Calling all adults who want to improve mobility and balance and meet a new crowd! The Social. Active. Strong.  activity programme might be just the ticket. It's a seat-based strength and balance activity class, free of charge and covering a 12-week programme of gentle but effective activities to help you build strength, mobility and day to day activity levels, helping you keep an active, social and independent life.

The service is available to adults living in or registered to a GP’s practice in the Epping Forest district. For more information and to register for classes:

• Call 01992 564226 for advice or email sasreferrals@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
• See the Social Active Strong webpage

If you haven’t started the Ready, Set, Read challenge yet, don’t worry! You’ve still got time to get down to your local library and read six books before the challenge finishes on 2 September. Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge here.

July 30 2023 - Stapleford Road closed for utility repair, UK Power Networks

July 24-28 203 - Two-way signals, Oak Hill Road just on from Tysea Hill junction (Havering direction), ES Pipelines

There will also be works by Affinity Water on Murthering Lane just on from Curtis Mill Lane junction, September 22-26 2023

UK Power Networks: Stapleford Road, 30 May - 7 Jun, Road closed & diversion

Affinity Water: Horseman Side, 1-6 Jun, Road closed

Affinity Water: Stapleford Road, 2-6 June, Footways closed

Thames Water: Stapleford Road, 14 June, Traffic lights

Ride London 2023 - be aware

As happened last year, the parish will see 25000 riders passing through as they take part in a festival of cycling around the county of Essex. Road closures are again in place: in the parish itself, Stapleford Road from Passingford Bridge will be closed, as will Hook Lane towards Lambourne End and Chigwell Row.

Closures will be in force from 07.30 until 17.30.More information can be found here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/38539436

We will be posting rolling updates on our website and notice boards as and when we get it; for the latest news see the official website: https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/

Travel planner link:https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/community-info/community-info/essex

For an interactive map see: https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/community-info/community-info/essex#maps

Road closures for the upcoming month...

UK Power Networks May 29 – June 4

Stapleford Road closed for replacement of a transformer – diversion in place

Thames Water June 15

Traffic lights on Stapleford Road for running repairs

ES Pipelines June 19 - 23

Traffic lights on Oak Hill Road by the exit to Havering atte Bower due to repairs and maintenance

Bank Holiday Monday was officially designated as the day for the Big Help Out - a time for community action as part of the nationwide Coronation celebrations. In Stapleford Abbotts, we combined several themes and launched a litter picking walk that included the inauguration of a Coronation Trail path, complete with commemorative markers which were placed on the day, and an event that joined forces with a team of litter pickers from Lambourne parish. The Stapleford and Lambourne teams started from their respective churches and met in the middle, with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem sung al fresco, a cappella and animato con brio.

Many thanks to all who attended - planners, walkers, pickers, the youngsters who placed the Coronation Trail roundels - and who made it a joyous and successful event. Also many thanks to the weather for holding off until everyone was at their destination! To see more of the day, and the beautiful countryside we walked in, click on the Gallery. 

The weather finally got rain and reign sorted out, and we were gifted with a beautiful spring day for the church service and afternoon tea at St Mary's on Sunday 7th. The church team, bolstered by parish council members and staff, prepared a spread fit for a king, and the service was led by Stapleford & Lambourne's very own Rev Roger Gayler and Pastor Martyn Payne of Abridge Village Church. Afterwards, everyone peeled off to the church grounds to enjoy the tea and scones, or to the bell-tower to try their hand at "Ring for the King" which, in other words, meant making a joyful noise. Quite a contrast with the professional team's orderly chiming before the service - and a bit of a punk revival on the part of the parish clerk!

Many thanks to all who made this such a lovely occasion; for more pictures head on over to our Gallery page.

Despite the weather, everyone came together - to have a wonderful time celebrating the Coronation of Charles III. The pub, in collaboration with the Parish Council, arranged the event, which included a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, face painting, a barbeque and live music. We'd like to thank everyone who attended, from the young artists to the music lovers to the enterprising tinies who partied through the rain. 

