level.
If you are interested in finding out more about the club as a swimmer or to offer your support in anyway please contact Susan Whitehead on 02082810254 or visit www.efdsc.org

23rd February 2010 M25 Bell Common Tunnel Refurbishment:

Costain has been carrying out refurbishment works on Bell Common Tunnel. They are near completion and it is anticipated that they will complete the work approximately 2 months ahead of programme.

The current phase of the works is nearly completed. This phase of works has concentrated on the commissioning of the mechanical and electrical works; communication systems and the environmental control systems of the tunnel.

The current traffic management has included the running of 3 full width lanes in each bore at 50mph. It is the intention in March to return the Motorway to full operational service in the Bell Common Tunnel. This will include the removal of the traffic management, the removal of a free recovery service and returning the speed limit to 70mph.

It will be necessary to continue to reduce the lanes available at night to enable access to elements of the project to complete some minor commissioning and minor work activities. This will culminate with the emergency exercise night time closure and testing of the integrated system over the night of 17/18 April 2010.

Costain Limited apologises for any inconvenience caused by the works. They would like to take the opportunity in thanking the local community for their patience during the refurbishment works.

If you require any further information or need to contact them, please leave a message on 08456-037-985 or e-mail Ann Gout the Public Relations Manager: [email protected] and one of the team will contact you.

It is now less than two months before the Club commence their 2010 season and, as usual, applications for playing membership will be welcome from all ages from eight upwards regardless of ability. You will be joining a progressive and sociable club in beautiful surroundings. Social membership is also available for anyone wishing to support the Club on a non-playing basis.

Details of the Club can be found on our website: www.tbcc.co.uk or call Club Secretary Peter Gooch on 01992 812908.

(Children get a free trial session)
Ballroom & Latin American Dancing
Wednesdays (during term time beginning 24th Feb 2010)

School Years 1,2 & 3        4:30 – 5:15pm
School Years 4,5 & 6        5:15 – 6:00pm
Secondary School/Young Adults 6:00 – 7:00pm
        Adults Only         7:30 – 9:00pm

Cost:
School Years 1- 6: £4.50 per session, course of 6 payable in advance at beginning of each ½ term total £27.00.
Secondary School/Young Adults: £6.00 per session, course of 6 payable in advance at beginning of each ½ term total £36.00.
Adults: £8.00 per session, course of 6 payable in advance at beginning of each ½ term
total £48.00.

! STOP PRESS !
OUR LOCAL POLICEMAN PC ANDY COOK WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE NEXT SESSION. IF YOU HAVE ANY POLICE ISSUES THEN PLEASE COME ALONG AND DISCUSS THEM WITH ANDY

THE NEXT SURGERY WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL 7TH JUNE DUE TO BANK HOLIDAYS SO IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO RAISE THEN COME ALONG ON MONDAY 1ST MARCH 2010

The Parish Council is pleased to announce the continuation of its
One-2-One consultations once a month at the Village Hall.

This is your opportunity to tell us what is happening in the village – good or bad. If you have issues or concerns that you would like to be addressed, come along and discuss these, in confidence, with a Theydon Bois Parish Councillor.

One-2-One sessions are held at
Theydon Bois Village Hall, between 5.30 and 7.00 pm on the first Monday of each month (excluding Bank Holidays)

Next session: Monday 1st March 2010
It’s your village – let’s work together to keep it a

PC Andy Cook has advised us that since 1st January there have been a much higher number of burglaries in the village than average. He tells us that these have comprised thefts of relatively small easily concealed items such as cash, jewellery and laptops. There is no particular pattern; some incidents have been in the afternoon, some in the evening and even some at weekends. Also the problem is apparently village wide and is not limited to any particular roads.

Please let fellow residents know and advise them to be vigilant and security conscious. If any resident needs any further help or information then they should contact the Police or seek help and advice from the local Crime Reduction Officer on 0300 333 4444

After many years of negotiations with Essex County Council the Parish Council are pleased to announce that real progress is now being made with the purchase of the former Youth Club Building, our solicitor has received draft legal documentation from Essex County Council and we hope to exchange contracts in the near future.

We have also received approval from the relevant Government Department to borrow the purchase monies by way of Public Works Loan.

Theydon Bois Village Association has agreed to provide very significant financial support for the project and the Parish council would like to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to the Association for their ongoing support and commitment.

