Harlow Star, January 8, 2015

30.6 MB·English

by  Herts & Essex Newspapers Ltd

ENJOY A GREAT WIN TICKETS
TO W EST
BRITISH G E TAWAY
END S H OW
h a r l o w s t a r. c o . u k /tenpoundholidays PAGE 24 PAGE 31
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Thursday, January8,2015 Price 50p where sold
Inside
TT HH EE PPRREESSSSUURREE’’SS OONN AATT
CCRRIISSIISS--HHIITT HH OO SS PP II TTAA LL
Arsenal fan
Billy p i c ke d
as mascot
Page 6
n
A&E waiting time targets
being consistently missed
n
416 people faced four-
hour delay to be admitted
Anger over n
MP wants urgent meeting
handling of
with PAH chief executive
M11 crash n
Health Secretary Jeremy
Page 7
Hunt agrees to visit town
n
A&E department treating
only life-threatening cases
n
Hospital bosses blaming
‘unprecedented demand’
Club names
kitchen after
popular Kitty
FFUULLLL SSTTOORRYY:: PPaAgGeEs 36&7 YOUR SAY: Share your experiences with other readers at h a r l owsta r.co.u k
Page 17
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2Star, Thursday, January 8, 2015 News HSH-EO1-S2 harlowstar.co.uk
BRIEFING ON THE WEB visit h a r l o w s t a r. c o . u k
in print & online Most readonline Latest online Be part of everything
IN THE PA P E R Scan the QR code to visit our site
On your Register
Labour of love Mobile nFor
nAccess b re a k i n g
for call handler the latest news news sent direct
and sport on the to your inbox,
who helped dad move on any local savings and
deliver his baby smart phone or offers and to join
tablet the debate
nFull story page 5 Sacecriioduesn tm culoltsi-evse hMic1l1e nLike us on Facebook/HarlowStar
Chief Constable southbound at Harlow Essex Police make a total nFollow us on twitter@Harlowstar
Woman seriously injured of 175 arrests in Christmas
praises officer’s in crash which closed crackdown on drink-drivers Follow the web
M11 for more than six
dedication after hours
Gallery Online
49 years’service Up to 20 caravans from Highways Agency defends View & share Find more on
former Passmores School its handlingof aftermath your pictures our website
nFull story page 11 site leave Harlow of crash which closed M11 Vi d e o Interaction
REGULARS Hdraurglosw is m jaainle dfilmed selling Wo m a n ’s shock after she Wshaatrceh v oidreos Gd ie ret cin t lv yolved
finds cereal ‘killer’scuttling Debate Mobile
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Announcements 18-19
RangersClub 22
StarGo! 25-32 135,433 people visited our website in DecemberS o u rc e : Be part of our growing
Sport 50-52 AOd mo nb i et u re online community
NEXT WEEK ‘I was terrified . . . Time running
only in your Harlow Star
out to apply
for a primary
I thought I only
school place
PARENTS and carers of children
due to start primary school in
had weeks to live’ September have until next week
to apply for a place.
Applications for children born
during the period from
September 1, 2010 and August 31,
2011 must be submitted to Essex
County Council by Thursday
Fitness instructor’s battle with breast cancer (January 15) for a place for the
September intake.
All children of reception age
are entitled to start school in the
Vicky Knill September following their
[email protected] fourth birthday.
Essex county councillor Ray
A FITNESS instructor who believes Gooding, cabinet member with
being in shape helped her battle breast responsibility for education and
cancer is encouragingothers to keep lifelong learning, said:
Don't forget yo u r their bodies healthy. “Applying for the right primary
school for your child is an
The first time Debbie Cook, of Ryec-
important decision and I would
second holiday token roft, Harlow, suspectedsomething was
urge parents to use the tools
wrong was when she started exper-
available on our website to
iencing pain in her left breast.
ensure they make an informed
She booked an appointment with her
ap p l i c at i o n .
C O N TA C T S GP and although nothing was found she “Due to increasing pressure
was referred for a mammogram.
on primary school places,
Itwas onlythenthat testsrevealed schools can become
Editorial two small lumps, not on the left side but oversubscribed so it is
E.k..ed..n.i.tm.o...ro. [email protected].. .Ms.....co..o.r..l.eu...ky . soani“ dtIht ewD reaibsg bphiute.,re5 f0l.u k“eT thheayt iot nwlya s dfoiduntdh,e” iccmarirpteeofruritlaal yna ntc odfon grsi ipvdaee rrteh naedtmsm stioeslsvieosns
Post Harlow Star, mammogram to put mymind at rest. I maximum opportunity to be
The Media Centre, nearly didn’t goasthepain hadnearly considered for a school they
40 Ware Road, g o n e. want by using up all their
.............................H...e..r.t..f.o..r..d.. .S...G...1..3...7..H...U. . “I agreed to twobiopsies being done p re f e re n c e s. ”
Phone News01992 526556 thereand then.It wassurreal; Iwas He added: “It is vital to apply
Sport01992 526615 more concerned with my car park tick- on time. We recommend that
.............................................................. . et expiring.” parents use all their preferences
e-mail The results of the biopsies confirmed and list their local school as one
............................................s..t.a...r.@...h...e..r.t.s..e...s..s..e..x..n..e...w...s....c..o.....u..k . her worst fears that she had breast of their preferences.
