Annual Town Meeting 2026

Published: 07 April 2026

PRESS RELEASE

Annual Town Meeting

Residents were invited to the Annual Town Meeting at 8pm on Wednesday18 March 2026, in The Murray Hall, at 106 Borders Lane, Loughton IG10 3SB.

Displays were set up by local community groups, organisations and charities that were successful with their grant applications, allowing residents an opportunity to view before the formal meeting commenced at 8pm.

The meeting agenda followed the usual format with reports from the Town Mayor and Chairmen from the Town Council Committees about the Council’s activities and achievements during the past year and its on-going plans.

Cllr David Wixley, Loughton,Town Mayor presented the award to the Citizen of the Year, Ian Thomas, recognising his dedication and voluntary work for the Loughton Community. The Town Mayor highlighted “Ian’s enormous contribution to the Air Ambulance Service, and volunteering with Loughton Voluntary Care, he always goes that extra mile to deliver a wonderful service to all the voluntary organisations he is involved with’.

Elizabeth Knapman was announced as Young Citizen of the Year, in recognition of her voluntary work as a sports coach at Davenant School and Loughton Athletics Club and playing a key role delivering community youth activities with Loughton Methodist Church Holiday Club and Youth Club. Lizzie is an excellent role model and encourages young people to get involved; she has a natural ability to make everyone feel included and valued. Lizzie inspires other young people to volunteer too.

Ian will keep the presented Rose Bowl for the first six months of the year, and Lizzie will hold it for the remaining six months. Both recipients also received an engraved glass plaque to keep along with an illuminated scroll and a cheque in the sum of £250 to their chosen charities.

Special Certificates of Recognition was also presented by the Town Mayor to Barry Rudderford and Jamie Hardy, employees of Terra Verde Services, for their dedication and friendly manner while carrying out street-cleaning duties in Loughton.

Representatives from local groups, organisations and charities that were successful in their grant applications received certificates to mark their achievement. In total the Town Council presented £42,339.99 to Community Groups in Loughton, helping very worthy local causes.

For more information contact: Mark Squire (Town Clerk)

Tel: 020 8508 4200

Date: 19 March 2026

 [L-R: Ian Thomas, Citizen of the Year, Loughton Town Mayor, Cllr David Wixley and Elizabeth Knapman, Young Citizen of the Year.

Photo of representatives for all organisations and groups receiving financial assistance from Loughton Town Council for 2026-2027.  Town Mayor, Cllr David Wixley is standing in the centre with the large cheque showing total monies awarded (£42,339.99) for this year.