As part of our new monthly community news section, our reporters take a look back over what has been going on in the last four weeks.
With so much happening in Dunmow, this is the place to catch up on the bits you might have missed and what to look out for in the coming weeks.
Great Dunmow Town Council is seeking volunteers for the Tourist Information Office in the town’s library.
The council asks that if you are friendly, have knowledge of the local area, and can spare one morning a week to please contact the town clerk on 01371 872406.
A public vote has opened to choose a brand new sausage flavour in celebration of an Essex farm marking 50 years of business.
Wicks Manor, in Tolleshunt Major, started the competition – the Great Sausage Mash Up – to celebrate half a century of pig farming.
It launched in early July, with food fans encouraged to invent their own pork sausage flavour no matter how wild, wacky or traditional.
Now, the farm has short-listed three recipes which will be put to a public vote – one of which will be made into a real, limited edition sausage.
The choices are pork with honey, pork with chorizo and pork with sundried tomato.
The vote is open until September 14.
To vote, visit wicksmanorcompetition.com.
Uttlesford District Council has announced it will get tough on council tax debtors who fail to respond to requests for information.
Those who have a liability order awarded at court against them will be asked to provide details of their employer or other sources of income, and this must be provided to the council within 14 days.
Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to £500, and anyone who knowingly gives false information could face a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction, as well as legal costs.
Councillor Howard Rolfe, leader of the council, said: “Uttlesford has one of the highest council tax collection rates in the country and the majority of payers will be unaffected by this tougher approach to recovery of debts.”
He added: “We are committed to providing the best service to our residents and this is another tool that will allow us to protect the public purse.”
The Bell Inn, in Great Bardfield, hosted a farmers’ market earlier this month, with crowds turning out to browse a variety of goods on offer.
The event was the third market held, with plans for one to take place on the first Saturday of the each month.
At the August market, visitors got the chance to buy jewellery, cards and produce including eggs, vegetables and honey.
The markets can also include cakes, bread and meats.
The next market will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm in September.
Great Dunmow was paid a visit by a cycling team raising money for hospice work earlier this month.
Staff from Redrow Homes, which is based in Laindon, near Basildon, cycled 100 miles across Essex as part of a fundraising effort for The J’s Hospice.
As well as Thundersley, Witham and Braintree, the group also passed through The Brambles, in Great Dunmow, before returning to their base by 5pm.
Ashley Pursey, one of the riders, said: “We all live fairly local and so were familiar with the roads, we just had to plan the best route. The most any of us had ridden in training was 70 miles so the last 30 miles was no man’s land.
“It helped that we were riding as a team and could all take a turn at the front to keep the wind off the rest of the riders.”
A funeral directors which has branches in Dunmow, Halstead and Braintree is planning its annual golf day to raise funds for three local children.
Daniel Robinson & Sons will host the event on September 13 at Colne Valley Golf Club, in Earls Colne, and will see more than 130 golfers take part.
Last year £40,000 was raised for a young boy undergoing intensive physiotherapy treatment.
This time, three other children in similar positions will benefit from the cause – Summer, Aiden and Lyncoln.
Phil Barrow, manager, said: “This is again another opportunity for us as a community to unite to help these families and together we will make a difference to their lives.”
To donate, visit drobinson.co.uk/2017-charitable-golf-day.
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