Special thanks to the team at The Rabbits for all their hard work, Georgi whose artistic expertise was seen on faces large and small, Mario and his music, and to Kidsplay for the castle. Take a look at our Gallery for more happy snaps from the day!

Council services in the Epping Forest area: who does what?

Different levels of local government provide different services, so information may save time when searching for advice or reporting an issue. If you are new to the district or just not sure who to contact at the Council when you need help and advice, this may help

Essex County Council

Essex County Council is responsible for:

• Schools
• Roads, streets and transport, including potholes and roadworks
• Children’s social care
• Adult social care
• Births, ceremonies and deaths
• Libraries
• Recycling centres and tips
• Trading Standards

Epping Forest District Council

Epping Forest District Council is responsible for:

• Collecting recycling and rubbish
• Housing
• Planning and building control
• Collecting Council Tax
• Benefits
• Business rates
• Elections
• Licensing

Town and parish councils

Town and parish councils are responsible for:

• Markets
• Allotments
• Play areas
• Hall hire
• Public toilets
• Cemeteries
• They are also involved in planning applications in their area

There are 24 town and parish councils in the Epping Forest district.

Epping Forest

The forest does not come under the control of Epping Forest District Council, it is the responsibility of the Corporation of London.

Visit the Corporation of London website including information on:

• Where to go in Epping Forest
• Activities in Epping Forest
• Car parking in Epping Forest

A full list of the banks that have closed or are due to close in Essex this year, and their final days is below:

• Barclays Dagenham, Heathway (March 3)
• Barclays Shenfield, Hutton Rd (April 19)
• Lloyds Chingford, Station Rd (April 25)
• Lloyds Dagenham, Heathway (April 26)
• Halifax Chingford, Chingford Mount Rd (May 15)
• Halifax Maldon, High Street (June 5)
• Barclays Manningtree, High Street (June 7)
• Barclays West Mersea, Yorick Road (June 13)
• Barclays Loughton, High Road (June 22)
• Halifax Grays, High Street (June 22)
• Natwest Harold Hill, Hilldene Avenue (July 6)
• HSBC Hornchurch (August 15)

ROAD CLOSURES IN STAPLEFORD ABBOTTS: APRIL-MAY 2023

Stapleford Road -UK Power Networks

Traffic control – 2-way signals

2/5/23 – 2/5/23

Bournebridge Lane - Gigaclear

Traffic control – 2-way signals

9/5/23 – 11/5/23

Stapleford Road - Gigaclear

Some carriageway incursion

18/5/23 – 22/5/23

Stapleford Road -Gas

Traffic control – 2-way signals

18/5/23 – 28/5/23

Stapleford Road -UK Power Networks

Road Closure

29/5/23 – 4/6/23

The proposed expansion of the ULEZ potentially means that you could be charged £12.50 per trip into London - and that means the outlying London boroughs such as Havering and Redbridge as well as the central area.

If you think this is inappropriate - especially coming as it does in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis - there is a petition already live that you can sign. We will also have these signs on our notice boards if you would like to scan the QR code from there.

Road closures this month

Stapleford Road:

• February 27-March 3 - Water works - Traffic lights
• March 21 - Electricity - Traffic lights
• March 20-24 - Utilities - Traffic lights

Stapleford Road/ Bournebridge Lane

• March 6-17 - Water works - Traffic lights

Bournebridge Lane

• March 22-24 - Road repairs- Traffic lights

Murthering Lane

• March 14-16 - Water works - CLOSED with diversion

Horseman Side & Junction with Goatswood Lane

• March 7- Telecoms - CLOSED with diversion
• March 22-24 - Road repairs - CLOSED with diversion

Tysea Hill & Murthering Lane Junction

• March 22-24 - Road repairs - CLOSED with diversion

Contact Details for Alex Burghart MP, Member of Parliament for Brentwood & Ongar and the representative for Stapleford Abbotts at Westminster:

