HARLOW is a great ‘family town’. Residents value a safe and secure home for kids and parents. Long may that continue! So now it’s a tough time. We are going to feel the pinch of the growing cost-of-living rise terribly.  At the Foodbank we awaited…

ST CLARE Hospice has been recognised for its delivery of end-of-life care to people across west Essex at a national awards ceremony in London this week. The Our Health Heroes Awards champion people at the heart of the healthcare system who work to achieve better…

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon and Hertford and Stortford MP Julie Marson met up with Marc from Bridget’s Tea Room in Parliament yesterday to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. The event comes just days before the landmark Down Syndrome Bill becomes law. Mrs Marson and Mr…

IT has been a busy time for Harlow Scouts over the last few weeks. Recently, the Harlow and District Scouts visited the Nuclear Races with over 200 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and younger leaders talking part in the muddy obstacle course. The scouts used their…

CONSERVATIVE Councillors representing Harlow’s southern wards have secured a commitment from Essex County Council to do more to tackle speeding on Commonside Road, including a review of traffic calming measures on the road. This comes after the issue was raised at Harlow Council’s Highways Panel…

MIND in West Essex to host Family Wellbeing in the park

THE public donation point at the Harlow Civic Centre has now been open for nearly two weeks and the response so far from residents, local groups and businesses has been overwhelming.  On Tuesday the first delivery of donated items (around 122 boxes) were made to…

HRH the Earl of Wessex and HRH the Countess of Wessex visited Integration Support Services on Tuesday 1st March.  Their Royal Highnesses were introduced to the charity’s staff,volunteers, service users, trustees and partners. Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Vincent Thomson Councillor Maggie Hulcoop, Vice-Chair of Harlow District Council and Mr Brian Keane, Chief Executive of Harlow District Council. The visit enabled the dignitaries to meet and speak first hand to service users, who were able to describe their individual traumatic journeys, the support they needed and received, and how they have embraced, the healing process. This included real life experiences of people struggling with various issues such as isolation, language barriers, domestic violence, hate crime, honour abuse, immigration status, and being unaccompanied minors. A spokesperson said: “It’s not always easy to share difficult, and often challenging, experiences and ISS thank our clients for being open to sharing what they have been through and highlighting these real life struggles. “Some of our visitors also observed a lively talking group at Falcon English School, where the students were also able to share their experiences. Much of what was echoed during the visit, from our service users, was feelings of joy and appreciation to have an opportunity to take part in such an event”. Founded in 2005, Integration Support Services (ISS) is a small charity based in Harlow. The charity’s mission is to help facilitate the successful integration of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and members of Ethnically…

A CHARITY bake sale will take place on Saturday in Harlow. It is in aid of Bliss. Bliss exists to give every baby born premature or sick in the UK the best chance of survival and quality of life.

WELL done to Szymon and Joanie at 2nd Great Parndon Scouts for winning the latest rounds of Jack Petchey awards. They used the money to take the Cubs and Scouts Scuba Diving!

WEDNESDAY was Young Carers Action Day. A national day which seeks to raise awareness of  Young Carers across the UK. The last census estimated the number of Young Carers in the UK as being 700,000 with 10,000 of them living in Essex.  The reality is…

HARLOW Council has started a programme of installing solar PV panels on its buildings as it takes the lead in reducing the town’s carbon emissions. The project is being funded in full by Salix via the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (Phase 1). Last year the council…

A HARLOW mum whose teenage son was killed in 2006 wants to bring The Knife Angel to the town. Tommy Jones was stabbed to death outside a London pub. The subsequent trial saw the man accused walk free. Since then, Mel Hopwood has campaigned for…