It is the Parish Council’s intention to set up a Charity to run the facility therefore:

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

It is intended to hold a meeting with all interested parties to discuss the uses and the way forward for this exciting new Village opportunity next month.

If you are interested in helping to run this new community facility in any way then please contact Sally (the Parish Clerk) or Greville (Finance Officer) at the Parish Office The Village Hall or Cllr Peter Hammond via the Parish Office on 01992 813442 or by email: [email protected]

Please be part of it, don’t forget once purchased the hall and grounds will be available for the use of the community.

This year’s Open Gardens’ Day is being organised by Theydon Youth with the continued support and help of the Village Association. This prestigious event, which is in it’s 30th year, is always held on the last Sunday of June. It has become an annual tradition where visitors, from near and far, have the chance to look around some of the beautiful private gardens within our Village. If you would like to show your garden please contact Karen Collins (Tel.01992 812295/E-mail [email protected] ). If you would like more information or have a spare hour or so to help on the day then please contact Thea Buisson (Tel 01992 815982/E-mail [email protected]).

Ellie our Youth Editor has now update our site Youth Pages, but she stills needs to hear from you about young peoples activities in Theydon and what you would like to see on the young peoples part of our website. You can email Ellie at [email protected]

3rd February 2010 Theydon Bois Shindig raises £1,400 for Children’s Cancer Charity:

Over 110 people packed into Theydon Bois Village Hall on the 30th January for a Shindig organised by local mum Xanthe Bearman to raise money for the CLIC Sargent Charity.

Xanthe’s good friend Karen Sheard is running the marathon for Clic Sargent this year and pledged to raise £2000. Xanthe thought that an event to help Karen reach her target was in order, and the Shindig was born!

Live band The Mazers rocked Theydon Bois and had everyone up dancing. The buffet went down well and everyone bought raffle tickets. The raffle was well supported by many Theydon Bois businesses and Xanthe was thrilled with the donations – as were the winners!
The total amount raised on the night was £1,400 which will go a long way towards helping children and young people with cancer and supporting their families through the trauma of their diagnosis and treatment.

Xanthe commented “I can’t thank everyone enough, from the businesses who gave raffle prizes to the people who came on the night – their generosity is overwhelming”.

The first of the Parish Council One-2-One's consultations of 2010 took place at at the Village Hall last Monday 1st February. Our local Policeman, Andy Cook attended this session to give advice on Police issues and he hopes to be able to attend the future sessions also.

The One-2-One's are your opportunity to tell us what is happening in the village – good or bad. Or if you have issues or concerns that you would like to be addressed, come along and discuss these, in confidence, with a Theydon Bois Parish Councillor. The next One-2-One is on Monday 1st March.

One-2-One sessions are held at
Theydon Bois Village Hall, between 5.30 and 7.00 pm on the first Monday of each month (excluding Bank Holidays)

Time of My Life - by Alan Ayckbourn
Dates - March 18-20. Performances start at 8.00 pm.

At - Theydon Bois Village Hall
Tickets - £6.50 Box office - Mr and Mrs James - 01992 812250.

It's a bitter-sweet comedy about a family that has to cope with a devastating event that changes all their lives. Set in a restaurant, it's one of Ayckbourn's most ingeniously constructed plays. We meet Gerry and Laura, their sons Glyn and Adam and their partners as they celebrate Laura's birthday. The play subsequently follows the relationships of the three couples, moving both forwards and backwards in time. There are plenty of laughs but a few tears as well as the family reacts to a tragic accident that occurs after the dinner party.

3rd February 2010 Sarah Hannibal is British National Telemark Champion for 2010:

The third Army Telemark Championships was held in Rauris between 6 - 18 January. Once again, the army also hosted the Royal Navy Telemark championships, but this year the championships also formally doubled as the GB Telemark championships, for the first time.

For the last three years the Army Telemark Ski Association has run the Army and Navy (and this year GB National) Telemark championships in Rauris, so when the opportunity arose to run a World Cup Telemark event over the same period it was seized with little hesitation. The event offered Service racers - the clear majority of whom have recently returned from or are about to deploy on operations - the stimulation of being an integral part of a top class event ahead of their own championship races.

