The Stansted January Flyer ’23
Welcome to your January 2023 issue of the Stansted and Dunmow Flyer. In this first issue of a new year, we hear from Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council. We hear from Hearing Help Essex. Let’s Talk Stansted! share a range of practical ideas to help boost our wellbeing and they remind us they are here to listen. And we also catch up on local school news and local groups.
Letter from the Editor Stansted January
As we start this brand new year I hope your copy of the January Flyer will be a useful place for practical information and community updates. To take you through this first month of 2023 and beyond. After what may have been a very busy end to last year, why not take a little time out to read your issue, perhaps with a warm drink?
Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council January update
This month we hear from Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council regarding cost of living support and information for local residents; including Citizens Advice sessions; warm welcomes at the library and Mountfitchet Exchange and breakfasts (Fridays), after school meals (Tuesdays) and movies (Sundays) from Touchpoint.
Let’s Talk Stansted and Other Organisations
Let’s Talk Stansted! share a range of practical ideas to help boost our wellbeing and they remind us they are here to listen. We also have an article from GriefLine, a local resource offering emotional support via telephone (01279 945089) related to grief around the loss of someone. In addition, The Surviving Winter Appeal, organised by Essex Community Foundation, is calling for donations to raise funds to support charities during increased demand for their services, and to help older and vulnerable people get through these colder months. Look inside for more on these.
Local Groups Stansted and Dunmow
Updates from local groups include upcoming talks at the u3a – ‘Murder in the Red Barn’ by Peter Maggs (19th January) and ‘Old Russia to European State ‘by David Morson (25th February) Sounds like they have a wide range of interest groups alongside this too.
Plus, we hear from Stansted business mum Abby. She’s set up a new group where working mums can get together, support each other and share practical business tips. Monthly meetings (10am) are at The King’s Arms in Stansted. Why not find out more about these groups – and others – in your Flyer?
Winter Wonderland
Do you like to wrap up and enjoy the winter landscape? You could visit Hatfield Forest; we have an article from them on what to expect at this time of year. There are also self-guided walks to try here: www.hundredparishes.org.uk/walks Perhaps you are thinking about seeing snowdrops soon? I love these delicate flowers. Snowdrop Open Days are scheduled to take place at the Forgotten Gardens of Easton Lodge on the 12th, 16th, 19th and 23rd February – weather permitting!
The Stansted and Dunmow libraries
The Stansted and Dunmow libraries remind us that they have a vast selection of ‘Reading Well’ resources, for well-being, new hobbies or interest subjects, set within their ‘Warm Space’. As well as their regular events, the Love Your Library Day will be on Saturday 18th February – why not save the date?
Local School Updates
In school updates Year 11 pupils at Forest Hall have been paired up with airport staff, who will be their mentors and share life and business experiences and support the pupils during their GCSE year. Additionally, teams from years 8 and 10 at Helena Romanes recently debated wide-ranging topics for the Dunmow and Takeley Rotary Clubs ‘Youth Speaks Debate Competition’. The competition winners will now represent Dunmow and Takeley at the District Competition in February.
We also find out that Support 4 Sight, an Uttlesford charity which supports blind and partially sighted people, has won a sight-loss sector industry award for the second consecutive year. Sounds very well deserved; there’s more about this inside.
You are always welcome to send in your community news and photos to us and thank you very much for your continued support.
With best wishes
Stephanie Adams, Editor