Advertising c a “n Ic ew r.as terrified,”said Debbie. “It co“nPsiadreern ttsh es haodumldis aslisoon sc acrreitfuerlliya
Advertising sales 01992 526666 / 526625 w a s n’t in my family. My only exper- of each school for which they
fax [phone] / 526687 / 526654 ience ofbreast cancer was alady who wish to apply.”
.DI.f. .y.i.os..u.t.. r.h.i.a.b.v..ue... .ta..i .qo..u..n.e..r.y.. ..r.e..g..a...r.d..i.n...g.. .t.h...e.. .d..e...l.iv..e...r.y.. .o...f. .y..o..u...r.... . dthieoTduh geshetnv Iee hwna sdw oweneaklsys waalesfetokersu tpdosi laeigtvtnei.no”sgisf. orI SUR VIVOR:Debbie Cook believes her fitness helped her in her battle against cancer twh weA wcpo.p eul sin sc etay xt i .c goo onuvs.n ucc kai /nl’ a sb d we m em ib sas sdi it oee n oa sn.t
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NMaenwagsepr aper sales Sue Whiteman aatned. Il owoakn ateftde rto m wya glkr ahnedr kdiodws.n” the aisle rde i d l i n e’ ft, ” gsoh feo rs tahide .m “aTmomtohginrakm I anneda trhlayt, neHede ri tm’.essage to women is clear; if you BREAKING NEWS
Phone [phone] InMarchlast yearshewasadmitted thankfully, bothsides weredone. Ifelt have a pain, go to the doctor. ON OUR WEBSITE
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.PL..eh..a.o..ft.l.oe..t.S..D.a..il.se..t.s.r. i.b...u..t..i.o..n... ...............................00..11..52...82..23.. .44...73..04..54..03...64 . an“dI ta’s l eafmt raezdinugc twiohna.t they can do,”she bheelri erveecso vietrwy, ahse lhpeinrgfihtnere srse gtahiant maiodveed- nFoSri gLnif eu p- tsoedea pya fgoer 5Harlow's Race h a r l owsta r .co.u k
harlowstar.co.uk HSH-E01-S2 News Star, Thursday,January8,2015 3
175 arrests Hospital fails to hit
in blitz on
motorists at
A&E waiting target
Christmas
The Small Copper
POLICE arrested 175 drivers 01279 425 777
during the Christmas and new
‘Unprecedented volume of patients’treated
year blitz on drinking and Saturday 10th January
driving on the roads of Essex.
The force operated a zero- live music
tolerance approach as officers Gemma Gardner FlaG
were out in force across the g e m m a . g a rd n e r @ h e r t s e s s e x n e w s . c o . u k
county between December 1 and
January 1. PRINCESS AlexandraHospital missed
A total of 2,429 drivers were itsfour-hour A&Ewaiting timetarget
stopped and breathalysed. Of with its performance dropping well
those, 143 were found to be below the national average, according to
driving over the legal alcohol figures released this week. rock‘n’roll•r’n’B60’s|70’s
limit or refused or failed to From the three-month period from ©LW
provide a sample. October to December, only 77.6 per cent
Most of those arrested we re of patients were seen within four hours
under the age of 25. –the target is 95 per cent.
A further 32 drivers were The figures, released by Public Health
arrested in connection with EnglandonTuesday, show416 people
drug-driving legislation. had to wait for more than four hours
The total number of arrests before being admitted to the Harlow
was higher than in 2013, when hospital.
124 drivers were arrested for During the past week the hospital has
driving over the limit or refusing issueda stay-awaywarning topeople
or failing to give a sample of with non-emergencycases asthe A&E
b re at h . department struggled to cope with
Adam Pipe, casualty reduction “u n p re c e d e n t e d ”levels of demand.
manager for Essex Police, said: Harlow MP Robert Halfon said he was
“It is always frustrating to see seeking an urgent meeting with the
that, despite knowing the hospital’s chief executive, Phil Morley,
consequences, some drivers still to discuss the situation.
consider themselves to be above Pr aise
the law by getting behind the
wheel having knowingly Speaking inthe Houseof Commons
consumed too much alcohol. yesterday (Wednesday), Mr Halfon
Targ eted invited HealthSecretary JeremyHunt
tovisit thetown. MrHunt agreedand
“This year we breathalysed praised Mr Halfon for supporting his
fewer drivers and arrested more local NHS.
on suspicion of drink-driving. Mr Halfon told theStar:“I believe the
While this appears disappointing hospital has outstanding staff –d o c t o r s,
on first sight, it can be explained nurses and auxiliary staff –who are
by a more targeted approach second to none, have a commitment and
taken during this year’s passion for the NHS and for patients in
campaign. Harlow. These figuresare no reflection
“We were able to target our on them,but oflong-standing problems
patrols more specifically to areas with the hospital that have existed over
where intelligence told us people the past few years.
were drink-,driving. We were “Nationally, there are now 5,000 more
also able to act on information nurses and 8,000 more doctors than MISSED TARGET: The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow
received from members of the therewerein 2010.Clearlymoreneeds
public about people who to be done, but I am confident that with effect theGovernment is havingon our believes you need to be seen at the
regularly get behind the wheel the support of the Government, the NHS.” hospital, then a direct referral will be
under the influence of alcohol.” plans of the new chief executive and the A spokeswoman for the Princess arranged by them.”
He added: “Our Christmas dedication ofthe staff,the hospitalwill Alexandra Hospital Trust said: “We are Earlierthisweek MrHuntadmitted
anti-drink drive campaign may provide the right service.” continuing to treat an unprecedented meeting the A&E standard was proving
have come to an end, but Essex But SuzyStride, Labourparliament- volume of acute patients in our emer- tough.