The championships began slowly, with snow in UK delaying some competitors' arrival for the training week in Rauris by as much as two days. Nevertheless, around 70 Army, Navy and UK Civilian skiers joined the championships.

In the GB Telemark championships events Sarah Hannibal from Theydon Bois (pictured here in the British Team Colours), who we reported on in May last year as being selected for the British Team, became the Female British National Telemark Champion winning in all 3 events.

Conditions were ideal for racing, for most of the week. Although the pack was generally thin, there had been recent snow and the clear, cold days made for good visibility and an excellent racing surface. The championship races were set down the Kreutzboden hill - which had hosted the World Cup event only days before - so racers found plenty of challenge in the course.

Telemark ski racing makes a great spectator sport. The discipline is characterised by the graceful telemark turn and, at this top level, by the perilous and gymnastic nature of the athlete's descent.

Theydon Bois Parish Council will be holding their third ‘Afternoon Tea’ for elderly and less mobile residents in the village from 2.30 – 4.30pm on Friday 12th March at the Village Hall.

We are pleased to announce the entertainment for the afternoon will be from ‘Pearly Peggy’. There will be memories, anecdotes and reminisces followed by a musical interlude of songs ranging from 1850’s – 1950’s.

Peggy Oliver, a resident of Chigwell was Crowned Original Pearly Queen of the London Borough of Redbridge, and has now completed in excess of 25 years of talks and entertainment events both in and out of the Borough. Fees or donations ‘earned’ are kindly passed on to various local charities. In 2001 and 2008 Peggy was awarded a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award from the Borough Mayor for services to local charity groups specialising in the handicapped, youth projects and the elderly. In 2003 Peggy was invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party, was honoured by Redbridge Council and entered on the Civic list and in 2006 she completed 25 years as the Borough Pearly Queen. There is never a dull moment, with visits to hospitals, residential homes for the elderly or handicapped, clubs, organisations and schools.

If you would like to come along and be entertained by ‘Pearly Peggy’, enjoy a cup of tea, a piece of home-made cake and a chat, or would like a confidential one-2-one talk with a Parish Councillor, please call Sally or Greville at the Parish Office on 01992 813442 to book your place, or if necessary to reserve a place on the bus! Anyone wishing to help out on the day, please also come along or call the Parish Office for more details.

The following event will be on Friday 11th June from 3pm – 5pm, if you have any ideas of what you would like to see or do please do not hesitate to contact us!

This years Open Gardens Day is on the 27th of June and the organisation of the event which in previous years has been run by the Village Association is now in the hands of 'Theydon Youth' who run the village youth club.

Community Transport is here to help you: the project was set up in the Epping Forest district 8 years ago for people who have difficulty accessing conventional transport. This could be because of restricted mobility, no alternative form of passenger transport and rurally isolated areas.

Since then the facility has expanded and there are now six minibuses operated by a dedicated team of volunteer drivers who also use their own cars, giving up their free time to help residents of Epping Forest district to live an independent life.

All areas of the district are covered so members can go shopping, visit friends, out to lunch, attend doctor/dentist/hospital appointments, and visit hairdressers or the like. We have also introduced a selection of day trips which have proved very popular with our members who enjoyed trips to Clacton and Southend, London sightseeing trips and some very enjoyable lunch dates. If you want some help or make some new friends, contact us:

Epping Forest Community Transport
Homefield House, Civic Offices, High Street, Epping Essex CM16 4BZ
TEL: 01992 564040 FAX: 01992 564254 [email protected]

The Parish Council is pleased to announce the continuation of its
One-2-One consultations once a month at the Village Hall.

One-2-One sessions are held at
Theydon Bois Village Hall, between 5.30 and 7.00 pm on the first Monday of each month (excluding Bank Holidays)

It’s your village – let’s work together to keep it a
safe and pleasant place to live

24th January 2010 St. Clare's 20th Anniversary Meal & Auction in the Village Hall:

The Scarlet Auction in aid of St Clare Hospice
http://stclare.visiblepeople.co.uk/

to be held at Theydon Bois Village Hall, Village Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, Essex CM16 7ER

Friday February 12th 2010
Champagne reception from 7 pm

Theydon Bois Village Hall will become home to the inaugural Scarlet Auction for around 140 people in aid of St Clare Hospice. The event will commence with a Champagne reception followed by a 2 course dinner. The Auction will begin at 9.15pm.

