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British Red Cross
The British Red Cross Cross is appealing for volunteers to help to run a new home from hospital service. The service is to be based at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping. The service will help patients discharged from St Margaret’s and Ongar War Memorial Hospitals settle in back home.
'Volunteers will help them regain their independence and listen, give companionship and help them get in touch with other services', said Geraldine Spearman, Service Manager for Essex. She added: 'Going home after a stay in hospital is not always easy. Recovering from an operation or an illness can turn everyday tasks, such as shopping or picking up medication, into impossible challenges.' Service hours are flexible and can be fitted around each volunteer’s time schedule. No experience is necessary, as full training will be provided. For details, call Geraldine on 01245 291019.
The next series of First Aid courses has now been arranged to enable members of the public to gain vital first aid skills, helping them cope in emergency and accident situations.
For full details of these courses and other Red Cross services please ring 020 8508 2162 during office hours (weekdays 10.30am to 12.30pm except Tuesday).
Community Governors
You don't have to be an expert to help your school by becoming a governor - what's needed is an interest in the school and common sense. Schools now have to have "community governors" as well as parent governors, staff governors and governors appointed by the Local Education Authority. As the name suggests, community governors are drawn from the local community.and are there to bring the wider community into the school. To find out more, contact your local school.
Being a school governor (infants, juniors or secondary) is an interesting way of contributing to your local community.
For more details contact David Linnell on 020 8508 2932 or email him at davidlinnell@tiscali.co.uk.
Epping Forest Field Centre
The Epping Forest Field Centre is the Field Studies Council's (FSC) first purpose-built day Centre.
Established by the Corporation of London in 1970, the European Year of Conservation, the Centre is managed by the FSC on behalf of the Corporation. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) the Forest is nationally important for its wildlife.
Habitats include woodland, grassland, heathland, marshes, ponds and streams. The Forest’s past use as a woodland pasture and its long history of recreation provision have left many signs of human influence. This, and the Forest’s close proximity to urban and rural settlements, and to the Green Belt, make it an exciting place to study for any age group.
The FSC offers leisure and professional training courses covering virtually every aspect of learning about the countryside, its wildlife and the environment.
Epping Forest & Harlow Stop Smoking Team
Do you want to stop smoking? Do you know anyone who would like to stop
smoking?
Call the Epping Forest & Harlow Stop Smoking Team on 01279
827866 for information on your free local stop smoking service.
Epping-Ongar Railway
Epping-Ongar Railway runs trains every Sunday, on the hour, from 11am until 3pm from Ongar and 11.35am until 3.35pm from North Weald. For those without transport, a vintage bus will pick up passengers from Epping Station. It departs 11am until 3pm and North Weald from 11.30am until 3.30pm.
Latest news: the volunteers have now extended the line as far as Coopersale, and although there is no station there, the extra journey extends the ride.
For more details or to volunteer, visit Epping Ongar Railway Volunteers Society's website at http://eorailway.co.uk/
Volunteers needed
The railway has been two years in the preparation and we are delighted to have a service for the local population, albeit only at the moment on Sundays.
We are making significant steps not only to provide a train service locally, but also to encourage tourists into this part of Essex, which is not only good for us but also the local economy.
With only a hard core of some 20 working volunteer members amongst our continually growing membership, you can understand our eagerness to increase our numbers of volunteers. Can you help?
Not everyone would have to spend every Sunday at the railway and perform duties such as permanent way workers, station master, porter, guard, drive etc., unless you want to, of course. There are a number of jobs that can be done from the comfort of your own home such as marketing, fund raising, public relations etc.
For more information contact: Malcolm Hills on 07879 401148
Essex Crimebeat
Essex Crimebeat supports young people getting involved with crime reduction activities, in a bid to create safer communities. It is the charity of the Shrievalty Association, the Association of High Sheriffs of England and Wales. The High Sheriff of Essex Jennifer Tolhurst is firmly behind the scheme and wants to help young people make their own communities safer, so that Essex Crimebeat, and the engagement of young people, is synonymous with reducing crime and maintaining community safety.
Each local Crimebeat scheme encourages groups of young people to develop their ideas on crime reduction and turn them into successful projects. A large number of young people have become involved in these projects and they in turn pass on benefits of their work to their peers and the wider community, solving problems that matter to them in their communities through Crimebeat initiatives. The Crimebeat scheme has made numerous grants to help groups of young people apply their own ideas about tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. These young people, aged between eight and 25 years of age have inspired and delighted their communities through innovative projects and have promoted safer, more tolerant neighbourhoods.
If you are aged between eight and 25, why don’t you get together to decide what needs to be done to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in your area, your way! We’ll even give you up to £750 towards it. Call 01245 356018 for further information and to obtain an application pack.
Library Service
Library Service
There are two libraries in Loughton, run by Essex County Council:-
Loughton Library in Traps Hill, and Debden Library, just inside Epping Forest College in Borders Lane.
Both libraries provide a wide range of services including a self service system, free computer use, audio books, photocopier, Baby & Toddler times, Reading Groups, as well as a great selection of books for all ages.