Parliamentary Enquiries:

• Alex Burghart MP
• House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
• Tel: 020 7219 1613
• alex.burghart.mp@parliament.uk

Website: 

• www.alexburghart.org.uk 

Constituent Enquiries:

• 020 7219 1613
• BrentwoodAndOngar@parliament.uk

Social Media:

• https://twitter.com/alexburghart
• https://www.facebook.com/alex.burghart.brentwood.ongar

The Coronation of King Charles III is coming - the long weekend of May 6-8 will be given over to country-wide celebrations of all kinds, and Stapleford Abbotts will be no exception. We are planning a weekend of jubilation and jollification in collaboration with the Church and the Rabbits pub, with everything from a screening of the ceremony to live music to afternoon the and cakes as the bells ring out.

Official details to be released very soon - watch this space!

Road Closures this month:

Feb 6-8 2023 Affinity Water will be carrying out essential maintenance on Bournebridge Lane - there will be traffic controls with a two-way signal

Feb 17 Essex Highways are undertaking works to the Vehicle Restraint System (VRS) on Horseman Side - there will be traffic controls with a two-way signal

Feb 22-24 2023 Essex County Council will be repairing the carriageway on Bournebridge Lane - traffic will be diverted but emergency access will be maintained at all times

Feb 22 - March 3 Gas Transportation will be undertaking works on Stapleford Road (outside Harleen) - there will be traffic controls with a two-way signal

Feb 22 - March 3 Affinity Water will be carrying out essential maintenance on Stapleford Road near the Gutteridge Lane turn-off- there will be traffic controls with a two-way signal

Feb 27 - March 1 Affinity Water will be carrying out essential maintenance on Murthering Lane - traffic will be diverted but emergency access will be maintained at all times

Epping Forest & Harlow Community Transport are looking for a Minibus Driver 

Full Time or Part Time

Epping Forest & Harlow Community Transport, a long-established charity, has a vacancy for a motivated and flexible Part time or full time Minibus Driver. 

• The successful candidate would ensure the safe transport of our all our passengers, the elderly, disabled, rurally isolated and community bus routes.
• Comprehensive Training package provided.
• Pay Range: £ 21,164.04 pa, plus London Weighting. (pro rata for part time).
• Must be over 25yrs old, and hold a UK driving license with D1 entitlement.

Would you like to join our passionate and dedicated team? For an application form & Job Description please telephone: 01992 579556 or email:efct@efcommunitytransport.org.uk

Fireworks - they’re a perennially popular way to round off a celebration – and available more freely than in earlier years - but please be aware of the rules and restrictions on how fireworks can be used legally and safely.

Fireworks can be used in the UK at any time between 7am and 11pm except:

· Bonfire night: 7am to midnight

· New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year: 7am to 1am the following day

Fireworks fall into four categories:

· category one: ‘Throwdown fireworks’ including firecrackers, bangers and party poppers

• categories two and three: ‘Adult fireworks’ available in shops
• category four: Professional display fireworks available from specialist suppliers

According to The Fireworks Regulations 2004 and The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015:

• anyone over 18 can buy, carry or use category one, two and three fireworks
• anyone over 16 can only buy, carry or use category one fireworks
• anyone over 12 can buy Christmas crackers
• only licensed professionals can buy, carry and use category 4 fireworks
• unless part of an organised event by licensed professionals, fireworks cannot be used on the street or in a public place
• it’s an offence to throw or set off any firework (including sparklers and category 1 fireworks) in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare or public space.

We have recently spoken with the local police representative, PC Andy Cook, about the continued drone sightings at night. After a previous discussion about the increase in car thefts in this and surrounding areas, it was indicated that regular suspicious night flights by drones may be linked.

