Chigwell Row Community

Large lumps forming on the corner of Romford Road are creating a dangerous surface for residents who use it.  The first appeared overnight two sundays ago and after assurances of a repair and an email confirming work had been completed a few days later.  It had seemed that Essex Highways team had made the road safe again. Please join our rapidly growing community facebook page   (click here) Unfortunately two days after the repair the newly surfaced area had risen to the same height as previously, only this time a further similar lump began to grow only a few metres away. It would seem that whatever the source of the problem was, the initial repairs failed to remedy it.  If anything the repair has exacerbated the problem creating quite a treacherous walking surface. Both the initial repair and the new lump have already been reported to Essex Highways Team, but two days since then, no action has been taken.  We will report the two lumps again and a third area whe...

Local Teenagers Patrycja Kaczanowska and Hannah Chowdhry with the Chigwell star lit far above the trees. Please join our rapidly growing community facebook page   (click here) A bright shining star visible from the Chigwell sky has begun to lift the spirits of local people with many talking about the phenomenon on a community whatsapp and other social media. Image shared by Vicar Paula Preston The star which has been placed on the top of All Saints Church flagpole on their bell-tower is part of the Christmas lights that the community have been working towards since October.  At 4pm on Sunday 29th November 2020, local people were alerted to the bright star after hearing bells-ringing by inexperienced but dedicated teenagers from the community, who had spent a whole weekend getting the star and a larger light display ready for local people. Using u-tacks and tie wraps to create a triangle of starlight Fixing up blue and white icicle lights along the length of All Saints external...

 During the two lockdowns many people in Chigwell and the surrounding area have been admiring the stunning natural scenery and skyline that we benefit from locally.  After we began sharing images of a rare double rainbow, bright venus and a pretty amazing sunset, others have continued to share their awe at nature's beauty on our original posting on Nextdoor.  We share those images with you to lift your spirits, as we ease out of lockdown. Sharon Devlin took this image from Stapleford Abbotts two weeks ago. This beautiful sunset was photographed by Debra Graham of Chigwell Row on Tuesday This image was taken by Sharon Devlin at 1am on Thursday as she looked across towards Chigwell Row and Collier Row. Lee Robinson took this images of the moon through branches of a tree on Epping High Street on Thursday Lee Robinson took this image slightly later. Simon Lovelock took this image during an early morning at Noak Hill This image of a raging sky was taken by Taz K of Gants Hill ...

Please join our rapidly growing community facebook page  (click here) A small group of volunteers helped bring smiles back on the faces of the COVID-19 stressed community of Chigwell Row.   During the third week of the UK's second lockdown four men, former councillor Roger Farthing, Devang Patel, Neil Patel and Wilson Chowdhry fitted festive lights to shops along Lambourne Road. Please thank the first three volunteers in this list if you see them, they gave up a lot of personal time to make this happen for us all.  Armed with a ladder, wire clippers, some tie-wraps and four sets of blue and white icicle-lights the team of four made sure local people got a taste of the festive sparkle our community deserves (one that most other local villages and towns already enjoy). The idea for the lights originated from Roger Farthing who for many years had wanted to see Christmas lights locally, but seemed too often to be thwarted by the decisions of others. This year however thr...

After a huge lump in the pavement area of Romford Road near the bus stop close to Lambourne Road, appeared overnight (click here) , Chigwell Row Residents Association reported the issue to Essex Highways Team. Initial response seemed positive and almost immediately an email was received on 16th November 2020, that said: Reference Number:  2688759 Issue:  footway defects Location:  ROMFORD ROAD Current status: inspection outcome We have assessed this as an important safety issue. We will carry out works within 2 days, which could include a temporary fix to make it safe. Regards, Essex Highways This seemed like good news at the time and we were very hopeful of a quick and professional response to what was not only a very bizarre, pavement defect but one that was very dangerous.  Speculation on the social-media app Nextdoor was not so positive and had most of our regular readers in fits of laughter. One person, glibly said: "I bet the temporary fix will be to put b...

Thank you to all of you who have been helping us with preparing All Saint's Church for our first ever ward Christmas lights. Our thanks to all of you who supplied the various donations to make this project happen.  I now share images of our progress so far, and remind you all we will be having a launch of the festive lights on 6th December at the church.  There will be a small carol concert and Lambview Heights have agreed to provide hot drinks and mince-pies for all visitors. When we have finished you will see the trees in the churchyard lit up, the wall of the church will have hanging icicle lights, and a nativity will be a centre piece for the project.  Look out for a shepherd and three wise men too.  If you cannot find the lights please do follow the star which will guide you to the location of Jesus in our nativity wherever you are in Chigwell Row. Finally, I remind you that for the first time ever,  shops on Lambourne Road will also be adorned in Festive l...