Opening times are:-
Loughton Library Mon – Sat 9.00 – 5.00
Debden Library Tues and Thurs 1.00 – 5.00, Fri and Sat 9.00 – 1.00
For Renewals and Library Enquiries, please ring: 0845 603 7628
Contact: Loughton.library@essex.gov.uk and Debden.library@essex.gov.uk
Or check online at www.essex.gov.uk
Lifeboats
The Woodford branch of Lifeboats is a fundraising branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
All sums they raise go toward the £119m it currently costs to operate the Lifeboat service
around the coastline and on certain inland waters.
Many people do not know that Lifeboats provide 24-hour cover on the River Thames and
that our closest RNLI Station is at Tower Pier.
This is in fact the busiest station in the entire RNLI and responded to some 400 call-outs
last year. The RNLI receives no state funding and the entire cost is met by voluntary
contributions.
In 2003, Lifeboats launched on service an unprecedented 8109 times, rescuing 7,987 people - an average of 22 every day. Like most lifeboat crews, members of the local branch are all volunteers and their committee members have served for periods between 10 and nearly 28 years, a fact
marked by the award of two gold badges, one silver, two bronze and two statuettes to
various committee members.
Although it is very difficult to recruit new helpers, the RNLI is fortunate still to be able to call on a small band of helpers to assist at the events they organise and a slightly larger
number who each year brave the elements to help with the Lifeboat Week Collection.
events such as the Police Show at Chigwell and the Rotary Classic Car Show.
More volunteers are needed and would be most welcome!
Lifeboats have a ‘fleet’ of collecting boxes in shops and public houses in Loughton and
would be most grateful for new venues.
In addition, Mrs Mothew, the Loughton area Box Secretary runs a stamp project to raise
funds from the sale of British Commemorative (for example, not ordinary 1st or 2nd class)
and foreign postage stamps.
Any donated stamps would be gratefully received and these can be sent to Mrs Mothew, 7
Ashfields, Loughton, Essex IG10 1SB.
Loughton Blind Club
The recently formed Loughton Blind Club invites more new members.
The club is for older visually impaired people who live in Loughton and the surrounding area. At the moment it meets on the second Wednesday of each month in St Edmund’s Catholic Church Hall in Traps Hill from 2 to 4pm. Members have tea and cakes, chat and some entertainment – but most importantly they have the chance to meet other people with similar problems and to support and encourage each other. If members need any special equipment to help cope with their sight problems volunteers are on hand to help – backed up by Essex Blind Charity’s Resource Centre in Loughton library.
The organisers of the club know that transport can be a problem so if someone really cannot get to the hall independently there is usually someone who can pick them up and take them home.
It may be a long time since you went somewhere independently, so if you want your husband or wife or friend to go with you to begin with that’s fine. The club is sure that you’ll soon feel at home and will be happy to go on your own – everybody is really very friendly.
Please pass the message on about the club – your friends or neighbours or relatives may have sight problems – everybody will be very welcome. If you know of anyone who could help at the club let them know too – maybe they make delicious cakes, or can drive members to and from the club, or even provide entertainment.
If you want to know more please phone Carole McNeil, 020 8502 0069, Margaret Croft 020 8504 7069 or Susan Mann 020 8559 7379 – they will be happy to help.
Loughton British Legion
Most people will have heard of the British Legion, mainly because of Poppy Day and the Remembrance Service at the Royal Albert Hall, but may not know what the legion is or does.
If you have an impression that it is full of old service men sitting round tables regaling yarns of battles past, or that you must have been in the services to become a member, then both of these are way off the mark. Indeed today only a quarter of our members were ever in the forces.
The Loughton British Legion is a vibrant club hosting activities every night of the week. These include regular nights of bingo, line dancing, ballroom and Latin American dancing and quiz nights. Throughout the year we also have Saturday spectaculars of themed entertainment or tribute acts, not to mention probably the cheapest bar in Loughton! Additionally you can enquire about hiring our hall for your special function.
We are always looking for new members, so if you are interested please come along and talk to someone. If you are aged between 12 and 18, then you can join as a youth member, but those of 16 years and above can opt to become full members.
The main purpose of the branch, however, is of course fundraising, both for the Poppy Appeal and for our Veterans and Amenities fund. The veterans fund provides support for ex-service personnel and their families so if you know of anyone you think could use our help please contact the legion on the number below.
For more information visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ or telephone 020 8508 5044.
Loughton Lions Talking Newspaper
Loughton Lions Talking Newspaper was launched by Loughton Lions Club in 1976.
Members of the club read the local Guardian newspaper onto a C60 tape, keeping the master;
which is then reproduced onto tapes and sent to their blind, partially sighted or physically
disabled members.
This service is mostly provided in the Epping Forest district, although a few tapes
are sent further afield when a recipient moves away, but wants to keep in touch with
local news.
On average, around 55 tapes are sent out each week.
The Lions carry out this work on Thursday afternoon/evening when the Guardian comes out.
