VOLUNTEERS at Epping Ongar Railway have celebrated the unveiling of their new water crane at North Weald Station.

Prior to having the crane, steam crews were unable to refill with water without a lengthy trip to the maintenance yard.

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers and support from local company DGR Mechanical Services, a new facility has been built to deliver water directly to the main running lines.

DGR at Matching Green normally works on big contracts such as the Shard in London but pitched in to help the volunteers at no cost.

Team leader Doug Pinkney explained that the gravity-fed system was designed to deliver large volumes quickly from the existing yard tank to a rotating crane similar to those used by railways back in the 1860s.

The basic components were obtained from an unwanted stock of 150mm valves and pipes and assembled by the volunteer team over a number of months, with DGR supplying specialist steel pipework and carrying out onsite welding.

The Epping Ongar Railway volunteer steam engine crews say they are delighted with the new facility and visitors can now enjoy the sight of locomotives refilling in the traditional way.

The Epping Ongar Railway is open at weekends until early January, with Santa Specials running throughout December.

TWO sixth formers and a teacher had the chance to rub shoulders with politicians and high-level business leaders at a charity's forum.

The Anglo European was one of only two schools in the country to be invited to the War Child UK High Level Policy Forum, at the BAFTA building in Piccadilly, London.

Students Natalie Ohene and Ben Oluyomi, both 17, listened as Foreign Secretary William Hague made a keynote speech, and top scientists and policy makers explored the trends likely to characterise global conflicts over the next 20 years.

Ben said: "It was fascinating to hear how new technologies are likely to be used in warfare in the future.

"It was worrying to hear about the use of drones, which will not be able to distinguish between soldiers and children, thus putting youngsters caught up in wars at greater risk."

Natalie added: "It was wonderful to have this opportunity.

"Just going to the BAFTA building was a real treat, and all the speakers were very interesting, though it was frightening to hear about the threats posed by modern warfare."

Marie-Louise Brown, head of Citizenship, who accompanied the students, said: "It was an amazing opportunity for our students to listen to very high level discussion from distinguished speakers about how the nature of war will evolve over the next 20 years through the use of drones etc., and how this will ultimately affect children.

"Ben and Natalie are so deserving of their place at the event, given their on-going commitment to citizenship, the ethos of the school and the values that we are promoting."

The Anglo European School was invited because of its on-going relationship with the War Child charity.

Over the last few years, the charity's speakers have visited the school as part of its Peace One Day events, and the school holds an annual War Child competition.

Ben is a previous winner, with a song that he wrote and performed for War Child, who have put it on their YouTube site.

A PLAN to develop 60 houses in Fyfield has left one farmer and his wife in despair, after beating similar proposals twice before.

The latest plan, which would see premises on the Fyfield Business Park converted into 60 homes, has only been made possible by recent changes in planning law.

Farmer Andrew Carmichael, whose family have worked the land since the 1950s, has this week said he will have to leave if the development goes ahead.

The 75-year-old, who works in London, told the Gazette: "We have had to fight this many times before but now I think they will succeed.

"First they wanted to build 120 houses, then it was 90 homes – each time we managed to beat them on the grounds they were building on green belt land.

"Then they decided to build the business park – something which we also opposed but unfortunately they succeeded."

Mr Carmichael, who lives at the farm with his wife Susie, took over when his mother died in 2007 and says access and drainage are the key reasons behind their opposition.

He said: "Access to the site onto the A414 is incredibly dangerous.

"The B184 is not suitable for the increase in traffic and there have been many accidents there – including a former employee who was killed, and my mother who had an accident there.

"Their land drains directly into ditches on my land – it has flooded before. On top of that they have their own mini sewer plant draining into them."

He added: "If they plan to have domestic use of the premises then they have to link up with a proper sewer system, I can't see the ditches coping.

"The development isn't right for the area – the infrastructure just doesn't exist and it is building on green belt land."

The veterinarian explained some of the history surrounding the business park development.

