The Sampfords Parish Council

04/08/2026

Do you have some spare time to join the Parish Council?

We currently have two vacancies on the council and would welcome applications from within Great and Little Sampford, particularly the latter.
We typically meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:15 for a couple of hours in the Village Hall. Joining the council will provide you with an opportunity to have the future of our parish.

Regular topics covered are: finance, planning, village maintenance, management of the recreation ground, updates from both County and District councillors, liaison with other parish organisations.

We are looking for additional resources to provide input to events, working with other parish organisations and local fund raising, or just to join a great team in guiding the future of the parish.

Please, please get in touch if you are interested and want volunteer a little time each month to put something back into this adorable parish that we live in!

To register your interest please use the contact details on the PC website, or email the Clerk at [email protected]

04/08/2026

A BIG, BIG THANK YOU

To all those who responded to our community fund raising for a new picnic table and new benches for the Recreation Ground, a massive thank you. We hit our target of £1,500.00 (all but £30) and the order has been submitted for the new furniture which we hope will arrive later in August.

We''ll update you when the furniture arrives!!

20/03/2026

Dear residents

PLEASE SEE MESSAGE BELOW FROM UTTLESFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL

You may have seen the government announcement of £53m of support for vulnerable households who rely on heating oil.

The support will be targeted to help low-income households in rural communities affected by the recent surge in costs.

The additional funding will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which comes into effect on 1 April and replaces the temporary Household Support Fund.

Locally, the fund will be administered by Essex County Council. Please direct residents to them, not UDC.

If help is needed before the Crisis and Resilience Fund starts in April, people can apply to local councils (Essex County Council) for support, but any cash would need to be from existing pots of money.

The Cost of Living Support section on our website has been updated to make it clear who enquiries should be made to if residents need help with their heating costs.

Our officers will also be attending pan-Essex meetings next week and will work to ensure available funds are distributed equitably to those in need.

Regards,


Daniel Barden
Communications Manager

10/03/2026

Finchingfield Bridge - Temporary Closure for repairs

Following a vehicle strike to Finchingfield Bridge last week, engineers have inspected the structure and have planned necessary repairs to the damaged parapets.
These works are due to begin on Monday 16 March and are expected to take approximately five days to complete.
To keep everyone safe, the B1053 at Finchingfield Bridge will be fully closed 24/7 hours a day during the works, with arrangements in place to allow emergency services and bus services are able to pass through the works when needed.
Signed diversion routes will be in place for all other vehicles.
We urge all drivers to take additional care when travelling in the area, allowing extra time and following all signage in place.
Please be aware that dates may change at short notice if we experience unsuitable weather conditions, or if unexpected issues arise.

23/02/2026

Please be aware Essex Highways crews are expected to be in the Sampfords / Thaxted during the w/c 2nd March 2026 carrying out repairs. They will be fixing issues in Thaxted Road, Great Sampford Road, Dunmow Road and High Street as part of the Members’ Highway Initiative.

You will be able to access live updates from the Members portal on the Essex Highways website.

19/02/2026

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1)
Temporary Traffic Regulation Order of Sampford Hall Lane, Little Sampford
Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=GB147384397 to find details of the intended closure of Sampford Hall Lane, due to commence on 18th March 2026 for 2 days.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while Openreach undertakes telegraph pole replacement and cabling works.
Regards,
Essex Streetworks Team
Highways

18/02/2026

09/02/2026

Essex County Council are working with a research organisation to help better understand changes in bus usage among individuals eligible for concessionary bus passes (free travel for older and disabled residents).

A survey is currently live until Monday 2 March 2026, inviting older and disabled residents of Essex to take part. The short survey asks about travel habits and perceptions of bus use. The insights gathered will support Essex County Council in improving bus services and accessibility for these groups across the county.

This survey is being promoted through a range of engagement methods, including collaboration with key organisations, group sessions, on‑street engagement, and communication via TravelEssex and Essex County Council online channels.

To further extend our reach among the target audience, we would be grateful if you could share the survey through your parish or town council communication channels, such as your website, social media, e‑newsletters, printed newsletters, and display the attached poster in high‑traffic areas within your community.

www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EssexBusSurvey/

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards

Rhiannon Meddemmen | Marketing & Communications Officer
Essex County Council | Integrated Passenger Transport Unit

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.