The Stansted Flyer Magazine January ’26
Welcome to the Stansted Flyer magazine January ’26 edition. Amongst the community news and local events in this magazine issue there’s a great choice of things to do. With many events coming up, alongside your community news, this is a full issue as usual.
The Stansted Flyer Magazine January ’26 Update and Welcome
Letter from the Editor
Welcome to your first Flyer magazine of 2026; we’ve plenty of news and events to take you through January and beyond. I’m looking forward to the gentle lengthening of the afternoon daylight and to wrapping up warmly to go on ‘blow the cobwebs away’ winter walks with family and friends. The Hundred Parishes Society has so many free self-guided walking routes that you’ll be spoilt for choice with ideas from them.
If you’re interested in learning something new why not access a range of free courses via your library card? Topics include those linked to careers, leisure and our wellbeing. You can sign up with your Essex library card number. Still on a library theme, the Essex Libraries Winter Reading Challenge is on (10th January to the 22nd February) and it’s aimed at up to age 12, but there’s also a challenge activity for adults! Why not call in to your library to find out more about what is happening? In addition, the Saffron Walden Museum would be pleased to welcome visitors and potential volunteers, just check their website for opening times and further details.
Do you like music? There’s a concert at St John’s Church in Stansted (17th January) from the Bishop’s Stortford Sinfonia. It explores drama, discovery, and the restorative power of nature for an “uplifting start to the year”. We hear from Lynda at St Mary’s church about a busy 2025 and that there are many champing nights and bookings in the 2026 diary already. If you’d like to visit the church in 2026 you would be warmly welcomed! Plus, we’re reminded that the Gardens of Easton have three snowdrop open days ahead in February – advance bookings for these are already available through their website.
In local charity and club news there’s a report from Toe Beans Cat Rescue, a volunteer-run charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming cats and kittens across Uttlesford. We also hear from Support 4 Sight who are pleased to be welcoming two new people to the team. Claire joins as Engagement Officer and Tommy as the Office and Events Coordinator. Additionally, as the winter months continue, St Clare Hospice is encouraging anyone who is struggling with grief to reach out to GriefLine (01279 945089) – it’s free, confidential telephone helpline for people coping with the loss of a loved one.
To support those with dementia and their carers the TouchPoint team have launched the “Memory Lane Cafe” which is a new weekly free session open every Monday morning. Plus, we’re reminded by St Clare Hospice about their Dementia Café in Saffron Walden, for those caring for or living with someone affected by dementia. It takes place every Wednesday and Thursday morning. You’re encouraged to get in touch if you are interested in finding out more about these cafes.
Sustainable Stansted has sent us an article this time which highlights some of their 2025 activities and plans for 2026. These include further work on the quality of water in the parish as well as implementing ideas from the biodiversity study like swift and owl boxes, information displays and rewilding. It sounds very interesting and informative.
Thank you to everyone who sends us local community editorial and supports the Flyer, we hope you enjoy reading this New Year issue.
With best wishes
Stephanie Adams, Editor