LONGWOOD Primary Academy has introduced a Meditation Pod to help combat stress for staff and pupils but also part of a culture to be more resilient. YH went down to the Paringdon Road school to speak to innovative headteacher, James Hollinsley and find out more.…

More standard seats on Greater Anglia trains as First Class to end on most trains from January 2020 EXTRA seats will be available for everyone on Greater Anglia trains from 2 January 2020, when the train company is ending first class on all services except…

FASHION and home furnishings retailer Laura Ashley will close about 40 stores in the UK as it plans to expand its presence in China. Laura Ashley, which is owned by Malayan United Industries (MUI), has already closed some 40 UK stores since 2015. There is…

ON Monday 17th December footballers from West Ham’s under 23 team paid a visit to the Hastingwood-based hospice to bring some festive cheer to the patients on St Clare Hospice’s Inpatient Unit and those visiting the Day Centre. They also brought a £1,000 donation to…

A FESTIVE atmosphere was brought to Harlow when primary school children performed at the Bandstand. Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 pupils from Little Parndon Primary Academy gave a festive carol concert at Harlow Bandstand, in the Town Park. Children sang classic carols such as…

New Councillor thanks the residents of Toddbrook Ward Dear Sir and Madam, Following being elected onto the Council on Thursday night, I would like to extend my gratitude to the residents of Toddbrook Ward who voted for me, I am very grateful for their support.…

EDUCATION watchdog, Ofsted, has praised Church Langley pre-school following a recent inspection. Ofsted visited the pre-school in November and made the following observations: 1. The management team is exceptionally strong and staff are extremely closely supervised and supported. The staff are dedicated and have exceedingly…

Students are reaching for the stars…and touching the moon. CHILDREN attending BMAT schools in Harlow have been given a once-in-a-lifetime experience thanks to BMAT STEM Academy. The school – dedicated to science, technology, engineering and maths – is one of the select few in the…

HARLOW councillors are set to discuss possible closures of libraries and respite centres at their final meeting of the year. The meeting will take place at 7.30pm in the civic offices, Water Gardens, Harlow. Libraries in Harlow Proposed by Councillor Shannon Jezzard (seconded by Councillor…

AN overhaul of the Essex fire service has been labelled “absolute madness” by the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) reports the BBC. The union’s Essex branch claimed 95% of the proposed Fire and Rescue Plan “doesn’t work”. The FBU said many aspects, such as clearing road…

NEW winter target figures for Princess Alexandra Hospital reveal that pressures on the Harlow hospital are as intensive as ever. The statistics also show that the hospital was one of ten trusts in England and Wales that had over 99% bed occupancy rates. Only 72%…

STANSTED Airport College has been officially opened at a ceremony led by Robert Halfon MP, Chair of Education Select Committee and London Stansted CEO Ken O’Toole. The College, which has opened its doors to almost 300 students for its first term, is a brand-new £11…

ST Stephen’s Church in Bush Fair have once again placed a prayer tree for Christmas outside the church. The traditionally adorned tree has a box of tags and pens at its foot for the community to come and write a prayer and spend a time…

THE 1ST Great Parndon Scout group is fighting a decision to close them down. Great Parndon Scouts have been in existence for decades and are based on First Avenue in Harlow near to the Town Park but due to a number of concerns, the Scout…