He said: "In 1946 my father worked for May and Baker who owned the farm. They had built an agricultural research centre on the site where the business park now stands. In 1954 my father bought the farm off May and Baker, who kept the agricultural research centre."

Boarded Barns farm, which has existed in one form or another since 1613, now shares access with the business centre, which was built on the site of the research centre, along with drainage.

An Epping Forest District Council spokesman said: "This is an unusual development, it is not a planning application as such.

"It comes under class J of the general permitted development order and is called a prior notification.

"Basically the land owner is notifying the council of the intention to change the use of the buildings. The council has until next Wednesday (November 13) to respond.

"We don't have powers to object to the conversion as such. An application for planning permission would be necessary if the existing buildings were being demolished and replaced but they are not.

"Our remit is limited to issues of highways, contaminated land and flooding."

Comments should be e-mailed to appcomment@eppingforestdc .gov.uk.

A MOTHER says she stormed out of an indoor play area at Colchester Zoo after staff ordered her to put socks on her autistic son's feet.

Tamsin Moore, 30, of Marks Garden, Braintree, vows never to return to the attraction after she claims staff said four-year-old Archie Black could not play barefoot in Kalahari Capers for hygiene reasons.

"It's the worst treatment with a special needs child I've ever had, it's atrocious," said Miss Moore, a nurse.

"They have let him go barefoot before on numerous occasions. They say it's a hygiene matter but cafes and restaurants make exceptions for guide dogs. They should make an exception because his needs are just as important as a blind person.

"It needs to be circumstantial and I don't think any other parent in the play area would have questioned it. If it was me and it was my child playing with another child who didn't like things on his feet I wouldn't even bat an eyelid. I won't be going there again."

Miss Moore, who also regularly takes her two-year-old daughter to the zoo using their gold card annual membership, took the children to the play area at lunchtime last Thursday.

Archie immediately off-loaded his socks and shoes before jumping into Kalahari Capers, which boasts ball pools and slides.

Following a heated exchange in front of about 50 others, Miss Moore says supervisors and an on-site zoo manager said she had to follow her son around the play-area if he refused to put socks on.

Non-verbal Archie, who benefits from one-to-one care at Braintree's Alec Hunter Pre School, is currently undergoing speech therapy at NHS-run Moulsham Grange. While he wears socks and shoes outside, he sheds them indoors, says Miss Moore.

Zoo director Anthony Tropeano said all children have to wear shoes in the play area – as the zoo's website states.

"The staff were very patient and said they were sorry but that it was our policy that any child that goes in has to wear socks," said Mr Tropeano.

"The mother was obviously not very happy about that so she was offered free socks from the shop, but she was not happy about that."

Mr Tropeano, who said no action would be taken, added: "Unfortunately we can't change a policy for individuals. We do it for the same reason you try shoes in a shoe shop with socks."

THE old Jack and Jenny pub in Witham could become a new Morrisons store if proposals from the supermarket chain get the go-ahead.

A new shop at the site in Hatfield Road would be an M convenience store, similar to Tesco Express or Sainsbury's Local.

But Witham Town Council and residents who live near the site are strongly against the proposal.

At a council meeting last week Witham Town Council voted to oppose the plans that will now be put to Braintree District Council's planners for a final decision.

Michael Lager, vice-chairman of Witham Town Council, said: "The planning committee and the town council had concerns about the suitability of the site for a supermarket.

"A pub is one thing, but a supermarket will come with a great deal of large vehicles coming in and out, so there will be many more hazards to traffic and pedestrians just trying to access the shop.

"Residents also have concerns about noise of the traffic and the potential licensing times of the application.

"When a developer comes in with a chequebook to build something that brings jobs to the economy it's something we should consider, but we shouldn't just go ahead with the wrong thing and this is not right for the area.

"The initial application would have had the same licensing times as the pub which was 2am – there's no need for any shop to be selling alcohol at that time in the morning in this town, so we recommended that the licensing times be curtailed to around 10.30pm."

The Jack and Jenny is owned by Brakspear and has lain vacant ever since it closed earlier this year.

