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Light up a Life
The Town Council, in support of St. Clare Hospice, again held a successful Light up a Life ceremony at Kings Green on Saturday 26 November. Now in its twelfth year, the ceremony was well attended. Many local residents value this opportunity to come together and share a quiet time of reflection, with thoughts of loved ones and times shared. The Town Council looks after Kings Green and the lights on the tree which this year have been replaced with new low energy bulbs. The event also helps provide welcome funds to support the work of the hospice.
We would like to thank the Essex Police and the Community Support Officers who attended to direct traffic to allow the procession from the Loughton Methodist Church to Kings Green. We would also like to thank Davenant Community Choir for leading the singing of carols. At Kings Green the Town Mayor, Councillor Caroline Pond, gave an address and switched on the lights. Revd Richard Fisher on behalf of Churches Together in Loughton led the prayers and Giles Wright, Communications Manager at St Clare Hospice also addressed the gathering. After the ceremony everyone was invited back to the Methodist Church for coffee and mince pies. The mince pies were kindly donated by Wm Morrisons Supermarket.
Citizenship Awards 2012
Do you know someone deserving of recognition for their contribution to the life and spirit of Loughton? The town council seeks nominations for the 2012 Citizenship Awards. This annual event recognises the special achievements of people in our own town who have gone the extra mile for the benefit of the local community. Any Loughton resident, employer, educational establishment, group or society may submit a nomination, but please do not let the nominee know at this stage.
Nominations can be in recognition of long service or involvement with a voluntary organisation or local charity, good neighbourliness, organising a campaign to improve community facilities or cohesion, or by an act of bravery or courage.
There are three categories:
(A) Acts of courage or bravery in the year in question that have resulted, for instance, in the prevention of a serious crime or the rescue of individuals from danger.
(B) Voluntary Service (i) for people aged 25 or over and (ii) for people under 25 years of age.
Winners will be presented with an illuminated scroll and a cheque for £250 made payable to their favourite local charity during the Annual Civic Service on Sunday 4 March at 3pm in the Loughton Methodist Church.
The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2012. Nomination forms are available from the council offices and can be downloaded here.
Last year’s winners were Taylor Baldwin for his voluntary work at Loughton Youth Project and Joyce Barcley for her many years of service to Guiding.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012
As part of the plans to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the town council is delighted to announce its decision to dedicate three sites in Loughton as QEII Fields to protect these recreational spaces for future generations as a permanent living legacy of this great event.
You may already have heard of the original 1936 King George’s Field scheme in which over 400 playing fields were preserved and safeguarded for the public benefit and dedicated to the memory of King George V. These fields are now owned by the National Playing Fields Association and managed on their behalf by either a council or a board of local trustees. The nearest of these is in Brentwood at Hartswood Park, off the Ingrave Road.
In Loughton, Hillyfields, the Roding Valley Recreation Ground and the Willingale Road Playing Field will soon be protected under a non-charitable trust deed in partnership with the Fields in Trust charity as public playing fields and recreation grounds for the benefit of the inhabitants of Loughton.
The names of these well-known local spaces will not be changed but dedication plaques will be installed to record their new protected status.
The vision of the Fields in Trust charity is to ensure that everyone – young or old, able or disabled and whether they live in an urban or rural environment – has access to free, local outdoor spaces for all kinds of sport, play and recreation.
More information on this scheme can be found here.
Willingale Road Nature Reserve volunteer day
Saturday 11 February 2012 from 10am–2pm
The town council in partnership with Countrycare invites neighbours and residents of Loughton to help maintain this important site. No longer earmarked as a possible location for the skate park, it is important to manage the natural vegetation to ensure the habitat is good for the variety of wildlife including the slow-worms, lizards and grass-snakes that have been found there. Children aged 11 and over are welcome but if under 16, must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and lots of enthusiasm. All tools, coffee, tea and biscuits are provided.
Meet at the entrance gate off Willingale Road, beside Debden Park High School.
Claire Harper jazz night
Following on from the excellent chamber music concert at the Loughton Methodist Church this October given by a quintet from the City of London Sinfonia, we are pleased to announce the return of Claire Harper and her musicians in a live performance of the “American Song Book” on Friday 23 March 2012 at the Murray Hall starting at 7.30pm. Tickets, all priced at £7.50, will be on sale from the town council offices in January. This is likely to be a very popular event so book early to avoid disappointment.
www.claireharperquartet.com
Town Council elections
An early reminder that on Thursday 3 May 2012, the town council will go to the polls. Our twenty two councillors representing the seven ward areas in the town are elected to serve for a four-year period. This is an exciting time for local councils as the government’s vision of the Big Society sits well with their existing work to represent the local community, deliver services to meet local needs and strive to improve the quality of life and community well-being.
If you would like more information on standing for election contact the town council office for details.
Halls for hire
The town council has recently updated the Facilities List which provides details of halls, meeting rooms and sporting facilities for hire in the town and surrounding areas. Details can be found here.
If you wish to update the information provided please contact the council on 020 8508 4200 or email contact@loughton-tc.gov.uk
Tree planting
Kingsley pre-school was recently awarded a selection of young native trees by Sainsbury’s and generously offered them to the town council. The council thanked the pre-school and plans to plant the trees in the Willingale Road Nature Reserve near to the boundary with the Willingale Road allotments site to create a new hedge line. A community service team will be asked to assist with the planting and the children of the pre-school will be invited to inspect the trees once the works are completed.
Children's play area
As part of the rolling programme of improvements, the next play area to receive a makeover is the small site in Monksgrove on the Oakwood Hill Estate. Children and parents attending the Noah’s Ark Oakwood toddler group at the Oakwood Hill Estate Community Hall helped choose the new pieces of equipment. Installation will commence shortly depending on the weather.
Job opportunities
To support our existing team of caretakers we are looking for local residents to act as relief caretakers at the Murray Hall in Borders Lane. Duties will include meeting and greeting hirers and ensuring the building meets our high standards of cleanliness. You must be prepared to work unsociable hours and weekends. Contact Services Manager, Paul Hoy at the town council for more information.
Sponsorship opportunities
The council is already in discussion with local businesses to secure sponsorship for key projects. If you operate a business in the town why not offer assistance to your local community through the town council by supporting an event, activity, or project financially or through the provision of products or services. This support will raise the profile of your company and make a real difference to life in Loughton. For more details contact the town clerk on 020 8508 4200.
Audit 2010/11
The Audit Commision has now completed its inspection of the council’s accounts for the last financial year ending 31 March 2011. It has confirmed there were no issues of concern and that all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have been met by the council. A copy of the accounts may be viewed on the council’s website, or on request at the council offices.
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Loughton Town Council : News & Notices
