We can only cover a brief selection here. For lists of events, and local organisations, see

Regular events

Loughton Town Council list of local organisations

Loughton Town Council: Think Loughton

Events and activities in the Forest

Everything Epping Forest

Up and Coming Events

The Loughton Festival
The Festival, which takes place this March and April, includes two months of events, including history events, two art exhibitions, concerts and other fundraising events for Haven House Children's Hospice. The full programme is now up on the website

Loughton Hall Open Days
When this beautiful Grade 2 listed building in Rectory Lane was converted to its present use, LRA were very concerned that residents might lose any chance to see inside. We are very grateful to the owners for the opportunities they are giving for residents to make visits – check their website for dates. Please go along, and encourage them to do it again.

Kenneth More Theatre. Last year, Redbridge Council threatened the theatre with closure, despite its value to the borough. Residents’ protests have forced them to re-think, and a new lease will be granted. Take a look at what’s on at http://www.kmtheatre.co.uk/

Saturday February 18th Quiz in aid of Copped Hall Trust, Theydon Bois village hall. Tickets Frances Dennett (01992 610713). http://www.coppedhalltrust.org.uk/

Monday February 20th The Bats of Epping Forest, talk/presentation. 7.30 for 7.45pm, Roding Room, Wanstead House. All welcome. Wren Group members 31, others £2.50. More.

Snowdrops at Willow Cottage, between Abridge & Ongar. Now open on Sundays, free. Events programme for 2012 in course of preparation. Garden blog and directions: More.

LRA Public Meeting & AGM Monday March 12th, 7.45 for 8pm. Please put the date in your diary now. Speaker Dr Chris Pond.

Saturday March 17th: First World War Day-school at Loughton Cricket Club, 11 The Uplands. A unique opportunity to hear four expert speakers talking about the First World War from both an international and a local perspective. There will be time for questions. £22 per ticket, including lunch. More.

Friday 23rd March. Jazz evening, The American Song Book at the Murray Hall, Borders Lane, performed by Claire Harper and her musicians. Tickets are now on sale This performance will form part of the 2012 Loughton Festival. More.

April 9th – 16th: Loughton Festival Art Displays at the Church of the Holy Innocents, High Beach; there will also be an art exhibition at the Loughton Arts Centre throughout April. More.

Debden Day 2012: Saturday June 2nd. on The Broadway.

June 22nd: Whitebridge School is celebrating its 60th anniversary. If any ex-pupils would like to attend please contact LRA Cllr David Wixley (020 8418 9284).

Howzat! Festival: Sunday July 1st.on Loughton Cricket Ground

Sunday July 15th. Family Fun Day on the Roding Valley Recreation Ground. Organised by the Restore Community Church – venue provided by Loughton Town Council. More details nearer the time.

New Community Centre at 68, The Broadway, from mid-February
A place to drop in, enjoy a friendly welcome and a listening ear, find out about services offered by different organisations, or even learn some computer skills! A health visitor will be there one day a week, plus an art group, 2 police surgeries a month, smoking cessation and involvement from a children’s centre. There are plans for youth activities once a week, and support for victims of domestic abuse too. It will be open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8.30am 5.30pm. Any questions to Judy Lovell (Restore Community Church) on 07833 226 713. [The LRA Plans Group looked closely at the planning application to change the shop in The Broadway from retail use; we were very happy to support it provided that the Council added a condition that, if at any time the community use ceases, the shop must go back to retail use, which the Council agreed to do.]

Regular Library events: Website

Organic Farm trail, Ashlyns Farm, Epping Road, North Weald. Farm animals, lamas, emus, alpacas and meercats. More.

Museum exhibition celebrating 30 years
It’s the 30th anniversary of Epping Forest District Museum. There’s a special exhibition showing the life and work of the museum over the last 30 years, till 3 March 2012. More.

Loughton Arts Centre and Lopping Hall

The Arts Centre is in the shop next to the Hall’s High Road door - see the professional-style art exhibitions (next to the main entrance); now open Monday –Saturday, 9.30am – 4pm. Local people working in any form of arts and crafts can drop in or ask for information or send photos of their work to their email address. They are also happy to display leaflets or posters. More

Who uses Lopping Hall? Details and events

Newsletters: if you’d like to keep abreast of events and the exciting developments at the Hall, email Jean Cooper to be put on their mailing list.

Loughton Film Society
Loughton Film Society has been formed to bring the cinema experience back to Loughton. They aim to show good quality films as soon as they are made available to film societies by the film distributors, often before release on DVD. They’d like to know if there is a particular genre of film that appeals to you as they are also looking at smaller venues to show less well known films alongside those that enjoy a wider cinema distribution. Annual membership (priority booking) is £10, adults; £6, 16-18 year olds. Details on their website http://ww.filmloughton.co.uk, or email contactus@filmloughton.co.uk, or call Denise on 07912 079367.

Loughton Astronomical Society
The Society meets on Thursday evenings 8 - 10pm in the Scout Hall, off Loughton Lane, Theydon Bois (next to the Cricket Club). Guests are always welcome (all levels of experience from the absolute beginner to the experienced astronomer). The programme includes astronomy, cosmology, stars, planets, space travel, space probes and the universe around us. If you would like to look through one of their telescopes then just turn up to an “observing” evening (weather permitting).

Astrokyds: junior section for younger observers, aged 6-14, meets every second Friday of the month (except April and August) at 6:30pm in St. Mary's Church Hall, next to the Village Hall, Theydon Bois. Youngsters must be accompanied by a responsible adult or guardian (who may also enjoy the evening).

Meeting dates, map and other information can be found here and here

Debden Library