The Auctioneer for the evening will be Mr Philip Gee, a highly acclaimed charity fundraiser.

The Auction will be a stunner , there will be between 50-60 lots for auction and these will include a variety of “headliners”. Our aim is to offer some unusual and interesting items in order to smash through the fundraising target of £30,000.

Ticket price: £25 per head

St. Clare's would be extremely grateful for any items that could be offered to us for the Auction, and of course they need to sell as many tickets as possible. For enquiries or contributions contact:
[email protected]

telephone: 0208 502 0122 or 07785 241702 07785 241702

The full list of the Meetings of the Theydon Bois Parish Council in 2010 are now online here Public Meetings are at 8.00pm on Thursdays.

Villagers are encouraged to attend any or all Parish Council Meetings. These are an opportunity to hear of issues affecting our village. Villagers all so have the opportunity to speak at the Bi-Monthly Public Participation Meetings.

As well as meetings One-to Ones (or Open Surgeries) are held on a monthly basis where villagers can discuss matters of concern with a councillor in confidence.

One-to Ones Surgeries are 5.30pm - 7.00pm on the first Monday of each Month.

Sally Warrington & her family have lost their dog Dogger (see picture). He went missing last Wednesday during the snow & he hasn’t been seen since. He is six years old, male and all white apart from marking's on head. very friendly and was not wearing a collar, but he is chipped.

They are obviously very worried and would really appreciate your help in looking out for him – especially if you have a dog and go over the fields at the back of Dukes Avenue or if you use the golf course (Sally lives in Little Gregories).

If you see him will you please email [email protected] or
telephone 07801 751094/5

The Epping Forest Group is a friendly local group of the national Alpine Garden Society and is for all those with an interest in alpine plants, whether in the wild or growing at home in the garden, frame or greenhouse.

The Group meets every month from September to May, usually on the second Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall. Meetings take the form of an illustrated lecture or a demonstration, followed by refreshments.

18th January 2010 Epping Forest District Council's Young Citizen of the
Year Nominations:

Do you know someone who is kind, caring and helps others? If you do, nominate them for Epping Forest District Council's Young Citizen of the Year.

Friends, relatives, neighbours or colleagues all have the chance to nominate a special young person for this award. It is presented annually to a young person, aged between 11 and 18 years, in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the Epping Forest community.

Nominees must be aged 11 to 18 years old and live in the Epping Forest District. Closing date for nominations is Friday 22 January 2010. For further information see this EFDC Website page.

18th January 2010 Michael Chapman Vice President of Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society Elected as Epping forest Verderer:

Michael Chapman, a former resident of the Village, was elected to the post of Verderer of Epping Forest following the retirement of the previous incumbent Michael Davies, 81, after serving 25 years in that office. Michael’s role, which is entirely voluntary, will be to represent the views of Forest users on the board of the City of London which is the authority responsible for maintaining the Forest. A solicitor by profession, Michael, 64, is a resident of Epping Green, an Essex Deputy Lieutenant, the chairman of St Clare’s Hospice and Vice President of the Theydon Bois and District Rural Preservation Society. He will represent the northern parishes on the edge of the Forest; Epping, Theydon Bois, Loughton, Waltham Cross, Chingford and Chigwell.

Essex Libraries runs a Home Library Service, bringing library books and DVD's to people who are unable to use a library building or mobile library. Volunteers call at members’ homes at pre-arranged times and will even stop for a chat or to offer recommendations. As well as books, including large print, Home Library Service customers can also borrow audio books, music or DVD's free of charge.

Lesley Lewis
Audience Development Officer
Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing
Libraries
Braintree Library
Tel: 01376 320752
[email protected]

Just a reminder that as from January 2010 Greville Norman (Responsible Finance Officer) will be here on Mondays from 10 a.m until 4 pm or thereabouts and I will be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I will be here from 10 a.m until 4 p.m approx on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 10 a.m until 3 p.m on Thursdays.

The office will be closed on Fridays although one or other of us may need to pop in on occasion. We will be putting a poster on the door and the details on the website.

Officially the office will be open to the public from 10 a.m until 12 noon Monday to Thursday but obviously Greville and I will be flexible and if anyone turns up after 12 noon then we will always try and see them, subject to other commitments.

