A perfect festive pick-me-up for hard-working Mums and Dads! The Thaxted Primary School PTA Christmas Market Night on Friday, November 8th gives you the chance to shop, chat and relax - a little bubble of me-time before the run-up to the big day.

All smiles at Great Bardfield Primary School on Friday 18th October as imaginations were fired by a visit from The Book Bus charity’s latest acquisition. The new bus, bought by local children’s book publisher Miles Kelly Publishing, is currently touring the UK before heading to its permanent home in Africa to help improve literacy and spread the joy of reading to kids throughout Malawi and Zambia.

Regional youth charity, Essex Boys & Girls Clubs, has been shortlisted for a Lloyds Bank Community Fund award in 2013! Although based in Chelmsford, the charity oversees youth clubs in Uttlesford including Saffron Walden, Gt Chesterfield, Newport, Thaxted & Ashdon. It is one of four good causes in the Chelmsford area with a chance of winning a £3,000 grant.

Those lovely people at Wayletts Newagents in Thaxted are giving everyone an opportunity to save this Christmas with a 20% OFF deal that covers their extensive range of toys, gifts & boxes of Christmas cards. The offer runs all the way to December 24th while stocks last - simply click Read More to print your voucher, take it along to Wayletts and redeem in-store!

Saffron Screen’s music film season continues on Sunday, October 13^th with a screening of legendary concert documentary Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day -  a celebration of rock n' roll at its most magical and magnificent! As an added bonus, local music school The Livewire Rock Academy will be performing a 30 minute classic rock set ahead of the main feature!

Local sight loss charity, Support 4 Sight, has been shortlisted for a Lloyds Bank Community Fund award in 2013! The Saffron Walden charity, which provides equipment, counselling, rehabilitation and emotional support, has a chance to be awarded a £3,000 grant from Lloyds Bank, enabling them to continue and develop their fantastic work in the local community.