May 10 - Everything Epping Forest

Everything Epping ForestPage 12 of 18unsupported and isolated.For further details, ring 01277 366266.Council seeks floral competition entries11th May 2010WALTHAM Abbey Town Council has launched its Waltham Abbey in Bloom competition.Now in its sixth year, Waltham Abbey in Bloom is open to all green-fingered residents,schools and businesses.The competition covers the whole of the parish and includes Waltham Abbey, Holyfield,Upshire, High Beech and Sewardstone.New this year, people can nominate a neighbour, friend or just an address that they thinkis worthy of an entry in the Best Front Garden categories.Town council recreation and amenities manager Ken Coates said: "There are 15categories and an easy tick box form to complete to submit your entry. These must besubmitted by June 30."Judging will take place during the last two weeks of July with an awards presentationevening at the town hall on Friday, September 17.Entries should be sent to Waltham Abbey Town Hall, Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey,EN9 1DE.Nomination forms can be collected from various places throughout the town, including thetown hall and tourist information centre.New U3A group launched10th May 2010A UNIVERSITY of the Third Age group for The Rodings and surrounding areas has beenofficially launched.A spokesperson for the University of the Third Age was delighted by the number of peoplewho turned up at Aythorpe Roding Village Hall for the public launch meeting last week.Impressed by the excellent organisation which had gone into the meeting and by theenthusiasm shown by those present, Third Age trust education and development officerZazia Pratt said she agreed that a local branch should be set up.Publicity had attracted about 100 people to the meeting, many more than organisers hadexpected.After presentations by the group co-ordinator for Harlow U3A and the treasurer ofChelmsford U3A those present showed support for the steering group to apply formembership of the Third Age Trust.Residents are keen to sign up as members of interest groups ranging from art and walkingto bridge, computers and theatre outings.Several people have already offered to lead a group and more are expected.There will an inaugural meeting on June 1, and groups will be able to start meeting assoon as registration with the Third Age Trust is complete.For more details about The Rodings U3A ring chairman Thea Boshier on 01245 231032 oremail theaboshier@yahoo.co.ukBrave pair praised over pilot rescue10th May 2010THE two people in the car which was struck by a plane as it came in to land at NorthWeald airfield have been praised for their courage in rescuing the pilot as the plane burstinto flames.The pair were driving round the perimeter track when the twin-seater AT-3 plane crashedinto the brand new Volvo car near The Squadron yesterday afternoon (Sunday).The pilot was helped from the wreckage by the two occupants of the car before volunteersfrom the North Weald Fire and Rescue Services arrived to put out a fire. Emergencyservices were called by airfield operations staff within moments of the accident and arrivedwithin a few minutes.The pilot was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The occupants of the car sustained nomajor injuries.Both the car and plane were badly damaged but it is believed that no life-threateninginjuries were sustained by the pilot in the accident.The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the Civil Aviation Authority will carry out aninvestigation into the cause of the accident. Epping Forest District Council, which owns theairfield, said investigators have given permission for the aircraft to be moved.They are expected to visit the scene as part of the investigation in the next few days.Deputy council leader Chris Whitbread said: "I would like to wish the pilot well. I would alsolike to thank the council staff, the volunteers of North Weald Fire and Rescue Services andthe regular emergency services."Most of all, I would like to congratulate the two occupants of the car involved who actedwith great presence of mind and courage in dramatic circumstances."Mr Whitbread added: "We will have to wait for the AAIB to establish the cause and we willthen take a look at our own procedures to see if there is anything we can learn."Right now it does appear that the airfield coped very well with the accident."Investigation into Minx bar blaze10th May 2010AN investigation will be carried out following a fire at the Minx bar in Loughton.The blaze broke out in the High Road premises at 2am today. Two Loughton fire crewstook an hour to deal with the incident.Crews reported that smoke was coming from the front and rear of the three-storey buildingwhen they arrived.Firefighters had to use breaking in gear to gain access to the building. Then firefighterswearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel to tackle the fire.The property was heavily smoke logged and crews used a high pressure fan to clearsmoke.A joint police and fire investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire.Pilot injured as plane crashes into car9th May 2010A PILOT was injured when his plane crashed into a moving car and burst into flames as hecame in to land at North Weald airfield.Two people in the brand new Volvo car got the pilot to safety as the car and plane burstinto flames.An eyewitness has said the plane had made one attempt to land but took off again,banking over a hangar before making a second attempt.The two-seater. single engine AT3 hit the car which was leaving the airfield shortly before2.30pm today.Fire crews from Epping, Ongar and Harlow worked with the airfield's volunteer fire crew to01/07/2010