Police take a robust approach to ary candidate for Harlow, said it was gency department. He said:“Targets matter butnot at
drink-drivers, 365 days a year. clear A&E services were under real “It isnot appropriateto attendthe any cost. The priority is to treat people
Drink-driving isn’t just about pressure, withNHS staffdealing with emergency department with common with dignity and respect.”
Christmas, it ruins lives all year. increasing demand. winter illnesses such as chest infec- Shadow Health Secretary Andy
“Perpetual drink drivers will She added: “The decisionto only see tions, vomiting ordiarrhoea. Instead, Burnham said patients were being
choose to drink and drive any emergency cases at the hospital, visit your pharmacist or call 111. exposed to “unacceptable levels of risk”,
day of the year so I want to ask coupled with the publication of national “They can direct you to the right adding: “This crisis in A&E has its roots
for support from the public to figures showing the worst waiting times serviceorseek anurgentappointment in theGovernment’s cutsto socialcare
help take them off the roads.” forA&E inadecade, demonstratethe from your GP. If your family doctor and GP access.”
We Will write
YOUR WILL
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4Star, Thursday, January 8, 2015 HSH-EO1-S2 harlowstar.co.uk
MP ignoring READER PHOTO OF THE WEEK thanks to him for doing that for
her. He has restored our faith in
crisis in NHS p e o p l e.
nTHIS photo of a fox And to the person who took
Contact the Star SIR,I was surprised to read in was sent in by the bag, I hope you needed the
the Starthat our local MP Victoria Witcomb, of money more than mum.
SYMH...oee.e.u.nrd.tr.df. ioa.V .. ryi.Cde.o.w .euS..ns.rG.t, . rl.1H.ee.3.,ta. t.74r.e.lH0.or. .Usw.W. . t.aS.o.r.t:.ea.. r.R,. .T.o..ha..ed..,......... . Rfv(soLeoor eeWtb temC te h eirhs rnet rstn iH,Po s D iaatbtmrel ecflc oiaodeansmomm iawenbefsotneg eutr trao l1o d hgp1n eo)lo i. tolkmhidcee iy j saoN sh bteHewdS ian ttTSwHoretaar oamicrtkcle kop ksi wltf ae. i bet f“ bil yAede l t ,dal hiH tuset ,tal ”yecrs ly.bho c.iew tl.e ”.o “fI Rwexeiplmle gecmetH ti baty.reolrou,w k w a(fhruTmelrln aaac dy eidosyru egM srleseoa ansstut taaplnpbdlaie nidto)
Drop eoff at: pretending to Harlow residents nIf you have taken a Concern was
Management Suite, First Floor, he is in one place while actually photo which you
The Harvey Centre, Harlow being somewhere completely would like to be hear twarming
............................................................. . dif ferent. featured in our Photo
email [email protected] He complains about potholes of the Week section, SIR,Please could I, through
............................................................. . yet votes for cuts to council email a high res copy your letters page, convey my
budgets. He complains about the –along with a thanks to some very kind people
Letters should be no more than law on Travellers yet he’sa description of your who came to my assistance when
250 words and include your member of the Government photo and details of I was involved in a road collision
name and address. which makes the law. where and when it near the Esso garage in Harlow
The Star reserves the right to cut Then there’s the NHS. He says was taken –to star@ on the evening of Friday,
and correct any letters and does he is supporting our local NHS hertsessexnews.co.uk December 19.
not guarantee to use every letter here in Harlow but his Please include your There were lots of lovely
submitted. The Editor’s decision government has presided over a name and address people who checked that myself
is final. real-term cut in NHS spending, and insert ‘Photo of and the other driver involved
despite promising to protect real- the Week’in the were okay. A gentleman
Part of Herts & Essex term spending. He voted for a subject line. telephoned the police and a
Newspapers, a division of Local £3bn reorganisation of the NHS young lady and a gentleman
World Ltd. Registered office in despite standing for election on a offered their details as witnesses
England No. 08290481, PO Box promise of doing exactly the crisis in our local NHS. on benefits –how long before you Bag theft had to the incident.