PC Cook has a contact at Stansted who could track such flights, with both registered and unregistered drones, if sightings were reported quickly. Information could be sent via email to himself and the crime bureau to action an investigation. If anyone observes a drone night flight over the village, please email:

Andrew.Cook@essex.police.uk

Crime.bureau@essex.police.uk

Stapleford Abbotts Parish Council wish all our parishioners, residents, local businesses and visitors a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year!

It's hard to believe that 2022 is over and tomorrow we greet a new year, 2023. The past year, however, has been an eventful one in the parish, and we as a Council have been very proud to instigate, support and enjoy a host of events that have been both sunny and sombre.

We have been involved in organising a Community Speedwatch cohort since early in the year, which we hope will give power to our campaign to reduce speeding in the village and to bring in more permanent controls as regards road safety. The Speedwatch volunteers are always looking for new members, so if you have time to spare and are genuinely worried about driving standards in Stapleford Abbotts, please do get in touch.

The weather turned positively tropical this year, breaking national records and bringing walkers, visitors and locals out into the beautiful countryside around the village, which has to be one of Essex's best kept secrets. The Rogation Walk, which has become a tradition in the area, was very well attended and fun for all who joined in - not to mention very good exercise! Our area has many public footpaths, which have been given a great deal of care by the volunteer group who monitor and maintain them, and the Parish Council has now funded a new bench on Public Right of Way 7 for all to use while out walking - this was sited during the autumn. 

Ride London arrived in the area in late May, with cyclists taking part in a mass road race throughout the county. The event will return in spring 2023, and we are keeping a close watch on planning for this, as the 2022 race had unfortunately had very few details released in good time, and consequently there was very short notice as far as preparation was concerned. Everyone in the village coped admirably before, during and after, and we will pass on updates on the 2023 event to all as we get them, so please watch this space for news.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee was a high point of the year, with everyone excitedly planning for this historic, and probably unique, occasion. The annual Flower Festival was entitled "Flowers for the Queen" and all the participants displayed artistic inspiration, passion for what they do, and a lot of good humour in their exhibits. So many aspects of the Queen's life and reign, and indeed British life and tradition, were interpreted, from afternoon tea to Paddington Bear to corgis and swans to the 1966 World Cup.

As well as providing a presence at the Flower Festival, the Parish Council was proud to take part in the national Jubilee Beacon chain, where we lit our flame at the same time as an estimated 3,500 others all over the UK. Raising a glass to Queen and country at the meeting point by the church, we shared the moment with a pleasingly substantial crowd of supporters, including some new faces to the village. We also donated a commemorative apple tree to the village school, which will hopefully grow, flourish and bear fruit for years and decades to come. On the extended Bank Holiday weekend, the village enjoyed a community picnic - which, due to English weather being English weather and doing the same sort of thing it did on the Queen's Coronation Day itself, was hastily and successfully transferred from its outdoor pitch to the Village Hall.

It seems incredible but just three short months later, the Queen was gone and the upbeat mood retuned to a minor key. Council and church worked together to mark the Queen's death and funeral and the accession of the King officially, with a strictly defined set of protocols that has been laid down by central government; and on a more personal level, by providing a space for local people to reflect and sign books of condolence. We would like to say a huge thank you to all those who worked so hard to get it right, make it respectful and help others express their feelings of gratitude and grief.

Life goes on, and as life has continued in the parish, we have supported many church and community events, including the Christmas market, a beautiful harvest fayre and a memorial service to honour absent friends and relations. And, of course, the now famous (or even infamous) community quiz, which packed Stapleford Hall to the rafters in October. The Crossfire concert at St Mary's in August was a perfect setting for a barbecue and inspired sounds in the hazy days of summer 2022 - and we have also supported the renovations to the church organ with a substantial donation. We are glad to know that it is now back in the finest form, and we look forward to more musical interludes next year and well into the future. 

