Oct 10 - Everything Epping Forest

Everything Epping ForestPage 11 of 20take a few days for furniture to be viewed and collected so to avoid disappointment, weask donors to give us as much notice as possible when offering donations of furniture."For more details about donating furniture to the hospice's shops, what safety regulationsfurniture has to comply with and how to Gift Aid donations, emailshops@stclarehospice.org.uk, ring the St Clare retail office on 01279 773732 or 773734,or the distribution team on 01279 639752.BBC talk at probus club17th October 2010FORMER BBC political correspondent Brian Curtois was the guest speaker at the lastEpping Probus Club meeting.He spoke about some memorable moments reporting for the BBC. Mr Curtois had startedhis career with local papers in Hornchurch, Ilford and Nottingham, then joined a pressagency and finally became the BBC's political correspondent.He spoke about his interviews with celebrities including Cassius Clay, Bruce Forsyth andTerry Wogan and the many news stories he had covered about Prime Ministers from TedHeath to Margaret Thatcher, the latter where he had experienced a "hand bagging" (verbalinquisition) from the lady.He had also interviewed, in their early days, Kenneth Clark, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown andDavid Cameron.His memorable moments of news coverage included the great Harrison Gibson Fire atIlford which destroyed two large shops, and the Brighton bombing at the Conservativeconference where the TV crews provided the lighting to help free Government MinsterNorman Tebbit and his wife from the debris of the hotel,The next meeting is on Wednesday, November 10 when Alan Dowsett will talk about theForth Bridge.The club has some vacancies for retired or semi-retired men.For more details, ring secretary Peter Francis on 01992 573188.Burial park holding open day16th October 2010FREE outdoor family fun has been lined up at a North Weald open day later this month.Epping Forest Burial Park is inviting families to visit the 52-acre woodland on Saturday,October 30 (from 9.30am), when activities will include heavy horse logging, conservationprojects, a falconry display, woodland crafts and children’s activities.Park manager Carmen Daniels said: "It’s a great opportunity to get out into the fresh airand have fun exploring the woodland."The heavy horses and falcons are always popular, so we’re expecting lots of visitors."Those keen to get their hands dirty are being urged to sign up for coppicing, treetransplanting and hazel fence construction - activities being led by park staff and EppingForest Conservation Volunteers to mark National Make A Difference Day, which will runalongside open day activities.An award-winning green cemetery, Epping Forest Burial Park is open 365 days a year withvisitors always welcome - whether they want to enjoy a woodland walk, visit a loved one orfind out more about funerals.Last month the park received further recognition of its high standards when it was named awinner in the 2010 Essex Business Excellence Awards.For more details, ring 01992 523863 or visit www.woodlandburialparks.co.ukHalloween campaign launched16th October 2010A CAMPAIGN has been launched to offer reassurance to Waltham Abbey residents overthe Halloween and Bonfire Night periods.The 'Bang out of Order' campaign has been set up to reduce criminal damage and antisocialbehaviour.The Safer Communities Partnership initiative brings together staff from Epping ForestDistrict Council’s community development Team, Essex Police, Essex Fire and RescueService and Trading Standards.The campaign, which is launched on Monday (October 18), runs until October 29. All juniorschools in Waltham Abbey are receiving 'Be Safer' Trick or Treating talks and crucialfirework safety information.Shop keepers will be visited in a bid to avoid large amounts of flour and eggs being sold toyoung people at this time.Additionally, extra activities will be provided for young people during half-term.On Tuesday, October 26, the `Bang out of Order` campaign will have a stall outside Tescoin Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey between 10am and noon where advice, postersand goodies will be available.Apples galore at Copped Hall15th October 2010CROWDS descended on Copped Hall, Epping, for the annual Apple Day.More than 2,000 visitors are estimated to have attended the event which featured applesof many varieties, which were on display and available for purchase.Members of the East of England Apples and Orchards Project gave advice on thecultivation of orchards and the growing of some 250 varieties of apple.The many 'garden party' attractions included countryside features with shire horses, livepoultry, ferret management, lace making, woodcrafts, haberdashery and a straw balecastle for children to climb when not involved in "apple games".Music was provided by the Bow Creek Folk Group, piano accordionist ChristineBeetlestone, and pianists Norman Lansdowne-Davis and Trevor Roberts who both playedthe Broadwood piano in the saloon.Refreshments were available from a large refreshment tent, a beer tent manned by DaveKaraskas, cakes and teas in the racquets court organised by Margaret Gervis, adelicatessen stall, hot dogs and burgers from the Epping Church’s butchers and an icecream van.Other attractions included the North Weald Airfield Museum, the Copped Hall Rolls Royce,the Epping Forest Conservators and other organisations.Stewards were on hand in the mansion where a new feature was the work underway torestore the lift, which was one of the first to be installed in a stately home.Also of interest were the archaeological excavations at the site of the former TudorMansion and, especially, the new archaeological room in the Victorian Wing where thearchaeologists involved described the nature of the work and displayed some interestingdiscoveries.The walled, rock and long gardens were much appreciated by the many who visited themand purchased home-grown produce.The proceeds totalled £16,000 - which will be used to help with the restoration work - arecord for a single Copped Hall event.02/12/2010