10177, 50 St George Street, o p p o s i t e. It’s too late for Christmas or I are found to be a drain upon In a world where we hear of so
Leicester, LE1 8ED. haMveo bree etnh alani d4, 0o0ff0 uNnHdSer w tohrekers prerseosleunttiso nbu fot rh othwe anbeowu ty aeas ra Mr scoocmiemtyu naintdy ?cast out of the happy ending mpeaonpyle a bwyf uthl ethiri nfeglsl obwei mnga nd,o inte to
RpRaepceyecr lcmedaydecling TNgtNhooHHaMv rtSS ei reru rs snHnpe ’mwdceaoenl aefrrdtnod ciLnth n o ab .sgfbup Ltoteo uaan btrkeh osgweu la eerEb c riuotnasuri ostt opet dehsaeany HsimeSarpuliforzoouynv sS id antrrbgoido poeusu,t t rLcph aaNrebno HosdtpeuSidcir naitpnit naea Hr gnflio daaarm rn gHldoeeawtnrst.laorwy prtuheospeW pwirpreeoi sleraieksvlnl ea ttssotia ngftwohegr t etah hoTlelueo r tr wvht faooers rseet een on dwsfu ouLhmmrooenb. gteLdharoeva tnoetf ShiFcn eoIat nRudo t n, rhtdOehe.arent ibBDoarnegic t sisehstmhoolb peHe niern aa2 rtf2htt emer typo omwpnupming wsuacsh h terauret wkianrdmniensRgs utanoCnd hwder licilstson ,nD eHcusaesrrrclonaw.n
utmhpae t 7re8ar.wia9l% of ahwvoaesirptaiintgagel slai nastdns d af rbboormvoeu .1g 8Wh mte dobonuwtihlnts to a Stoli pinpteorlye rsalnocpee what they died foDre iesr pPraerskNe, .rH Tvaaerydlol.owr fwaeiSrllh aaems w ohauesnr dtg eolvafa smssetoasn,t eepdyh aoinsn seiit,d pheua ardss ae Tdhuireinf gs tfruuncekral
for UK maximum of 18 weeks. Now Dump rubbish and sentimental things such as
newspapers waiting times are going up and it SIR,Perhaps 2015 should be a photos that could not be SIR,I am writing to say how
in 2011 is patients who are suffering. year of generosity when we work on their land re placed. disgusted I am that while my
However much he tries to deny toward the well-being of all who She reported the theft to the daughters and their aunt
Complaints iits, tthhaet etxhpeeyr aierne cwe aoift ilnocga fla preople lainvde ivno tHe afrolro wth oasned w ohuor cwoiullntry wSIaRst,eA innd p suob ilti cg aoreesa osn, n. o. i.s heu amnda,n phoolpiec.e A bsu ta dfaidmni’lty h woled a olul ct aalnleyd agtrtaennddaedd atht eP afurnnedroanl Wofo tohdeir
longer for a GP, having mixed facilitate this, and where we give in broad daylight, a fire her mobile, leaving texts and Crematorium, someone broke
TawlttH47notCcLRTnihhhkenu0Hailhfoaoeca eeeelTFdtt iP:raU me.sW i t hholco nEPit0rdo nna.oaanoirmneadr1sw,s cgevc e.pawr i8icTuicstnne estwsleSou9oilsku, ges scy rRsfnr2pmtrc mwi ae aoaCpaAb Kaooi 5mrstnlgaiar,pgoaneese2 ip.pnrdTdeemedstn.e5aa deghrnin, Ie2o,pp Mctfr ecetH odt7 np telysh y ao o e3 MWlrot,btIeetin rhnrr,nous7ela tiee eedvejtf ua ussdlcoby CesmlunbNesroir oesisahyadm, saep l w,t uittdT irCeway oiSolyrrtT Nivsccics ers Gthbep C1 hoetnpwtei1e e oopotta1to3 rhcno dyfpeNtuata@ he,e oliLtodrerf.f fbltefhwMesasrwwwaoooeeevxcueehhhtlr PrrsIIecpaylte ’ aaeivvoir c wedlm.odIwdntt tyiiwor’Hou hecchem otp uihnIigeenrhne oane’nlso ss l’mntwdtetnaotaee. g s y iac ftpra edk W csprhoedoon vwnl entnaatsevuueaidohrdh’ios t ceyrtrtlo ttde pwewe dr eetea fion hl. ah imlniTe tatnsml tpnaaehhwa o’io vemdbesmltteedecryeri erheo tyi ineg sa nwuoaeeosddd ugenweo siultnoeoidn am v d tlcrm a narlolhocwte avi i rmtheoyntotr atreheia twreeyvgtentyela s h oe eseireabdwtt n ,ru r’de otai asl t e norptuecfnbhehvoo.gktruaktereetty’rs tfdtptPawtlsptsfeoo hhohoulrieeriesru iifaeaeTHTrogep llfs c n nna eemsipgphropaaec uttldk ealenvf eehl ssuiewrsv mosro es. ?i ulTata eywits phttiaAwnmsinl ir hnlodcl soeb aetdeseagoo la lnlhv a tro ft yonunsnpht eesr pot ofwhdr a,olemet oew nlo Ehayi ttyece dtnh rttee s orli1sfh ohwe e eo ssaoum0aapniaae an 0nrindcsrwotvxtrlm s hey ilg wyswen.Gep s k tenuo grlaeteooeaeaiuhenenrdrbr p rrvss xpose i tldsmstoteteea uiuoh.ta yerurdrbalhrapnre vi ,rlgibinga c teieesotoeoteeyh sf .sald b oeitalfe slssisen paPTbbloewwteltaaah xlcfurearoh snnfkeIDroceast eu eddmeoor ndsvhowprl esf..mue odee e l.gsmhWItlacausH fholrlt etni ereriaheaaryhna rkdrn nelnrnoietregslel sis to.ruu ty ln I seoteatwaloSb hkgodacnwcnnnbc ia yne (epdshdnfcfienn vuodsue kf o ahd’lehtrrl rglt oial no rgua msyagtl.banmdr ph md eSebentdei pesdhnst aoeydp ttmerrsitca ch enenti tshiaatth soehstm thuumE stt pneoaooohe smoyapC tsnpl muehe ksdk puw.m a mssas tIepni,Gneeh senepojo reogntnvalweiihietelorenl.adtnt) vmtWocstafbtawHgoohhepaoeurruiairuoeneeoHILlern ittrr lm cb nah l u tjeacpclteit teuilnod onnodt ooi hel hmwetswng e u m wdmootbKettr ear hal h ronre ntdtwp ooali iaefh ko ee.n lnabfnnao naa s ee b nl’ek rstg .nntgtl awha alb(yho)n m dtodab gyeauve eeaon iwpe in tued swensthnlegooli hdt smidvtytiaml g ue’ seiwonh tev a vc hfagrohgetgneef hheyomeemie ie s i talp ew ndi.n coewbaihtatset ltng o . eb nloecaoa mi reI iaeaafpmdrn rntkmw lhaknl elt . itlteyhh sutisasn uahH hnas oansongrfeineednt ofvin o id btreiebanenesasuddtgs. tiabrpiihpapowsfnootnueahia h t cttbAMIettndtdoeho othr bnrn onupdt oi yheeeth r spbedralh s iare i dHpe aaestoitiebsla ssaah der gia liugd – svueersrs recartsebtle ina . goa h lce l curnpsa–tthenwaaerelhttnitt tynrtey cdg eeets (oo m tofgluhea rwosurfuyster nlra.m al cntrh ahladebi Wdhtuearoned eeaoe iis mdtnso sdrh sst st rtdho ni o dhyut oepnlurwfinhoea eelpc onodmhe wlderhhsloltyog ae ei.s t oula M? ctc rchi Tlth hbstefao hecr .eshueaitrs adee.olBhp ed tri.eyspn tsprerho yaoernliriereweeotrkddtn)
Online: harlowstar.co.uk Search: HarlowStar Tweet: @harlowstar
harlowstar.co.uk HSH-E01-S2 News Star, Thursday,January8,2015 5
Keep calm! Praise for call handler who helped dad deliver baby
A YOUNG ambulance service
call handler who gave vital
instructions and reassurance
toa father-to-bewhen hiswife
gave birth during an unplanned
delivery at their home in Har-
low hasbeen praisedfor stay-
ing calm under pressure.