Relations with our neighbouring parishes are important to us, and we have been making and strengthening connections with them. This year, we have interacted successfully with other small councils in the area on a professional and political level at local councils liaison groups, and on a social stage at events such as the Jubilee quiz, the big Christmas sing and the barn dance at Abridge Hall, the home of Lambourne Parish Council. 

As we gear up for the new year, we are committed, as ever, to working hard for our residents. We are happy to see you and hear from you, and extend a cordial open invitation to our meetings - which, bar the January meeting which has been moved to January 10 2023, and the month of August when there is no meeting - take place in the Village Hall on the first Tuesday of each month. Express your views, make suggestions, give us feedback and tell us what is important to you - it all counts.

We are constantly monitoring power cuts and floods, passing news on from district and county, updating our new website, keeping hedges, verges and footpaths in order - and supporting the work of the volunteer group dedicated to the upkeep of the local Public Rights of Way. In these uncertain times, we are happy to signpost anyone who needs help and advice to organisations and bodies who provide it: and you can be sure that we are always lobbying the powers that be over community issues - roads, transport, verges, crime, speeding, safety - that matter to the community as a whole.

Happy New Year from Stapleford Abbotts Parish Council 

staplefordabbottsparishcouncil@gmail.com 

Please note - collection of green bins has been delayed due to staff off the green dustcarts being diverted to the regular refuse collection to make up for the shortfall on the black bins.

Green bins will resume collection after 28th December.

What is it with the need for speed? One issue that we always have comments from residents about is the constant occurrence of motorists racing through the village at high speed. It's dangerous, it's frightening and it's anti-social.

We are taking positive action. As well as looking to get the speed limits lowered, chiefly in built-up parts of the village and most importantly in the vicinity of the school, we have also formed a Community Speedwatch Group. Our group, which is always looking for new recruits, holds regular sessions in order to gauge the speed of just how fast vehicles are going on the parish's roads and feed back to the central hub operated by the county's emergency services. 

If you have free time and want to help make our roads safer, we're extending an open invitation and a warm welcome. Simply contact the Parish Clerk on staplefordabbottsparishcouncil@gmail.com and we will put you in touch with our police contact for online training - and then to your first stint with the group!

It’s Everyone’s Essex: let’s talk

We want Essex to be the best local authority in the country – as judged by the people, the businesses, and the communities we support and serve. To achieve this, we need to be honest and open. We need the honesty to admit that we don’t have all the answers when it comes to tackling complex problems. And we need to be open to new ideas and approaches – ensuring the services we provide and the investments we make are developed with our communities.

As we shape our financial plans for 2023/24 and beyond, we want to hear from local people about their views and values. We would like to hear your views about:

• the big issues we face and the challenges that lie ahead for Essex.
• the things that concern you and your family; and
• where we should focus resources as we work to improve lives across our county.

Next year, Essex County Council (ECC) will spend over £2bn. This will include funding for essential services and investment in our county’s infrastructure and future growth. This is a substantial amount of money, but it doesn’t go as far as we would like. Just like households across Essex, we have to make difficult choices about where we spend, and where to make savings.

For information on how ECC spends its money, and where it gets its money from can be found here

It's time for communities to tell the powers that be what they think about services and utilities: .the link below is an opportunity to express your views and help protect bus services.

https://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/7/p350931054797.aspx?ebrm=2&l=9

As you'll have heard, Ride London is back next year. The organisers are holding public engagement events soon, open to all, to talk about the 2022 event, announce aspects of 2023's and to provide a forum for views and suggestions. 

All those who want to make their views heard might like to note the nearest ones to our community:

• Tuesday 1 November, 5-8pm - Zinc Arts Centre, High Street, Ongar, CM5 0AD
• Thursday 3 November, 5-8pm - Epping Town Hall, St John's Road, Epping, CM16 5JU
• Friday 4 November, 5-8pm - Roding Valley Hall, Station Way, Buckhurst Hill, IG9 6LN.

Any new information about the event and its outreach work will be posted here.

Look out - we anticipate some road closures in the area in the next few months...

