Apr 12 - Everything Epping Forest

Everything Epping ForestPage 10 of 25FIVE fire crews were called to rescue a man from under a train at Debden Station.Firefighters from Loughton, Epping, Harlow and Woodford were called to the station at7.30am today (Sunday) and worked alongside London Underground's rescue team andambulance service paramedics.The casualty, believed to be in his 40s, was taken to hospital by air ambulance.The emergency services took about 45 minutes to deal with the incident.Loughton Street Pastors scheme launched8.08am - 21st April 2012A STREET Pastors scheme has been launched in Loughton.The initiative was born late one night six years ago when Rev'd Wayne Dulson got so fedup with the noisy music, the shouting crowd and the brawling from nearby pubs and barsin Loughton High Road, that he opened his bedroom window and yelled at them to stop.None of those in the crowd took any notice but it started a chain of events which led toLoughton Street Pastors.Street Pastors is an inter-denominational church response to urban problems, engagingwith people on the streets to care, listen and chat.It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev's Les Isaac, director of the AscensionTrust.The scheme has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas whereteams have been working.There are now some 9,000 trained volunteers and nearly 250 teams around the UK. Inorder to get started each project must have commitment from at least four local churches,the police, local authority and other agencies and funding.Once it is sanctioned by the Ascension Trust, which also provides training, the call goesout to enlist interest from volunteers to make up teams of four people to patrol the streetsoffering practical help and support.They are backed up with a prayer support team of at least three people. Rev'd Dulson,minister at Loughton Baptist Church, had followed up his rant from the window with aproposal to local churches to come together but at the time it was not considered viable.Since then the number of incidents and malicious attacks in Loughton High Roadincreased.Last year Essex Police approached Epping Forest District Council because StreetPastors were working so successfully across Essex.Safer Communities Manager Caroline Wiggins said: "I think it's a brilliant idea. It's quitedistressing to have daughters on the street who have drunk too much."People do silly things and Street Pastors will offer support, water and flip flops, if theyhave fallen off their high heels, and put them in a cab to make sure they get home safely."The Colchester team which came to speak were inspirational and I attended the training.It's true that young people in a drugs or alcoholic state are much more inclined to respectolder and retired people."Funding of £5,000 has been put into the project made up of grants from Essex Police, thedistrict council and Epping Forest Safer Communities Partnership and has paid foruniforms and equipment.When an approach was made to Churches In Loughton it was felt to be the right time andthe idea quickly found favour with six churches.The patrols started on Friday, April 20 following a Commissioning Service at LoughtonBaptist Church. Street Pastor volunteers will patrol Loughton High Road and some nearbystreets on Fridays from 9pm until 2.30am backed up by a prayer team based at thechurch.The scheme supports the'Love Loughton' initiative that started last year, also under theauspices of Churches Together in Loughton, to unite the local community.Loughton Street Pastors out on patrol click hereMS Society branch holds annual meeting8.05am - 21st April 2012GUEST speakers at the annual meeting of the East Herts and West Essex branch of theMS Society were Jamie Spencer, service development officer and Daisy Ellis, seniorpolicy and campaigns officer from the National MS Society.They spoke on the how the challenges of changing Health and Social care provision,together with the new approach to benefit provision will affect people with MS.These will mean people with Multiple Sclerosis will need access to high quality supportfrom a strong and committed local volunteer branch.The meeting was strongly supported by civic leaders including Harlow Council chairmanMike Garnett, Epping Forest District Council chairman Ken Angold-Stephens, UttlesfordDistrict Council vice-chairman Christina Cant, East Herts District Council chairmanSuzanne Rutland-Barsby, Ware Mayoress Diane Warman, Ware town councillor AlanWarman, Bishop's Stortford mayor Allen Burlton, Dunmow mayor Ron Clover andHertford town councillor Peter Ruffles.Branch chairman Brian Surtees strongly emphasised that the branch needs to be aseffective as possible to meet the challenges of providing support.Branch priority is to establish new neuro physiotherapy provision.He stressed the need for volunteers to help support the work and thanked branch officialsfor the progress made over the last year.Volunteer Anita Dailey, of Longbanks, Harlow, received the society's prestigious 'ShiningStar' for the exceptional catering service she has provided for monthly branch socials andannual meetings over 20 years.Anita, who is retiring, was also presented with flowers and a cheque from appreciativebranch members.A further presentation, of £10,000, was made by the branch to the National Societyrepresentatives to support research work into the causes and treatment of MS,particularly at Cambridge University on nerve myelin sheath repair.For more about the work of the branch, ring 07880 828858.Baked beans spillage causes M11 queues8.18pm - 20th April 2012FIREFIGHTERS were called to the southbound M11 near Epping after a lorry spilledbaked beans across the road.Crews from Loughton and Harlow were called to the scene between junctions 7 and 6 atabout 3.30pm today (Friday).An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the incident was a road trafficcollision involving two cars and an HGV lorry which had spilled its consignment of bakedbeans onto the carriageway.A man had to be cut out of one of the cars and was placed in the care of the ambulanceservice.Crews took until about 4.40pm to deal with the incident.Protesters plan anti-supermarket march4.22pm - 20th April 201201/06/2012