Jordan Clarke-Rivers, 19,
whohad onlystarted herjob
with the East of England Ambu-
lance Service six weeks earlier,
was manning the phones in the
early hours of the morning
when she answereda call from
Ahmed Mohamed, who told her
his wife Lisa wasin the final
stages of labour.
After dispatching an ambu-
lance to their home in Altham HAPPY FAMILY: Ahmed and Lisa with daughters Maya and Aaliyah and baby
Grove, Jordan took control of son Zayne. Right, EEAST call handler Jordan Clarke-Rivers
the situation and told Mr
Mohamed what he needed to baby on Lisa’s chest and then Duty officer Nikki Young lance after his partner unex-
d o. theambulance crewknocked. said: “Jordan gave full birth pectedly entered the final
“I don’t thinkIwas goingto They came upst-airs and the instructions and did absolutely stages of labour.
makeit withouther,”he said. baby was fine. It happened fantastically. I’m veryproud of “We didn’t realise it was that
“She was really helpful. really fast.” howshehandled it;itwasan cl o s e, ”he said. “Jordan said
“The baby had the cord The couple, who have named example ofhow acall handler where to hold the baby and
around his head and she their new baby son Zayne, should work.” where to push. It was all over in
warnedme thiscould behap- praisedJordan forherinvalu- Incredibly, a few days later about three minutes.
pening and she toldme to be able help. Jordan was called on to help “I was in a blind panic but
c a re f u l Jordan said: “We have had another father in the same situ- Jordan was really good. She
“Shestayed withme onthe lots of guidance on what to do in ation as Mr Mohamed. Ben guided us through all we
line until after the baby started these situations so I felt pre- Saunders, a gasengineer from needed to knowand the baby
crying. Shetold me toput the pared. I’m proud of myself.” Basildon, rang for an ambu- came out perfect.”
Protestors calling
for change in law
Demand for action on illegal Traveller sites
Gemma Gardner “We don’t want illegal Trav- town on Monday. It is believed
g e m m a . g a rd n e r @ h e r t s e s s e x n e w s . c o . u k ellers here making a mess and they were heading for other areas
spoiling our green spaces. We of the country and the contin-
A CAMPAIGN group is calling for have two permanent sites and ent.
achangeinthe lawtohelprid those Travellers have become The group of three families
Harlow of illegal Traveller encamp- members of the community. were previously on Essex County
m e n t s. “These illegal Travellers are Council-owned land at the former
The residents say they are fed givingthem abadname. It’s not Passmores School.
up with thenumber of encamp- f air.” Thereare stillsevencaravans
ments and the failure of both He added: “This group is for onEssex CountyCouncil-owned
Harlow Council and Essex Police people of anypolitical view and land at Coldharbour Road and
to put an end to the situation. it’s about getting illegal Trav- five caravansin the carpark of
Spearheading the campaign is ellers out of our town.” Passmores House on Third Aven-
MitchMitchell, whohas livedin The group has organised a u e.
Harlow since the 1960s. meeting for residents to air their HarlowCouncil hasanactive
He said: “Harlowus dtobea views and discuss how to move Possession of Land Order for
town people were proud to live in. fo r w a rd . Passmores House and bailiffs
We have a nice town centre which Themeeting willbe heldnext have been notified.
has improved overthe years but Thursday (January 15). Details A council spokesman said it
now it’s going backwards.” about where it will take place will wasimportant thatincidentsof
The group, which has been set be posted on the ‘Keep Travellers anti-social behaviour including
up on social media site Facebook, out of Our Town’page on Face- fly-tipping were reportedso they
asks residents to share their book. can be investigated and appro-
views, lobby the council and Mr Mitchell said: “This is priate action taken.
organise peaceful protests. aboutthe illegalTravellers,not Reporting issues and incidents
Mr Mitchell added:“It needed about those thatlive here. We’re canalso helpsupport anylegal
someonetosay ‘I’m not having fed up of the cat and mouse game action the council takes.
this anymore’. Someone had to the council is playing.It has to nFor information about unau-
stand upand becounted. Harlow s t o p. ” thorised encampments on Essex
Council doesnot careand Essex Meanwhile,about 20caravans County Council land, call 0845 603
Police do not care. from illegal encampments left the 7624
Race is on for cancer charity fundraiser
ORGANISERS of this year’s RaceforLifeeventsin an hourwhile chatting andhaving fun, orthey can
Harlow and Epping are being urged to start the new choose to jog, run or even dance around the course if
year by signing up. they prefer.”
