40 RARE FLOWER The rare oxlip could be saved from extinction in Great Bardfield thanks to a £21,000 grant from English Heritage (May 4). The delicate spring flower can only be found in a few areas of East Anglia and just 100 are believed to be in the vi

40 RARE FLOWER

The rare oxlip could be saved from extinction in Great Bardfield thanks to a £21,000 grant from English Heritage (May 4). The delicate spring flower can only be found in a few areas of East Anglia and just 100 are believed to be in the village. There are believed to be a few surviving oxlips in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

39 NEW LIBRARY

Top children's illustrator, Ian Beck, opened Felsted Pre-Prepatory School's new library and talked to children about his work (May 11). The illustrator, who was shortlisted for the Best Book for Babies, discussed the creation and development of characters before cutting the ribbon.

38NEW MAYOR

Dunmow's ambitious new mayor, Cllr Frank Silver, plans to spearhead an impressive year of fund-raising schemes to raise money for good causes (May 11). The 74-year-old, Highfields resident was unanimously voted into the role and has been a member of Dunmow Town Council for the last eight years and a councillor at Uttlesford District Council for three.

37 RICE AWARDS

Legendary lyricist, Sir Tim Rice, presented drama awards to two students at Felsted School (May 11). The 61-year-old Oscar winner gave awards to sixth former Victoria Lee and year 11 student Nicholas Roberts. Both are to join national youth drama and musical companies.

36 WORLD CUP

A couple from Stebbing were lucky winners in a Mastercard competition to go to the World Cup finals in Germany (May 25). Nikki Selfe and Ian Mills spent two nights in a hotel and went to the Germany-Poland game after being drawn from thousands of entrants.

35 HARD WORK

Charity worker Kerry Sneddon received a national award for her work with the Dunmow-based charity Accuro (June 1). The 22-year-old from Saffron Walden, was given a Jack Petchey Foundation Award by Jack Petchey and former-soap star, Patsy Palmer, for her three and a half years work for the charity.

34 CELEBRATION

Centenarian Rose Sole relaxed with friends to celebrate her 105th birthday in Dunmow on Thursday (June 15). Mrs Sole, who has lived through two world wars and five monarchs, received her second telegram from the Queen, as she turned 105. Friends and other residents of the Alan Hasler House care home, in New Street, enjoyed coffees and biscuits the day before.

33 WHAT A MILL!

Restoration work carried out to a water mill and house in Stebbing has put the architect in the running for a national award (June 15).

Kay Pilsbury Architects in Saffron Walden were called in by Andrew and Jacqueline Martin of Town Mill in Mill Lane to draw up the plans. They were among 10 finalists from the East of England hoping to win the 2006 Royal Institute of British Architects Awards.

32 FUN DAY

The Community Association of Duton Hill presented the Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) group with a cheque for £2000. (June 15). The money was raised at their fun day, which had stalls, games, and BBQ and teas, dancing displays as well as a dog show. The theme for the event was Save our Environment.

31 POSTMAN PAT

Pupils at Ford End Primary School had an exciting visit from Postman Pat when he came to the opening of their play area (June 22). The play area comprises a large lawn, a garden area with a range of play equipment, a roadway with speed-bumps for ride on toys and a huge play house. The playhouse was named the Rainbow House by foundation stage pupil Brooke Frodsham.