Chigwell Row Community

A mysteriously dumped caravan with its contents strewn across the road and adjacent fields along the busy thorougfare of Romford Road, Chigwell is expected to cause huge traffic problem later this evening. As revellers begin their descent upon Hainault Forest Country Park to rave at 'Halloween Fest', the main traffic artery that will lead to the event has been partially blocked by a disused caravan. The caravan has been reported to police and Redbridge Council by Wilson Chowdhry and duly at around 12pm a police car arrived at the scene to inspect the mobile unit and road.  Hours later (5.30pm) the caravan is still in place with detritus from it still littering the road and fields, however traffic warning signs and barriers have been placed around it. Already as traffic builds up around the Festival entrance many cones can seen along the road, intended to divide festival entrants from passing traffic.  However, without any signs explaining why the cones are in the roa...

Residents of Chigwell have been placing themselves at risk when driving along Gravel Road whilst driving past a tree with a dangling black tarpaulin. For over a month drivers have been complaining about the dangerous material, which seemed to be hanging by a thin thread from an equally lean branch. With weather warnings pointing towards more severe winds local resident Wilson Chowdhry reported the safety threat to Epping Forest District Council on Wednesday 23rd October 2019. An officer confirmed the tarpaulin would be removed and on Friday 25th October the dangerous item was removed from a tree near the Lambourne Road junction. Wilson Chowdhry, said: "I am surprised the tarpualin was allowed to remain in the tree for so long considering the serious safety concern it posed. "The material was large enough in length to engulf a small car and would have removed vision for drivers of any vehicle it dropped on. "The council seemed surprised when I informed t...

A campaign to establish a more focused approach to a safer culture towards events being held at Hainault forest and Park has been initiated by local Chigwell Row residents. Concerns have been raised about the increase of crime and antisocial behaviour at both the events and during the spill out into our local community after completion of each evening of an event. Last year a knife crime incident at Garage Nation Festival saw the stabbing of four people: https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/crime-court/hainault-stabbings-police-appeal-after-four-men-stabbed-at-garage-nation-festival-hainault-forest-country-park-1-5586026 This year after both the Moon and Sundance Festival and Garage Nation Festival roads became congested before and after the event.  Local police vans blocked Romford Road as they dealt with numerous antisocial behaviour issues. Local residents reported tents being pitched up on the grassy banks either side of Romford Road.  Street barbecues and ...

Epping Forest District Council’s Community, Culture and Wellbeing team are developing a cultural strategy for the Epping Forest District to review and support current provision. To help with this we welcome your response to this short survey. All responses are anonymous, and it should take less than 5 minutes to complete. The survey can be completed via this word document (ticking or mark responses with an X), or completed online via https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CWVNRTZ by end of November 2019.

Are you dealing with debt or do you need help with budgeting? Are you struggling with violence or abuse at home or work? Are things starting to get you down or do you simply want some lifestyle support? For whatever problems you are facing a multi-agency centre will be running during the first Wednesday of every month at Loughton Job Centre Plus.   I attach a poster for your perusal.

There are three wonderful workshops that draw from our wonderful Victorian heritage.  Lots of fun for adults and children.  I have listed them for you but they are at diferent venues around our district of Epping.  There is a cost for attendance so please do click the links for more details and to book your place as spaces go fast. Tuesday 12th November 2019 - Adults' Victorian Book Craft Decoration Workshop: https://eppingforestdc.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/231 Tuesday 27th November 2019 - Adults' Victorian Garland Making Workshop https://eppingforestdc.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/278 Thursday 5th December 2019 - Adults' Victorian Christmas Wreath Making & Floral Workshop

If you know of a young person worthly of being recognised for their contribution to the Epping Forest Community, why not nominate them for a prestigious Young Citizens Award? Nominations are open for the  young citizen of the year award 2020 . The young citizen of the year award is for young people aged 11-18, in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the Epping Forest community. Tell us how you know them and how have they made a difference in our community. Nominees must: Be aged 11-18 Live in the Epping Forest district  Nominate your young citizen of the year Deadline for applications is Friday 29 November 2019. The award will be presented at our Civic Awards ceremony on 20 March 2020 at the Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey where the winner will receive their certificate and a cheque for £300. If you want to know more or would like a nomination form, please contact Paula Dunley, youth engagement assistant: Email p...

By Hannah Chowdhry Hundreds of people - most of them children and youth - joined a march to 'Save our Libraries' in Colchester on Saturday (27th April), to thwart Essex County Council proposals to terminate 25of its 74 libraries and to make a further 26 volunteer-operated. Young protestors had fun creating boards at a workshop from 11:30 in the morning at the Colchester Town House before starting their 1 mile march from Colchester Library to Firstsite. While walking chants of  'No ifs, no buts, no Essex Library cuts', could be heard. At the end of the protest a bagpiper and Scottish dancers entertained participants while an African drum group played some rythmical beats.  In between the party atmosphere I was asked to talk about why I had travelled all the way from Chigwell to Colchester to take part in the march.  You can see a video here: Essex County Concil have claimed that usage of libraries has reduced by 40% over the last ten years but...