The Cancer Research UK fundraiser takes place in Every hour more than three people are diagnosed
HarlowTown Parkon Sunday,May 17and atNorth with cancer in the East of England.
Weald Airfield on Wednesday, July 15. There will be Money raised through Race for Life allows Cancer
5k and 10k courses at both. Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists to
Lastyear, 3,402womentookpart intheHarlow advanceresearch whichishelpingto savethelives
and Epping races, raising almost a quarter of a of men, women and children across Essex.
million pounds for the charity. This year the organ- “Race for Life is to celebrate those who are with us
isershaveset atargetof4,040 participantsanda and also remember those who are not,”said Court-
fundraising total of £284,848. ney. “The atmosphere iselectric, our participants
CourtneyCulverhouse, eventmanager forHar- are so inspiringand we’re calling onthe women of
low, said:“We ’re urgingwomen ofall ages,shapes Harlow and Epping to help make 2015 our best year
and sizes to take on Race for Life and sign up now. ye t . ”
“RaceforLifeis non-competitive.It’s not about nTo enter Race for Life, go to raceforlife.org or call
being fit or fast. Most women are able to walk 5k in 0300 123 0770.
6Star, Thursday, January 8, 2015 News HSH-EO1-S2 harlowstar.co.uk
Final meeting a
sad day for war
veterans’ gr oup DAY TO
REMEMBER:
Billy Michael
with Arsenal
captain Per
M e r t e s a c k e r,
the match
Dwindling numbers blamed for closure of NVA officials and Hull
City captain
Curtis Davies
Bianca Castro in November there were only diminished.” and mascot
[email protected] about 10 active members. Fellow veteran and standard Arsenal fan Billy is FA Cup tie mascot
Margaret Akers, whose hus- bearer George Eaton, 85, added:
MEMBERS ofa groupof Second bandCharles wasoneof thefirst “We allbelong to othergroups as
World War veterans met in Harlow membersofthe group,said:“It is well so we will still see each other.
for the last time before Christ- verysad butit’s justone ofthose We just won’t be together under IT was a dream come true with Arsenal captain Per
m a s. thing. Everyone is in their 80s and the Normandy Veterans Associ- for a young Arsenal Mertesacker, who scored in
The Harlow branchof the Nor- 90snow andwedonot havethe ation umbrella. supporter from Harlow the Gunners’2-0 victory.
mandy Veterans Association has people to run it. “It was a really fantastic group when he led the team on to “It was brilliant to have
been forced to close because dwind- “The whole Normandy Veterans and the memories will stay with all the Emirates pitch for been chosen to be the
ling numbers meant it was no Association started offwith com- of us.” S u n d ay ’s FA Cup clash mascot and to walk the
longer possible for it to continue. radeship. That was what it’s TheNVA wasorginallyorgin- with Hull City. team out onto the pitch,
A service was held at St Mary always been about.” ally launched by Grimsby resident Longwood Primary pupil especially for an FA Cup
theVirginChurch inSheeringto The group met monthly, usually Arthur Floodman, who put a small Billy Michael, 11, who is a m at ch , ”said Billy. “I got to
mark the group’s official closure. on a Sundayevening, to discuss storyinhis localpaperinviting member of the Junior meet loads of players, it
The NormandyVeterans Asso- and plan what it would be doing for local veterans of the Normandy Gunners, was chosen as was really exciting!”
ciation, which has branches the following month. campaign to attend a meeting. the official mascot for the His dad, Colin, added: “It
throughout the UK, was launched On occasionsthey metup with Four years later, in 1985, the televised game. was an incredible day. “I
in 1981 as an organisation for members of the Southend branch group became a national associ- Billy, of Gibbs Croft, met d o n’t think he realised the
former servicemen who,from the and would organise regular trips ation andby themid 1990sit had the players –including his full extent of it until he
D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, around the UK as well as returning more than 100 branches across Bri- favourite Alexis Sanchez, was there. He didn’t want
fought for the Allied cause in to Normandy. Guestspeakers were tain as well asoverseas in Aus- pictured left–when they it to end and he hasn’t
defeating the Germans. also invited to meetings. tralia, New Zealand, Canada, arrived at the ground on stopped talking about it
The Harlow branch –No.59 –was Branch chairman Richard Belgium and France. the team bus. He was then s i n c e. ”
formedin1987 andatitsheight Edser, 88, said: “It was a lovely The NVA’s final service as a given a tour of the stadium Sanchez said: “It was
had more than 30 members. The crowd and we really did have some national associationwas heldin and was taken into the great to meet Billy. He was
group held regular meetings as good times together. Westminster Abbey. It was atten- p l aye r s ’loung e. really excited and such a
well as social events and excur- “We did lots of things as a group ded by Lord Astor of Hever and the After being interviewed passionate young
s i o n s. but it wasn’t quite the same in Gover nment’sArmed Forcesmin- on the big screen, he supporter, it was good to
But by the time the group closed recent years because our numbers ister Mark Francois. walked out on to the pitch s e e. ”
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harlowstar.co.uk HSH-EO1-S2 News Star, Thursday, January 8, 2015 7
Man punched and
threatened with a
knife in Town Park
THREE robbers who attacked a man
in Harlow Town Park and threatened
him with a knife are being hunted by
p o l i c e.