Stapleford Road/ Bournebridge Road: 14 Nov -18 Nov (Gas Transportation Co Ltd)

Stapleford Road near Brook Farm: 30 Nov - 6 Dec - Affinity Water

Stapleford Road near Brook Farm: 13 Dec - 20 Dec (E S Pipelines Ltd)

A quick reminder from Essex Police as regards Halloween...

...The evening should be fun, but some people find it too much - and others can take the spirit of misrule a bit too far. 

If you're going out on the night, stick to houses you know and that are dressed for the occasion, think before pranking and when children are concerned, do not approach strangers.

Residents - there are posters to download and print on the Essex Police website to display in your window or front door to let trick-or-treaters know whether you're taking part or not. Hit www.essex.police.uk/halloween

If you do see or experience any antisocial behaviour, you can report it on the police website - and if someone's life or property is in danger or there's a crime in progress, call 999

Be aware - there is to be a power cut on October 26, 09.00-14.00 in the vicinity between Tysea Hill and the Top Oak, to facilitate maintenance works in the village. 

The first of what we hope to be more benches is now securely in place on Public Right of Way (PROW) 7 at grid reference 511961. The bench has been gifted to the village community by the parish council and sits on one of the most scenic northerly sections of the village for all to enjoy.

Various EFDC services will be out of action Monday 19 September, as it is a national holiday for Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral. Some on-call services will be in operation.

Out of hours emergency

Our out of hours emergency service will respond where there is a risk to you and your family, or danger to the property.

• Call 0333 230 0464

Social media

We’ll be monitoring our social media accounts from 9am until 9pm

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Apply, Book, Pay, Report

Many of our services are available online.

• Apply for a service including benefits, business rates, planning advice and council housing
• Book an event or activity
• Pay a bill, fine or invoice
• Report a problem including missed bin collection, anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping

Alternatively use our 24-hour automated telephone payment service

• Call 01992 564000

Epping Community Hub

The Epping Community Hub will be closed.

Should you require the services of any of the hub partners, visit our hub webpage for contact details.

Epping Forest District Museum

The Epping Forest District Museum, Waltham Abbey will be closed on Monday 19 September, opening from 10am on Tuesday 20 September.

Follow the museum on social media

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter

North Weald Airfield

North Weald Airfield will be closed; National Police Air Service and the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance are the only services permitted to fly.

Leisure centres

All the district’s leisure centres will be closed on Monday 19 September.

• Epping Sports Centre
• Loughton Leisure Centre
• Ongar Leisure Centre
• Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre

Libraries services

Please check Essex County Council website for library updates.

One-minute’s silence

A national one-minute silence will be held on Sunday 18 September at 8pm to reflect on Her Majesty the Queen’s life and legacy.

Commemorating the life of Her Majesty

There will be a Civic Service to commemorate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

• Where: St John’s Church, Epping, CM16 5DN
• When: Wednesday 14 September 2022
• Time: 7pm

Due to the nature of the service and late notice seating will be on a first come, first served basis.

Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr Mary Sartin, read the formal Proclamation for the district, outside the Council Offices, Epping. This formally marks the commencement of the reign of King Charles III. 

As a mark of respect to the Queen, we have draped the village sign in black and brought our own floral tribute. Anyone wishing to do likewise is more than welcome to lay their flowers at the sign.

A memorial service for the Queen is anticipated to take place on Monday September 19 2022 at St Mary's Church - details soon.

The community is invited to share their sympathy over the death of the Queen - we have a Book of Condolence open from tomorrow morning at 9am at St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Stapleford Abbotts. We will keep the book free for all to sign and read until just after the funeral, details of which are yet to be announced. Hours are anticipated to be 9-5 each day.

We're sure many people might like to make a floral tribute to the Queen on her passing: so the Parish Council are happy to announce that if anyone wants to lay some flowers, they can do this at the village sign on Stapleford Road - but please be careful whilst you are paying your respects. We will be dressing the sign in black ribbon as a sign of official mourning. 

