Leisure

LRA takes a great interest in the development and improvement of leisure facilities, and the retention of recreational and other open land.

Venue for hire?
The Loughton area lacks commercial facilities - cinema, bowling, music venues - which people would welcome nearer to home. The councils and voluntary clubs and organisations are struggling for cash, affordable premises and adult volunteers. The Town Council may be able to advise on local halls and facilities for hire, to help deal with the problem.

Community centre
LRA supported the community centre planned by the Town Council in partnership with Essex County Council, in Borders Lane. (see Community Centre)

Loughton Youth Project has formally opened The Space, next to Loughton Library, in Traps Hill, offering facilities including a cafe bar, pool table, magazines and wifi. Also on offer are a number of media-based programmes using radio pod-casting, video, magazine design and photography. The Space marks the end of two years of planning and £100,000 worth of fund-raising from Nick Robinson, the Loughton Youth Project manager.

Sports facilities
The Town Council is now in charge of sports pitches, with a number on the Roding Valley recreation ground, and the Willingale Road site, together with some tennis courts on the Roding Valley.

Westall Road refurbishment project.
The Town Council has made a successful bid to the Playbuilder Grant Scheme and has been awarded £50,000. One of the reasons that the Westall Road project was promoted by the District Council for this funding was that Loughton Town Council has a proven track record in delivering similar playground enhancement schemes. The Recreation Committee had already budgeted £15,000 this year for this refurbishment, giving a total available budget of £65,000.

Footpath obstructions or other problems?
If you’re out walking this summer in the countryside and come across a problem, please do report it at http://ehss.essexcc.gov.uk/prow_details.asp .

If you’d like a detailed guide of what the rules are, and what to do, please email me at david.linnell@loughtonresidents.co.uk

Epping Forest Official Map £4.95 from Epping Forest Visitor Centre, High Beech (020 8508 0028)