The 21-year-old victim was
approached by the three men in
School Lane. They punched him in
the stomach and threatened him with
a knife before stealing £25 in cash and
his black Apple iPhone 5.
The robbery took place at 8pm on
F riday.
The trio had covered their faces to
prevent the victim from giving police
descriptions but he said they
appeared to be in their 20s. One was
very tall, the second stocky and the
third thin.
Anyone with information about the Anger after another crash
robbery should call PC Leo Fordham
at Harlow Police Station on 101.
Labour hopeful Suzy
named ‘one to watch’ closes M11 for six hours
THE general election fortunes of
Harlow Labour candidate Suzy Stride
have been given a boost after she was
named one of six political women to
waWtcrhit oinugt fionr h ienr 2b0l1o5g. on The Telegraph Star Reporters the approach to the slip road at junction 6. on the motorway. Horrible.” junction 7.”
website, journalist and Channel 4 [email protected] After an initial collision involving a Therewere alsoreportsof somemotor- Answeringcriticism thatvehicleswere
newsreader Cathy Newman described Nissan Micra and a Skoda Octavia, a ists usingthe hard shoulder inboth dir- allowed tojoin thesouthbound carriage-
Ms Stride as the “l i t t l e - k n ow n ” THE Highways Agency has defended its VolkswagenPassatthen collidedwitha ectionswhile peoplewere seenwalking wayat junction8andthen divertedoffat
parliamentary hopeful for Harlow who handling of the aftermath of a five-car Ford Mondeo and a Ford Fusion. back towards junction seven. junction 7,she said:“Unnecessarily clos-
is “cockney and proud of it”. crash on the M11 which closed a stretch of Three people who suffered serious Diversions wereput inplace butsome ing the motorway a junction further away
“Stride is hoping to displace Robert the motorway at Harlow for more than six injuries were taken totwo London hos- motorists caught up in the congestion took would have caused extra congestion, espe-
Halfon as MP for Harlow. That’s a tall hours andleft motorists trappedin their pitalswhile threeotherswere treatedat to social media networks to criticise the cially on local roads.
order as he’s very popular locally and carsfor overfour hoursin theresulting Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. handling of the aftermath. “Thediversionroutes weusearepre-
has enjoyed a high profile in t a i l b a ck s. Firefightershad touse specialcutting This weeka spokesman forthe High- planned and agreed with local authorities
Westminster but if anyone can do it Six people were injured in the five-car equipment tofree two of theinjured from ways Agency said: “Drivers were directed and the emergency services. We are con-
Stride can,”she wrote. pile-up which happened in heavy rain on the wreckage of their vehicles. to use the hard shoulder past the scene just fident that we made the best decision in the
Also on the list were Home Secretary the southbound carriageway of the motor- One motorist caught up in the con- before the road reopened. Before that, our c i rc u m s t a n c e s. ”
Theresa May, Conservative MP Penny way shortly before 1pm on Saturday. gestion said adog was killed inthe acci- traffic officers cleared traffic stuck behind Officers at the Chigwell road policing
Mordaunt and vice-chair of Labour’s According to policeaccident investiga- dent.Nadiade Carvalhotweeted:“T here the incident, turningdrivers around and unit are appealing for witnesses to the
election campaign Lucy Powell. tors, it occurred in slow-moving traffic on was a dog too, flew out of the window, dead directing them up the motorway to exit at accident to contact them on 101.
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harlowstar.co.uk HSH-E01-S2 News Star, Thursday,January8,2015 9
Starting out the
New Year with
special arrivals
Families celebrate arrival of baby boys
Gemma Gardner
g e m m a . g a rd n e r @ h e r t s e s s e x n e w s . c o . u k
THE festive periodwill always
beextraspecial fortheparents
of two baby boys who were born
at PrincessAlexandra Hospit-
al.
Cavell Brefo-Anun, who
arrived a few days after his due
date, was born at 1.26pm on
Christmas Day,weighing inat
10lb 3oz.
For mum Nane Brefo, his
appearance on December 25
was just what she had been
hoping for.
The39-year-old, wholivesat
Bush Fair, said: “I really
wanted aChristmas babyso it
wasextra special.He wasdue
on December 29 soI’m glad he
came early.”
Baby Cavellis doingwell at
home with his mother and
brothers Glyn,20, andLavell,
fo u r.
Celebr ation
For another Harlow family, NAPPY BIRTHDAY: Above, Nane Brefo with Cavell and, below, Deirdre Bra-
the New Year will be cause for a dy with Cormac
double celebration in years to
c o m e.
Proud parents Deirdre and
Daragh Brady welcomed a new
addition totheir familywhen
baby Cormac wasborn at PAH
during the afternoon of New
Ye a r ’s Day.
Cormac entered theworld at
1.35pm, tipping the scales at 8lb
6oz and three days after his due
date of December 28.
“We ’re back and everyone is
doing really well,”said mum
D e i rd re.
Thecouple, whoalso havea
three-year son called Jack, said
that things are a bit easier
second time around.
“We ’re certainly more rela-
xed and confident this time,”
said Deirdre.
