May 13 - Everything Epping Forest

Everything Epping ForestPage 11 of 23remove regulatory barriers.He added that the Department works with colleagues in the EU to support fruit and vegetable producersthrough reform of the common agricultural policy, the general marketing standards and the fruit and vegetableproducer organisation scheme."The Government supports and encourages innovative approaches to growing through research anddevelopment, the agri-tech strategy and the green food project,"Mr Benyon added. Mr Halfon highlighted the fact that the Roydon and Nazeing area has the highestconcentration of cucumber and pepper growers in the UK and called on Mr Benyon to support "the excellentLea Valley Growers Association and suggest how we can help it to expand".He also invited Mr Benyon to meet with him and the association to discuss the issues.Mr Benyon praised Mr Halfon for his commitment to the local growing businesses.He added: "He (Mr Halfon) is a stalwart supporter of them. We want them to expand, not only for the local jobsthat would create, but for our food security."That is why, for example, we have done combined horticultural production and energy research to try to assistcompanies such as those in his constituency with the energy they use, which is a big outgoing - and why wehave an agri-tech strategy, drawing together engineering skills, research and development, and genotyping totry to reduce costs, using the fantastic innovation we have around the country."I am happy to consult him to see what more we can do to help specific growers in his constituency, who do afantastic job."PICTURES: New Epping mayor elected9.33pm - 14th May 2013EPPING Town Council has elected councillor Will Breare-Hall as the new Epping mayor.Mr Breare-Hall, who moved to Epping 14 years ago after finishing university in London, said it was a "greathonour" and also "humbling and exciting" to have been elected as the 40th person to hold the position sincethe town council was formed in 1973.He said: "All of us have our own reasons for loving Epping. Epping has its own distinct character and charm. Itis the people that make Epping so special. It has a great sense of community. It's a jewel in Essex's crown."Mr Breare-Hall highlighted a number of his priorities for the coming year and said he wanted to work with thelocal business community and the Epping Town Centre Partnership throughout the year and was lookingforward to the Epping Festival."I know I have an excellent group of councillors with which to work. I pledge to serve you with humility and tothe best of my ability."Outgoing mayor Jon Whitehouse said that despite the weather which had plagued a number of events he hadattended - and which forced the cancellation of last year's Epping Town Show - he had experienced a"fantastic" year.He particularly appreciated the opportunity to see the work of the many local organisations and which includedpeople of all ages. "It has been a joy to meet so many people," he told the annual council meeting on Tuesday(May 14).Councillor Barbara Scruton was elected the new deputy mayor.A cake decorated with the Epping Town Council badge was made by councillor Janet Hedges to mark themayor-making meeting.To see a slideshow of pictures from the meeting click hereMourning ring to go on display6.25pm - 14th May 2013A 17th Century mourning ring found in a Chigwell field will soon be on display at Epping Forest DistrictMuseum.The finger-ring discovered by metal detectorist Richard Joynson and reported under the Treasure Act 1996has been purchased by the museum with help from Chigwell Parish Council and Loughton and DistrictHistorical Society.It is made of gold with little external decoration. A clear ridge runs around the centre and it would originallyhave been covered with black enamel, only traces of which remain. Inside is inscribed the message 'You mustfollow G : M Aug 29 - 57'.The date is interpreted as 29 August 1657 (the first two digits of the year were usually omitted at this time). G :M may be the initials of the deceased person in whose memory the ring was made.Mourning jewellery was often bequeathed by rich or important people to family, friends and supporters.Sometimes it demonstrated political allegiance, or the family's wealth, as much as expressing personal grief.The motto 'You must follow' is in the tradition of Memento Mori.These keepsakes were produced from medieval times to the nineteenth century but particularly during periodsof war or epidemic.They served the dual purpose of commemorating the dead and reminding the bereaved of their own mortality.The date and style of this ring place it firmly in Oliver Cromwell's time as Lord Protector of the Commonwealthof England, Scotland and Ireland.It displays the puritan aesthetic of the age when 'glitz 'and 'bling' were generally out of favour.This is only the second mourning ring known from the district and will be displayed at the Museum in SunStreet, Waltham Abbey from May 18-August 31 as part of 'The Tudors and Early Stuarts' exhibition.The ring PICTUREEducation role for county councillor12.45pm - 14th May 2013BUCKHURST Hill and Loughton South county councillor Valerie Metcalfe has retained her role as deputycabinet member for Education and Lifelong Learning on Essex County Council.The newly-announced county council cabinet has agreed to implement a voluntary three per cent cut inallowances for cabinet members to be implemented immediately.New leader David Finch said there is a need for a renewed drive around three areas: education and skills,employment and entrepreneurship, and economy and infrastructure to show that Essex is good for business.He said: "As the leader of Essex County Council, I have outlined today a vision that recognises the starkchallenges we face as well as the opportunities we will grasp to embrace the sort of innovation that leads toprosperity for hard-working people across Essex."The next four years will require difficult decisions and as a sign of our commitment to a new contract with thepeople of Essex my Cabinet and I will immediately reduce our allowances as a contribution to the savings wewill need to make."We will face tough choices in the years to come caused by the austerity which the UK is still experiencing. Butwe will also take whatever opportunities we can to resolve the future of social care for future generations,support local economic growth, deliver smarter services and invest in our education and infrastructure. If wecan do that, I believe that Essex's best days are ahead of us."PICTURES: MP hosts business forum reception11.24pm - 13th May 2013EPPING Forest MP Eleanor Laing this evening hosted a reception at the House of Commons for the EppingForest Business Forum.Guest speaker was the former Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Stephen O'Brien.For a slideshow of pictures click hereWarning after spate of heating oil thefts01/07/2013