Page 1 of 18 Everything Epping Forest 01/02/2010

Everything Epping ForestPage 11 of 18(December 12).He will be signing copies of the sixth and final adventure in the Kernowland series, TheColosseum of Dread, from 1pm.The Epping Bookshop is in the parade of shops next to Tesco..Seating plan for piazza9th December 2009SEATING is to be installed on the piazza in Epping High Street.Epping Town Council is supporting a proposal to put two seats with backs near thefountain. One seat at the edge of the piazza in front of Barclays Bank should be pushedforward, councillors have said.The cost of the seating is set to be met with money in the district council's budgets which isring-fenced for conservation projects.School prepares for concert9th December 2009STUDENTS at St John's School, Epping, have been busy rehearsing for their Christmasconcert on Wednesday, December 16 (7pm).A variety of acts will be performing along with the choir and band who have prepared a mixof popular and Christmas songs.A new feature this year is the St John’s Saxophone Ensemble who will be performing amixture of classical and pop tunes.There will also be a one night only Year 8 Drama Club performance of an original play, MrNaidoo Steals Christmas, which is based on the hugely successful best-selling novel of thesame name.The play tells the story of a maths teacher who kidnaps Santa Claus and tries to stopChristmas taking place. Tickets (£5 for adults, £3 children) are available from the TowerRoad school. Refreshments will be provided.Church gets all wrapped up9th December 2009HELP is at hand if you are fed up wrapping all your Christmas presents.Willing volunteers will be at All Saints Church, Romford Road, Chigwell Row, between10am and noon on Saturday (December 12) wrapping presents - for free!The church will even provide the wrapping paper.Visitors just need to take their presents along. They will also be able to enjoy a drink and amince pie while they wait. All welcome.Gardener scoops award8th December 2009EPPING-based gardening expert and radio presenter Ken Crowther has scooped a mediaaward.The director of Crowther Landscapes and presenter of the BBC Essex 'Gardening Plus'programme received the Local Radio Gardening Broadcast of the Year award at theGarden Media Guild Awards in London.The judges commented that BBC Essex stood out for its location recording and for awonderful selection of guests on a lively and varied show.Segments from an olive farm and from the show's garden showed an ability to 'paintpictures' from locations, giving a strong sense of place while at the same time passing onplenty of sound and useful information to gardeners, whatever their level of experience.'Gardening Plus' is produced by Renee Hockley-Byam and studio produced by Tim Gillett,with support from Annie Blake. Ken and his team saw off strong competition from the restof local radio across the UK.The award was presented by Penny Snell from The National Gardens Scheme.BBC Essex managing editor Gerald Main said: "After 20-plus years of presentinggardening output on BBC Essex Ken has lost none of his passion for the subject or for themedium."Tributes to physiotherapist8th December 2009PHYSIOTHERAPIST David Tatapudi has retired after 35 dedicated years service.Colleagues gathered to wish him well at his retirement today (Tuesday) in the LectureTheatre at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping.Born in India, he graduated from two years’ training at the Christian Medical CollegeHospital in Vellore, Madras with a Diploma in Physiotherapy in 1968.He arrived in the UK in December 1973 and joined St Margaret’s Hospital in January 1974as the result of his one and only UK job application.He worked in the surgical and medical wards and was responsible for the StrokeRehabilitation Unit.By the time his wife and three children joined him in 1975, David - who lives near Ongar -had moved onto Forest Physio Centre, Roebuck Lane, Buckhurst Hill, and was asuperintendent physiotherapist.Next came Rectory Lane Health Centre in Loughton in June 1997 where he stayed untilretiring as team leader.In 2001, came a study tour to China to expand his acupuncture skills.David is now holder of an Advanced Certificate in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture.He has kept strong links with his home area of India which he has regularly visited, sharinghis knowledge, skills and means to benefit patients there too.His achievements include personally funding 12 cataract operations as well as providingspecially adapted tricycles and crutches for others in need. He is as well known in westEssex, as in his home area of India.Assistant director of children's services at West Essex Community Health Services TeresaMorgan, paid tribute to his fantastic achievements on both continents and for alwaysputting patients first.She said: "It’s been our privilege to work with such a genuine, kind person."Anniversary of New Horizons8th December 2009ABOUT 100 people gathered at Epping Hall, Epping, to celebrate the 25th anniversary ofNew Horizons, the district council’s popular 50+ leisure scheme.It provides a host of activities and opportunities for the over-50s encouraging them to beactive through sport, dancing and the ever-popular ‘Stepping Out Club’, which providestwo trips per month to stately homes, gardens and other places of interest.The celebration event, organised by the council’s sports and health development section,01/02/2010