She was soon cuddling her
newbornson attheir homein
Church Langley while Jack
wasted no time in getting to
know his new baby brother.
More police officers equipped with body
cameras to record anti-social behaviour
MORE frontline police officers in tostartand stoprecordingbutif will beused to helpofficers cap-
Essexhave beenissued withthe they decide not to use the camera ture evidence from the scene of an
latest high definition body cam- they may have to justify their incident and can record high-
eras following the success of a decision in any court proceed- definition footage, including in
pilot scheme which resulted in i n g s. infra-redtogive clearfootagein
more people being charged with ChiefConstable StephenKava- reduced light and darkness. They
of fences. nagh said: “The results of that also takestill imagesand record
The trial using 70 older cam- study were very encouraging and sound.
eras was also credited with a rise thecapabilities ofthe newcam- Superintendent Trevor Roe,
in the number of early guilty eras, whichare lighterand more whoisin chargeoftheproject,
p l e a s. portable, mean that I expect them said: “Iam very hopefulthat we
Almost 400 ofthe new devices to have a positive impact . will see areduction in offending
have now been issued to uni- “I am committed to using behaviour and better all-round
formedofficersand willbeused advancesin technologytomake safetyfor membersof thepublic
in incidents of domestic abuse, the jobs of my officers easier, to and officers.”
anti-social behaviour and dis- improve crime detection and The money for the cameras, AAddvveerrttiisseeygoaumresesrovniclienseo..n. line...
o rd e r. relieve the pressure on victims whichcost £500each, hascome
All the officers have received and witnesses around giving evid- from asuccessful jointbid with
training in using the cameras. e n c e. ” Kent Police forfunding from the harlowstar.co.uk/bookonline
They will make the decision when The state-of-the-art cameras Home Office. hulldailymail.co.uk/bookonline Tel:[phone]
10 Star, Thursday,January8,2015 News HSH-E01-S2 harlowstar.co.uk
JOIN THE DEBATE 1
ON OUR WEBSITE st
nTo have your say
comment online at
h a r l owsta r .co.u k
TOP PRIORITY:The disused Odeon cinema building in West Gate is the building most Star readers would like to see rejuvenated
Old cinema tops our
wasted building poll
Former Odeon is the site you most want reused
Gemma Gardner Reader s’poll re s u l t s has been targetedby intruders searching
g e m m a . g a rd n e r @ h e r t s e s s e x n e w s . c o . u k for scrap metal.
Lastyear,planning permissiontocon-
IT’S one ofHarlow’s most-loved buildings Odeon cinema C h u rc h g a t e vertthe historicbuildinginto nineretire-
anda reminderofthevibrant pastofthe 146 votes Hotel ment properties expired.
southern part of the town centre. 38.3 per cent 26 votes Jigsaw Retirement Solutions, who
Butthe derelictOdeoncinema inWest YWCA 6.8 per cent bought the site from Harlow Council in
Gatehas seenbetterdays,and thisweek 79 votes Other 2012, told the Star they would instruct their
Star readers voted it the building they 20.7 per cent 10 votes architects toreapply forplanning permis-
would most like to see reopen. Harlow Advice 2.6 per cent sion, but so far no new application has
The cinema has remained empty since it C e n t re Other sites received by the authority.
closed almost 10 yearsago, despite a con- 67 votes suggested: Aspokesman forHarlow Councilsaid
sortium led by a local businessman buying 17.5 per cent Former theauthority wasspeaking withlandown-
the property days after it closed in Septem- Kingsmoor Passmores School ers about each site, adding that the council-
ber 2005. House site owned Harlow Advice Centre would
53 votes Maypole Club
Empty 13.9 per cent St Andrew’s re o p e n .
The Starlaunchedanonline pollafter C h u rc h Re f u r b i s h m e n t
readerscomplainedabout thenumberof H u m m i n g b i rd Hesaid: “Regardingthe AdviceCentre
empty buildings in the town and the lack of we arereviewing optionsfor thebuilding
affordable housing. apartments, half of which would be afford- andit willneedsome internalrefurbish-
The choices were made up of the former able, have so far failed to come to fruition. ment before being relet.
cinema, the YWCA inFourth Avenue, the The Starcontacted Circle Housing about “We have received no new planning
Grade II-listed Churchgate Hotel in Old the site butthey had not respondedby the applications forKingsmoor Houseand no
Harlow, Harlow Advice Centre in East Gate time we went to press. planning applications for the old Odeon
and Grade II*-listed Kingsmoor House. Both Kingsmoor House, in Paringdon Cinema.”
“What a waste of prime real estate,”said Road,and theformerChurchgate Hotelin Both the YWCAand Kingsmoor House
one voter about the YWCA, “Such a blot on Old Harlow are listedbuildings, with the are earmarked for housing in the council’s
the landscape,”they added. former subject to the second highest listing local plan.
Owned by Circle Housing, the dilap- of Grade II*. Plans were approved last month for
idated seven-story YWCA building has Kingsmoor House housed council and hoardingstobeput upattheChurchgate
been empty since 2008. Plans to convert the community servicesfor 25 yearsbefore it Hotel while the new owners prepared a
building intoa “s u s t a i n abl e ”block of42 was shut in 2006. Since then the building planning application for the site.
2 3 4
nd rd th
RELET: Harlow Advice Centre EYESORE: Kingsmoor House
5
th
TOWERING PRESENCE: The YWCA
building in Fourth Avenue HISTORIC BUILDING: The Churchgate Hotel