Recent events in the Parish -- in photographs.  Click to get a larger image.

24th January.  The Parish Council were informed that the Department for Transport had agreed to reclassify the A130 between Chatham Green and Great Dunmow to the B1008.  

We hope the outcome of this decision will be a dramatic reduction in traffic through Ford End although the time scale has not yet been announced.  Judging by this photograph the sooner the better!

Sunday 3rd February.  The GW Community Network arranged for Barrack Lane to be closed for a few hours to hold their Pancake Races.  I am indebted to Jean Blaber for permission to reproduce her family photographs here.

Foul play at the start.

Both feet off the ground!  That shows commitment.

Jean Blaber demonstrating to her family how it should be done.

'Ello, 'Ello.  What 'ave we 'ere?

This contestant tried to do it the hard way.

Confusion about which direction to run.

What are they doing?

A good clean start...

but disaster was imminent.

Friday 5th February.  The Howe Street Post Office closed and to mark their appreciation and gratitude for his services and friendship over the past 19 years, from September 1988 to February 2008, the residents of Howe Street and his many friends presented Derek Maddison with a painting and a cheque.  The collection and organisation of the event was done by Pat and John Bell.

Residents and friends posed for the Essex Chronicle.

Keith Derry expressed the thanks of residents and friends and  wished Derek and Mandy good fortune in their next venture.

Keith presented Derek with the cheque while Pat Bell held the painting.

Keith presented the painting to Derek

Mrs Stephens presented Mandy Maddison with flowers.

Derek with the painting of the erstwhile Post Office which  was painted by Great Waltham resident Joanna Steel.

Saturday 16th February.  The Parish Council arranged for a plaque to be be fixed to the side of the Fire Station which was open from 1938 to 1967 in Great Waltham.  The plaque was unveiled by two former Fire Brigade members, Len Blows and Dudley Spurgeon.  The event was attended by members of the Essex Fire and Rescue Service complete with a modern appliance.  

The Fire Service mobile shop was an early arrival.

The old Fire Station is a bit small for modern appliances!  A brave attempt by the crew who were not aware that a space had been reserved for them next to the Village Hall.

That's better!

The day was bright and sunny which encouraged lots of people to  attend theunveiling and the photographic display in the Village Hall.

The Chairman of the Parish Council, Peter Jackson, 'warms up' the crowd.

The guests of honour, Len Blows, on the right, and Dudley Spurgeon, two of the  retained firemen who served at Great Waltham, get ready to unveil the plaque.

The old Brigade and the new.

Lots of attention from the local Press.

The plaque revealed in all its glory.

The modern fire appliance proved a big attraction for children and adults alike.

Saturday 26th April. The Photo-shoot . The Essex Chronicle is preparing a feature on Great Waltham Village which will appear in early May.  Part of the feature will be a photograph of as many people as possible.

Peter Bradley directs the crowd from the Church tower. Look up!

15th/16th May Waltham Wanders Weekend in Derbyshire.  Click here .
Sunday June 15th. The "Old Codgers " Cricket Match .
	The 'Young Pretenders' won a close fought match by 16 runs.  See below for the details.
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	Concern as the 'Trophy' is dropped by the chief Codger en route to the Presentation
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	The 'Old Codgers' putting on a brave face after being beaten by the Youngsters.
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	James Tynsley, Captain of the victorius 'Young Pretenders' being presented with the trophy
. Old Codgers 2008
Friday June 27th.  The Green Interview.  Click here. On 27th June Peter Jackson and Keith Newton, the proprietor of our Village Store, were interviewed for a  BBC Radio 4 programme called Open Country as part of their and Great Waltham’s involvement in the Rural Community Council’s competition to find the Essex Green Village of the year which we subsequently won together with the Best Kept Village Competition 2008.  Click here for details. .
Saturday July 19th.  Church Fete & Vintage Car Display at Ford End. This event was organised by the Friends of GW and FE Churches and raised over £2,000 .
	This shows a selection of the wonderful Vintage and Veteran cars on display.
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	This is John Stone's stunning Jaguar
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	... and from another angle.
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	Pretty girls like pink.
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	One of the many sideshows demonstrated Irish Hoopla.
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	Others were more blatantly after your money!
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	The weight conscious visitors dined at the burger tent.
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	Bric-a-brac.  Take it back next year if you don't like what you bought.
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	The Friends provided a large variety of homemade cakes.
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	No idea what was happening here but it looks very pretty!
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	My granddaughter loved everything.  Especially spending Daddy's money!
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	Time to go.
If you have photographs of a recent local event that you would like published on this website email them to David Sanders on luckslane@hotmail.com