As all will now know, HM Queen Elizabeth II died today aged 96, after a reign of seventy years.

In sadness, sympathy, and solidarity, with her family and with the rest of the country, we at Stapleford Abbotts Parish Council would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences and prayers.

We call upon the local community to join us in mourning and commemoration: we will have Books of Condolence at the church and will be observing flag protocols. Updates will be posted as and when we receive them

Please get in touch on staplefordabbottsparishcouncil@gmail.com or on 07894 154877 (preferably by text) with any queries or messages.

Queen Elizabeth II - Recquiescat in Pace

King Charles III - God Save the King

A well attended village Bar B Q last night in a beautiful setting at St Marys Church. A superb summer evening with entertainment provided by live band Crossfire - featuring Canon Reverend Roger Gayler on the drums!

"A Festival for the Queen" was the theme behind this year's popular Flower Festival at St Mary's Church - very fitting too as this is the  Platinum Jubilee year. And what a festival it was - the church filled with floral decorations on every variation on the royal topic, from tea with the Queen to the royal swans to the ubiquitous corgis. Unlike Coronation Day, the weather was magnificent - and footfall was impressive, with a lot of curious out-of-district visitors dropping in across the weekend to be impressed by the display, the music, the stalls and the refreshments. Many many thanks to all who worked so hard made it such a success - the organisation team, the willing helpers, the creatives, the stallholders, the band and so many more. 

We're aware that there have been some water supply problems in the Stapleford Abbotts area over the last week. If you are affected, the water authorities will supply bottled water whilst they are getting the pipes back on track. Call your relevant water company or keep abreast of events as they happen online here:

Affinity Water

Telephone: 0345 357 2407
Website: https://www.affinitywater.co.uk/

Thames Water

Telephone: 0800 316 9800
Website: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/

A message to all Essex residents from Essex County Council Health & Social Care:

In advance of the predicted record-breaking temperatures over the next week, and as I said at yesterday’s County Council meeting, I am keen to mobilise the people of Essex.

We have many tens of thousands of people living on their own or in small households and how, through age or illness, are vulnerable. Many live in homes which offer little respite. The county council and other agencies are creating plans to meet the needs of those they know about, but there are far, far more whom we do not know.

We need to encourage everyone to think about the people who they know, or whom they don’t know but live nearby, and who might be vulnerable to extreme heat. There are many ways to help and by popping in, by encouraging them to have a drink, maybe by lending a fan or other cooling device, or even by inviting them round to your own, cooler property for a while.

I attach a short video which anyone is welcome to use and distribute (click on this link:Hot weather ); you may wish to create your own social media message. I have asked the Essex Wellbeing Service to be ready to take calls from people needing help or identifying where help is needed.

We have had too much heartbreak across the last two years. Excess deaths are already being reported across the county for reasons which are not entirely understood. Let’s create a movement that will truly save lives in the coming days.

Many thanks,

Cllr John Spence CBE

Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care, Essex County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford

The Jubilee Beacon gathering was a great success - we marked the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a beacon, fire pit and a toast to Her Majesty, in keeping with hundreds of other authorities across the county and indeed across the world. The weather stayed fine, the sunset stayed magnificent and we had 50 attendees who came to share the occasion with us. Many thanks to all who joined us - and to all those who lent equipment, brought cake and supplied drinks. More pictures to follow!

The Jubilee Weekend is well under way - many thanks to all who have decorated the streets and their houses - and to those who came to the Beacon Lighting on June 2. We hope to see you at the Church Picnic - rain or shine - on the 5th!

To mark the Platinum Jubilee, the Parish Council will be lighting a beacon and raising a glass to commemorate the Queen's remarkable and historic 70-year reign, and the many remarkable people, in the national and global spotlight and in everyday life, who have lived in that time along with her.

