Lighting the town up for Christmas

With Christmas shopping nights in full swing, it's lovely to see the Town Centre looking sparkling with its Christmas lights.

The Water Gardens itself...

Water Gardens Shopping...

...and Broadwalk

Remember also that there is currently free parking at Water Gardens (Asda) car park on Thursday evenings, and the Harvey Centre shops are open late for Christmas shopping.

Merry Christmas!

Wings Cafe, North Weald

Did you know that there are two cafes over at North Weald Airfield? Both are open to the public, and the newest - Wings - has now been open for business for ten weeks and things are thriving!

First thing you notice about the lovely light airy cafe is the great views out over the airfield - and this is a very active airfield with a lot of ex military jets buzzing about, remember, so there's plenty to watch! The Herts Air Ambulance is based right next door too, and the Paramedics, Doctors and Pilots have clearly realised the benefits of a good cafe right on their doorstep!

 Turning your attention to the menu - breakfasts are excellent - well priced and with everything from a Bacon Bap to the full "Strikemaster" to choose from.  Later in the day main meals are provided - with sausages and burgers coming from fantastic Epping butchers Church's. If you want something lighter then the cakes look superb - we'll be back to try those out soon!

While we were waiting for breakfast we heard a jet firing up and a few minutes later this Jet Provost T3 taxied by - proving my point about the airfield being good and active! This was quite quiet for a Sunday too, yet there was still plenty going on - a sunny Saturday afternoon would give you even more to see, and in the summer there will be tables outside to watch from.

 To give you an idea of the quality of the food, this was my "T5" breakfast - with one of the most generous portions of mushrooms I've had anywhere - full marks for that!  (I swapped beans for toast - something that they were more than happy to do) The pot of tea I also had was suitably generous too - close to three good cupfuls from that which is always good to find.

Public access to the airfield is good - simply approach the main gate as though you were going to the market then once through follow the red line to your left until you see the sign for Wings parking. Just remember to take care, drive slowly and cautiously, and above all remember that the planes have right of way!

Wings Cafe North Weald is open from Tues - Sun - 9.30am - 5pm


This post has been written as an entirely honest and independent review and without the knowledge or input of the cafe. 

We Will Remember Them...

Being unable to attend Harlow's Service of Remembrance today, I went to the War Memorial to pay my respects on Friday morning. For those who don't know, our War Memorial can be found in the Town Park, adjacent to the Greyhound pub and the large car park.

While I was there I met a lovely chap from the British Legion - Bob. He would usually have been out selling poppies he told me, but had come along to check that the memorial gardens were spruce and tidy ready for the service. What he discovered fell below standards, so he set to mowing grass and tidying. I spent half an hour happily wielding a broom for him - half an hour of my time to honour those who have lost their lives serving their country didn't seem like very much, I was extremely pleased to be able to help.

If you have attended the Service at the memorial this morning, or have watched the parade marching down to it, then spare a moment to think of the thousands of 'Bobs' all over the country, giving their time willingly to organise parades, sell poppies, and clean war memorials. Wear your poppy with pride.

This stone commemorates those from the town who have lost their lives in service to their country since 1945. Sadly there are apparently more names to be added to it.

"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

North Weald

North Weald Airfield is familiar with most Harlow-ites for its regular Saturday and Bank Holiday markets - but it has a place in history far more important than that.

Airfield Memorial & Former Station Office - now a museum

Royal Flying Corps Station North Weald Bassett first opened in 1916, and played a part in protecting London from the Zepellin raids of World War I, but found its finest hour acting as a frontline airfield during World War II and the Battle of Britain, with Hurricanes, Blenheims and Spitfires operating.

In the course of WW2 the now RAF North Weald station played host to many Squadrons including those made up of Foreign nationals - Americans, Czechs, Poles and also Norwegians. There is still a strong link maintained to this day with the people of Norway and part of the Airfield Memorial is a stone obelisk given by the Norwegians.

After the war NW continued as an operational airfield, with Gloster Meteors and De Havilland Vampires being commonly seen in the skies overhead in the late 1940's, and later the Hawker Hunters of 111 squadron moved in - known as the Black Arrows. Interestingly one of the aircraft you are most likely to see flying from North Weald these days is a black Hawker Hunter!

In early 1958, rather fittingly, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight (then known as the RAF Historic Aircraft Flight) was moved to it's new home at North Weald, sadly its stay was to be cut short as in May of that year the RAF decided to take the step of re designating the airfield as non-operational, before eventually pulling out completely in 1964.

Hangar 11 collection Kittyhawk

Today the airfield is once more alive to the sound of aviation - from the the Gnat Display Team, and Hangar 11 Collection with their Hurricane, Spitfire, Mustang & Kittyhawk - all to be seen at airshows throughout the summer months - to the Army using the field for operational training with their Apache Helicopters - now a regular sight over Harlow. The Hertfordshire Air Ambulance is also based there.

Temporary Herts Air Ambulance G-ESCI

Sources are mainly credited via links in the text. Information also from Wikipaedia.

Upcoming Event...

This coming Saturday and Sunday (15th & 16th June) The Gibberd Garden, in Partnership with Herts Essex borders Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, will be holding their annual Real Ale festival. Well worth a visit this one - up to 35 different beers available across the weekend, and they even erect a couple of marquee's in case it goes all "British Summer-ish!"

See the HEB website for more details - Gibberd Garden Beer Festival 2013