Their ‘studio’ is at Debden Library where they have a wonderful relationship with the
very helpful staff.
John Wickens, a Lion member, organises and arranges the service.
He has a super group of local people who give of their time - seven readers and eight on the
production.
The tapes are put into yellow plastic envelopes and delivered free of charge by the postal
service. No charge is made to the recipients.
All monies required are raised by the Lions Club of Loughton, although they did receive a
grant from Epping Forest District Council.
Anyone interested in receiving this tape on a weekly basis should contact John Wickens on 020 8508 1820.
Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve
Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve is a site of special scientific interest.
It is the largest surviving area of traditional flood-plain/river valley grassland in Essex.
It comprises of flora rich meadows and pastures bounded by numerous hedgerows, with
small stands of natural scrub and woodland, as well as areas of broad leafed plantation.
Small ponds, wet ditches and side streams provide additional habitat diversity.
Essex Wildlife Trust has managed this 158 acre important site, which is approximately one mile long, since it was established in 1986.
It stretches from Chigwell Lane in the north to Roding Lane in the south, running alongside the M11.
The reserve is so big, it sits in the three parishes of Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell and Loughton.
The old parish boundaries of the Enclosures Acts of the mid 18th century are still clearly
visible.
The river Roding forms an important feature which shapes the reserve.
The banks burst to life in the spring with otters, water voles and kingfishers, and winter rain
brings great flooding and rich silty water covers the meadows.
In the summer months, a crop of organic hay is taken from the fields to sell to local stables in
the district.
During the winter aftermath, the UK’s oldest breed of cattle, the English Longhorns, grazes
here.
Take care when on the reserve as it has uneven ground, muddy slopes and cow pats to navigate around. Also, respect other users by keeping your dogs under control.
Please inform the warden when motorbikes are on the reserve as this is a prosecutable
offence. Please also remember that the nature reserve warden does not cover the lake or
recreation ground.
With a full-time warden on site, one dedicated voluntary warden and a team of enthusiastic practical conservation volunteers, the site is well maintained as a wildlife sanctuary. It is friendly, welcoming and, most importantly, a safe place to visit if you want to enjoy a peaceful
time.
The reserve has an award winning track for wheelchairs and has won the Green Flag Award (like the Blue Flag Award for clean beaches).
Rotary Club
Have you just moved to the area? Have you just retired from work and need a new interest?
Do you want a new group of friends? Does your business want to help in the local community?
Then, perhaps you might consider joining Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Loughton and Buckhurst Hill received its Charter in 1936 and has been
serving the local community for nearly 70 years.
We collect at Sainsbury’s and at Waitrose for funds for charities at Christmas time.
With the help of the E15 Acting School who gave us an Old Time Musical Performance, we
were able to contribute to the Tsunami Appeal. We have organised a quiz and we support
Debden Day. Free Blood Pressure Tests are offered to support Stroke Awareness Day.
Rotary has many youth activities and we keep local schools informed and encourage them to take part. A team from Roding Valley High School will take part in the final of our Young Chef Competition at Westminster College.
We plan to hold an Antiques Fayre when members of the public will be able to have items valued.
Above all, we meet each week, have regular social functions and enjoy each other’s company.
However, our numbers are dwindling and we are becoming an older group. If we are to
continue our work and widen our activities, we do need new members.
If you or a group of friends would like to meet once a week at lunch-time between 1.00 and
2.00pm, make new friends, locally, across London and across the world, while helping
in the local community, please contact us and come to find out more about Rotary
International.
Rotary membership is open to men and women and our meetings take place at the ‘Old Chigwellians’ Club, Roding Lane, Chigwell each Thursday.
For more information contact Dr John Kennedy on 020 8504 6367; Roland Smith on 020 8500 6910 or Myra Williams on 020 8508 6204. Do phone if you want to learn more. We would welcome you
and we really do need new members.
WEA Classes
The Workers’ Educational Association Eastern Region is a national association organised in regions and branches.
The national association is over a century old, and the Loughton and Epping branch is over 40 years old.
Branches are run by volunteers elected by the students. The WEA is non-sectarian and non-political, and all are welcome regardless of age or educational attainment.
The association studies over a 20-week period from October to Easter and in some subjects for
six weeks post-Easter.
It has a strong programme of field trips and summer cultural visits and, until recently, a day
school programme at Wansfell College.
Seven classes are held at various venues - mainly church or council buildings. Fees are
calculated to allow for tutors’ salaries and branch expenses.
Tutors are appointed regionally and are well-qualified in their subjects.
Currently, the WEA has history classes - ancient and modern; drama appreciation; literature
and ecology.
All are well supported and cover subjects nominated by students, and negotiated with tutors.
The WEA’s aims to provide quality and enjoyment in classes.
Students record their own rate of progress and, in the case of the two Essex University classes, have the option to work for points towards their own educational aims.
If the association cannot provide the subject of your choice, there are numerous other classes run by branches in nearby London suburbs and south west Essex.
Brochures showing dates for the classes are available in local libraries and book shops.
For details and course availability, please call 020 8508 3183.
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Loughton Communicate