Everyone is welcome! Please meet at St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Stapleford Abbotts, on Thursday June 2 2022 - we suggest gathering at 9.15pm for the beacon lighting at 9.45pm, which will be the moment that hundreds of other beacons up and down the country will also be lit. Tea, coffee, wine and cake will be served for the occasion!

There will also be a community picnic at St Mary's Church on Sunday June 5th - starting at 3pm in the Church Grounds. For more information contact the Church Team via rogergayler@btinternet.com

A Platinum Jubilee - or indeed anniversary - is a fairly uncommon occurrence and it requires a very special token in recognition. As a Parish Council, we discussed many different ideas as a gift from us to the school, such as coins, cups, spoons, bookmarkers and pictures. However we wanted something that would be suitable not only to make an occasion for the day itself and for the children attending in 2022, but to bear fruit for the generations of children that follow them.

The idea of bearing fruit was one we were all enthusiastic about: what about a fruit tree that would grow and flourish - and provide break-time snacks for future Stapleford Academy pupils? And there was a clear winner - an apple tree called "The Queen." It was a unanimous hit with the Parish Council and with the school management team when we suggested it to them.

We discovered that this particular tree is native to Essex, having been developed here over 200 years ago - adding an overlay of proud localism to the patriotic day. These trees, naturally enough, were hugely popular with people planning garden-related events for the Platinum Jubilee - so much so that the growers only released a certain number per day on their website, leading to the parish clerk counting down the seconds to midnight when the next tranche of trees was up for sale!

The planting ceremony itself took place on May 31, just as the school broke up for their spring half-term holiday. It was attended by the school pupils, staff, ground crew and Cllr Kim Lidlow of the Parish Council, who had very kindly cared for the tree since its delivery to the village. We look forward to the tree growing along with the pupils... and beyond.

The annual Rogation Walk on May 22 2022 - beating the bounds of the parish followed by tea and cake at the church. A recently-instituted but popular tradition and very well-attended, with 37 participants enjoying the beautiful weather, pastoral scenery, good company and treasure hunt. Many thanks to all who came along to walk and to help with the refreshments and set-up.

The Jubilee is on the way - and lots of people will be dressing up their houses over the weekend. If anyone in Stapleford Abbotts with gates that could be made a bit more patriotic would like to have some bunting, please let us know onstaplefordabbottsparishcouncil@gmail.com or on 07599 249962

Ride London is coming on Sunday May 29 - we are aware that many people are worried because of the upheaval this will generate with road closures and cycle traffic. The organisers will be at the Rabbits on Monday May 9 at 6-7.30pm, to answer questions and offer advice. Drop-in session will be in the conservatory.

Ride London is coming – Stapleford Abbotts will be affected

As you may now know, RideLondon, the world’s largest festival of cycling, will be taking place in Essex. Our area will host the event on Sunday 29^th May when there will be road closures for the duration of the day. You can see route details and information about the event on the RideLondon website https://www.ridelondon.co.uk/road-closures/road-closure-information

As the event takes place, cyclists will be heading from Stapleford Tawney, across Passingford Bridge and along Stapleford Road turning up Hook Lane towards Manor Road towards Lambourne End.

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It’s time for the annual…

STAPLEFORD ABBOTTS 

         ROGATION WALK

We all missed it last year – so let’s have a good one in ’21!

When…? Sunday May 9 2021

Where…? Starts at St Mary’s Church, Stapleford Abbotts and takes in the Millennium Footpath, a scenic circular route. Includes an I-Spy quiz for children (of all ages!)

Time…? Please gather at the church for 2.45 pm

Tea & cake will be served at the church afterwards!

• Please note that this route is not suitable for pushchairs.
• Under 11s must be accompanied by an adult.
• Dogs welcome, but must be on a leash and supervised at all times.

If you would like to come along, or if you have any queries, please let Marion Francis know by phone, text or email:07925 936614 cllrmfrancis.sapc@gmail.com