About 20 new jobs would be created in the area if the new store is built.

Laura Stubbs, a spokeswoman for Morrisons, said: "We're in the early stages of discussion about bringing a Morrisons M local to Witham. We look forward to sharing our plans with the community, should things progress."

RAISING the understanding of cancer is the aim of a presentation organised by Rotarians in Billericay.

To mark Cancer Awareness Day an event is being held in St Mary Magdalene Church, in High Street.

The Rotary Club of Billericay has invited surgeon Anil Vohra to speak.

Mr Vohra is a consultant urological surgeon at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and consultant urological surgeon at Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital and Spire Hartswood Hospital.

For men with benign prostate enlargement and problems with urinary retention, Mr Vohra has ample experience with medical therapy as well as laser surgery of the prostate.

The community event will take place on Saturday, November 16, involving fellow Rotarians and residents of Billericay and will be aimed mainly at male participants, aged over 50, but younger men and women are welcome to attend.

Starting at noon with light bites and video presentation, there will then be a chance to ask questions in an informal but confidential setting.

President of the Rotary Club of Billericay, Keith Wood, said: "We are honoured to have Mr Vohra with us as he is eminently the best authority in the area to advise on this sensitive but often ignored male health topic.

"Females are routinely examined and tested but so often men just ignore the symptoms and often take action when it is too late. Our club is dedicated to helping the fight against cancer.

"We have had many speakers on the subject at our meetings and they have made us aware.

"Now we are anxious that, while it remains a national and international concern, we may be able to do something helpful and useful to make more people aware within our own community. Please join us in the fight."

A FORMER town councillor is calling for a crackdown on the advertising boards littering the pavements of Maldon High Street.

Tom Kelly, 73, says there are too many A-boards at the bus stop near St Edward's Walk, opposite All Saints' Church, when the pavement is already crowded with bus passengers and shoppers, many with wheelchairs, mobility scooters or prams.

The former Maldon Town Council member, who raised the issue at Maldon District Council's full council meeting on Thursday, said: "Some days there can be up to 15 sandwich boards on the pavement and it can be a huge squeeze for everyone to fit on the road.

"You have pedestrians, shoppers and sometimes up to 20 bus travellers all using this tiny bit of land and it's just ridiculous that everyone has to squeeze past.

"People need to be able to access the High Street properly."

In February 2013, Essex County Council ruled that businesses are limited to just one advertising board at their entrance after it backtracked on a proposed ban.

Instead the council will leave it to local authorities to decide how to tackle the issue locally.

But despite Maldon District Council's planning and licensing committee pledging to remove the boards at its meeting on October 3, they still remain.

Mr Kelly of Midguard Way, Maldon, said: "We also have a lot of elderly residents and people with young children that have to slalom their way through the crowds waiting for the bus and these advertising boards.

"If the council have decided that they are to be removed, why are they still there? We all want to improve the town as quickly and as efficiently as possible."

A Maldon District Council spokesman said: "In response to Mr Kelly's question, the head of planning services advised the committee that officers were in the process of contacting all companies currently advertising on A-boards within High Street, Maldon, providing a timescale for their removal. This action would also be undertaken across other parts of the district."

Mr Kelly, an ex-NHS worker at St Peter's Hospital, also feels that a bench with advertising on would be a reasonable solution to the problem of queuing bus passengers and shoppers.

"I feel that it's a great compromise," he said. "That way we can still have the advertising but it allows people to sit down as they wait for their bus. The other side of the road has ten benches, so it wouldn't be a case of buying a new one – you could even take one from the other side."

In response to Mr Kelly's request for a bench on the street, Maldon District Council said: "The footpath to the highway is the responsibility of Essex County Council and an enquiry has been made to Essex Highways regarding the possible provision of a suitable bench or seat for the use by elderly people or others waiting for buses."

ALL students and staff at a Brentwood school will be abandoning their desks for a day next year in order to help the community.

The search is on right now for a variety of projects to which pupils and their teachers at Brentwood County High School can lend a hand next summer.