50+? Come and be inspired! Visit the Essex Later Life Expo for ideas and motivation to kick-start your healthy new year on Wednesday 20 January 2010 at Charter Hall in Colchester.

Running from 10am until 4pm, there will be information on all aspects of healthy living, home safety and fitness. Seminars and presentations will provide tips on improving your wealth and overall wellbeing and live demonstrations will offer the chance to join in with some fun activities.

With over 40 exhibitors taking part, the Essex Later Life Expo is the opportunity to get advice and new ideas directly from the experts; covering a wide range of topics from gardening, arts, crafts, leisure, cooking and travel, to further education, health, transport, benefits and pensions, plus much, much more!

Hosted by Dave Monk from BBC Essex and featuring Horticulturist Christine Walkden from BBC ‘Gardener’s World’ and ‘The One Show’, it’s an event not to be missed.

Epping Police have alerted us to a bogus Window Cleaner Operating in Theydon. If you have elderly neighbours please alert them about this danger.

"A BOGUS window cleaner has been targeting elderly people in a village. Police say the con-man struck twice in Theydon Bois, on Sunday, December 13 at the homes of women in their 80s. At one address he claimed that he had cleaned the windows and charged £5. But the windows had not been touched. At a second address he charged £3 but is thought to have taken about £15 by tricking the woman out of change from a £20 note. Again the windows were not cleaned.

Police have urged residents to be vigilant and to call them if they are approached by a stranger claiming to be their window cleaner.

The man involved was white, aged about 40 to 50, about 5ft 10ins tall, and had short dark hair. He was wearing a grey jacket."

Time is running out ……..
The Prime Minister must call the General Election in the first half of this year. So make sure you don’t miss out by not having a vote.

There will be a General Election shortly so make sure your name is on the electoral register. Those of you who live in Buckhurst Hill, Epping, Loughton and Theydon Bois will also have District Council elections on 6 May. At the moment, you might not be thinking about voting on polling day but if you change your mind nearer the time and you aren’t registered, you might be too late to do anything about it.
If you have recently moved, will be 18 before June (the last month for the election) or think your name might have been missed off at the autumn canvass stage please check the register by calling 01992 564411.
To be able to vote you must be on the register so check now before it is too late to make any changes to the register.

Ellie is at present updating the Youth Pages. If you have any news for her about your Youth Group and its activities she will be glad to hear from you. She will also try to include anything you would like to see on these pages. The deadline to be included in the latest update is 27th January, but you can send information at anytime. She can be contacted on the email address below.

Ellie Bedwell has recently volunteered as the new Theydon Bois Youth Editor for the website. She is 16 and has lived in Theydon Bois all her life, having attended Theydon Bois Primary School. She is at present a Year 11 pupil at Davenant Foundation School. Over the years Ellie has been involved in many of the youth activities in Theydon such as Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and St. Mary's Church. The Village Website has felt for sometime that information for and young peoples own views are under represented in Theydon. With Ellie's and your help we hope to change that.

Using all her connections with the various youth groups Ellie has started as editor of our new youth pages. Ellie is though keen to get as much input from the young people in Theydon as possible. She say's "I want them to own and develop what I have started. I want young people to tell me what they want here and give me their news about what's happening with other young people in Theydon. They can have cool links to places on the Web, somewhere to advertise their group, and even pictures of themselves or the group, so everyone can see what you get up to! So let me know what excites you and what's important for young people in Theydon, our Youth News so far is here, but in order for me to keep this updated I need your regular reports and news in order for me to get your message across. For example, what have you or your organisation got planned for Christmas?! The simplest and easiest way to do this is to email me at: [email protected] "

So what do we have for you so far. The links under the Youth Pages Logo will take you direct to web spaces that you probably already use or might find useful. You might want to make this page your Home Page so as to have them conveniently in one place. Don't like these links? Know better ones? Want to change them? Want to send us your reviews of the latest films, sport or music, well try to include them. Let us know and we'll try to bring you what you want. Your response is greatly appreciated!

Theydon Bois Village Web Site

23rd February 2010 M25 Bell Common Tunnel Refurbishment:

The Scarlet Auction in aid of St Clare Hospice http://stclare.visiblepeople.co.uk/

The Scarlet Auction in aid of St Clare Hospice
http://stclare.visiblepeople.co.uk/