Head teacher Stephen Drew has declared June 20 as 'Community Day', when volunteers from the school will head out on a mission to make their locality a better place.

He told the Gazette: "It will be a day when every member of the school community will do something for the benefit of the wider local community.

"Whether it is weeding, litter-picking, painting, planting, tidying, or other such task, our students and staff will be out there helping make Brentwood a better place.

"This is about encouraging our young people to recognise their place in the community and give back. They all benefit greatly from organisations and clubs run for them – whether that is Scouts, Guides, youth clubs or sports clubs. I want them to see how they can give something in return.

"It is vital they understand they are part of that community. I see this as part of their education as much as sitting exams."

Mr Drew wants people in Brentwood to suggest ideas for projects for the Community Day. He envisages groups of about 10 to 20 pupils and a couple of members of staff will be assigned to each project, and he plans to use the school minibuses and charter buses to help transport the students to the venues.

He said: "I know the date is a long way off but this is a massive undertaking so we need to start planning for it now. I hope people from churches, senior people's homes, village halls, parish councils and other community facilities will let us know what work they have that needs doing.

"We will also be liaising with Brentwood Borough Council, whom we have helped with litter picking.

"By June we will no longer have the upper sixth-formers and Year 11s with us, but will still have about 1,000 young people and 100 staff ready and willing to help their community."

Anyone with ideas for projects is asked to e-mail staff member Hilary Berry at berry@bchs.essex.sch.uk, who is co-ordinating the event. She will arrange the details, such as equipment and transport.

Mr Drew hopes the day will become an annual event, like the school's Community Awards, set up last year.

The Awards recognise people in Brentwood who work hard for the benefit of the young. Nominations are open and awards will be presented at a ceremony in December.

THE number of desperate families turning to food banks in Essex has soared dramatically over recent months, and charities are bracing themselves for a further steep rise as winter forces people to choose between heating and eating.

More than 1,200 people, of which one third were children, have turned to the Chelmsford food bank on Waterfront Place since April this year, an increase of around 50 per cent on the previous year.

Those turning to similar organisations in Burnham, Maldon, Braintree and Witham have also risen sharply with many food banks reporting more referrals in the past seven months than they received throughout all of 2012.

Ruth Leverett, a project leader at Chelmsford food bank, said: "The number of people we help has dramatically increased since April and we are expecting another increase over the winter.

"People understandably prioritise bills and have nothing left for food."

Since the charity opened its doors in July 2012 it has helped more than 2,000 people with at least three days of emergency food supplies, and has now launched a second distribution centre at St Andrew's Church Hall, Melbourne, to cope with demand.

Mother-of-two Pamela Balagot is one of those who have been forced to use the emergency service twice in the past year to feed her children after her partner lost his job, and an electricity bill left them without money for food.

"I'm a chef myself and I know where to get the best value for my money but in the winter time that does get really hard as electric costs a lot," said the 26-year-old.

"If the heaters are on all the time I might spend £10 a day on electricity during winter which on just benefits is hard to maintain, and it can be a choice between food and heating."

The city's Citizens Advice Bureau has referred hundreds to the food bank, which relies entirely on donations from the public and also provides short-term financial advice and assistance plans for those who need it.

"The amount of people we refer to the food bank is a lot higher than we anticipated. Often the people we refer have suffered some sort of emergency or something's happened which leaves them unable to afford food," said the advice organisation's Elaine Maguire.

"On average we refer around seven people a week to the bank but that number can go up to around three people a day."

Charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has also established five centres across the county where they provide free debt counselling, a key reason behind families falling into poverty.

Their own research showed that across the south east 70 per cent of clients said that, before finding the charity, they would sacrifice meals in order to save money, and 64 per cent admitted to being unable to provide for their children adequately.

One single mum, who did not wish to be named, said: "Before CAP got involved I was desperate and fearful. I often went without food so my children could eat."

To combat the expected rise in demand over the winter months volunteers at Chelmsford food bank are appealing for extra assistance from the public over Christmas.

"We were overwhelmed by the amazing amount of food donated over harvest and I'm sure the public will be just as generous at Christmas too," added Ruth.

"I understand that it is very hard for people in need to come and see us but a crisis can happen to anyone, they shouldn't feel ashamed.

"We do our best to make people feel welcome. They are offered a cup of tea and can sit down and have a chat. The volunteers are great at making people feel at home."

BRAINTREE Food Bank has already helped 1,595 people this year with emergency supplies, more than the total figure throughout 2012.

The four distribution centres across the district have faced increasing demand throughout recent months, but have also been inundated with donations from the public responding to their appeals.

However, organisers are stressing that this generosity must continue through the winter months to cope with the growing demand.

"The support we have received from local schools and churches in particular has been phenomenal. We now have a supply of food that will comfortably last for a few months in the event of donation levels dwindling," said Mark Food, PR officer at the charity.

"However, I would like to emphasise the need for on-going donations if we are going to satisfy the growing demand for our service."

The 42-year-old's own motivation for getting involved with the charity six months ago came as a result of hearing about the rise in the number of children turning up at his daughter's school hungry.

"Teachers at my daughter Amelie's school started to put on a breakfast club for children due to the number that were turning up having clearly not had anything to eat. It was this that made we want to do what I could to help," he said.

Between April 1 and October 25 the Braintree district centres fed 1,595 people, of which 567 were children, which is more than the total fed throughout the 12 months of 2012.

"It's only when the cold really digs in that we will know how it will impact upon the eating versus heating dilemma," said Maggie Drewitt, one of 250 volunteers across the centres.

"One of the biggest challenges we face is getting the word out to the older generation who are unable to get to the agencies."

A FOOD pantry based in Maldon provides 33 food parcels to needy families in the district on a typical Wednesday, giving around 82 people vital groceries.

But volunteers are bracing themselves for an increase yet again over the winter months as energy bills soar.

"Even during the summer I heard people complaining about energy bills so once they have to put the heating on it's really going to hit them hard," said Pastor Rob Sefton, who runs the centre based on Wantz Road.

"We see a real variation of people come to us – from single people to large families of four or five children.

"Generally the people we see are just struggling to make ends meet. The cost of living and inflation are rising and incomes just can't keep up."

In the two and a half years since the centre opened, 2,636 food parcels have been provided, giving an estimated 7,400 people food.

But in the last three months organisers have seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of people turning to them for help.

And a few miles down the road in Burnham on Crouch, the Dengie Food Pantry is also steeling itself for a surge due to winter fuel bills.

The Rev Tony Jones, from the pantry which opened in November 2012, said: "We are bracing ourselves for winter because of energy bills going up and the worry of 'heating or eating.'

"We do expect quite a rush once the cold sets in. But people in the area have been very generous with donations so we should be well stocked.

"Our primary job is to provide emergency food but we understand that the social contact people receive when they come here is very important too.

"We have tables out for tea and coffee so people can chat."

The Dengie Food Pantry, which has been open for a year, is based at the Baptist Church in Station Road, Burnham, on Tuesday between 10am and 1pm.

A new branch is now open at Christ Church, North Street, Southminster on Wednesdays between 10am until noon.

PROPOSALS for Stansted to replace Heathrow as the UK's main airport hub have not made it to the shortlist of options collated by the Airports Commission. 

The Commission, which published its interim report this morning, has selected a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow, and a new runway at Gatwick as the three final options to which it will now look at in further detail, leaving off plans for a four-runway expansion at Stansted. 

"We are obviously greatly relieved that Stansted is not on the shortlist. The environmental consequences of even one extra runway would have been catastrophic and the fact is that there has never been a viable business case for any extra runways at Stansted.  The airport currently operates at less than half of its potential capacity," said Brian Ross, economics adviser for Stop Stansted Expansion. 

"We must now show solidarity with the communities around Heathrow and Gatwick and support their efforts in resisting the threat that they now face."