Help find Joe8217s killerHall memories appeal to mark 100 years20GObserver March 13, 2008
www.hertsandessexobserver.co.ukSAWBRIDGEWORTH Contact your Sawbridgeworth reporter Eleanor Scotchbrook on 01279 866363THE family ofSheering murder
victim Joe Shipton,
pictured,
have made an impassioned plea
through the Observer
for new
information on the second
anniversary ofhis death.His brother-in-law, John Taylor,
urged people not to forget about the
61-year-old divorced father ofone
and said that his killer would be
brought to justice, however long it
took.
Mr Taylor, who is married to Mr
Shipton8217s sister, Betty, is certain the
key to solving the terrible crime lay
within Sheering and asked people
to come forward.
8220I know somebody out there
knows what happened to Joe and
they must take any new informa-
tion to the police,8221 he said. 8220Please
don8217t forget about him.8221
Detectives investigating Mr
Shipton8217s murder are no closer to
catching his killer since he was
found dead at his home in The
Plashets on March 25, 2006.
At first it was thought Mr
Shipton, who lived alone, had died
ofnatural causes after falling down
the stairs.
However, a post mortem revealed
head injuries consistent with being
bludgeoned with a heavy object,
such as a baseball bat.
Mr Taylor, who lives in Harlow,
said: 8220He was a quiet, unassuming
man, but that doesn8217t mean he was
not important or should be forgot-
ten.
8220However long it takes, we will
find out what happened to him and
I8217m sure there is new evidence out
there to be discovered.8221
Police admitted this week they
had no new leads and had exhaust-
ed all lines ofinquiry.
Despite numerous appeals for
information, including a recon-
struction on BBC TV8217s Crimewatch
UK,
they are still no closer to catch-
ing the perpetrator, they said.
The last known sighting ofMr
Shipton was by a neighbour, who
said he looked agitated and upset
on the day before he was found.
He was also seen buying Super
King Blue cigarettes at the village
shop, even though he usually
smoked roll-ups.
An Essex Police spokeswoman
said on Monday: 8220Unfortunately,
the appeals and Crimewatch
haven8217t turned up any fresh evi-
dence.
8220Although the case will never
close, until someone comes forward
with new information there8217s noth-
ing for us to follow up.
8220We still believe there are people
out there who know something
about what happened and we hope
that after two years they now feel
they can speak to police. We would
urge anyone to get in touch.8221
Anyone with information can
contact Essex police on 0300 333
4444 or Crimestoppers anonymous-
ly on 0800 555111.A SAWBRIDGEWORTH
couple have celebrated
their diamond wedding at
the social club which has
been part of their lives for
more than 50 years.
Charlie and Joan Blackaby,
of Cambridge Road, held a
party at the town8217s United
Services Club on Saturday
afternoon to mark 60 years
of marriage.
The pair were initially
friends and when Mr
Blackaby was posted to
India and Burma during the
war, they kept in touch by
letter.
When he returned and was
demobbed in 1946, their
friendship blossomed into
romance and they were
married two years later at
Great St Mary8217s Church.
Mr Blackaby, now 86, has
lived in the town since
1929 and the couple have
spent all their married life
in Sawbridgeworth.
They both joined the club
in Station Road in 1949
and became steward and
stewardess there until their
retirement in 1984.
They have three children 8211
Sandra, 59, Alan, 54, and
Ruth, 52 8211 and four
grandchildren.
The couple asked for
donations to charity
instead of presents. 8220We
felt we already had
everything we wanted,8221
said Charlie.
8220We still lead pretty active
lives and I think that8217s
really important. There8217s no
point spending your
retirement watching
television all day!8221
Joan, 82, said: 8220I think the
secret of a successful
marriage, like a lot of
things in life, is to give and
take.
8220We8217ve had some good
times and also some sad
times, but we8217ve always
pulled together and
respected one another.
8220I know fewer people
manage to stay together
these days, but I don8217t
think they give it enough of
a chance.8221A
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GILSTON village hall celebrates
its centenary this year 8211 and vil-
lagers have been asked for their
memories and artefacts for a spe-
cial display.
The hall was built by the
Bowlby family ofGilston Park in
1908, when King Edward VII was
on the throne.
Current chairman oftrustees
David Jackson is appealing for
people with old photos and other
items relating to the hall, its ori-
gins or events held there to come
forward.
The display is one ofseveral
events being planned for later this
year to officially commemorate
the milestone.
Trustees are also organising a
quiz night and supper and a cele-
bratory day for the summer.
Mr Jackson, ofPye Corner,
said: 8220The hall has stood in
Gilston and served the people here
for 100 years, so we felt it would be
nice to commemorate the cente-
nary.
8220It8217s had many uses over the
years, but still serves local people
and is a nice facility to have here.8221
The building remained part of
the Gilston Park estate until it
was presented to the local commu-
nity in 1951.
Since then it has been used as a
working men8217s club, by sports
clubs and the village playgroup,
and for private functions.
Anyone who would like to sub-
mit something for the centenary
display or could donate display
boards for the event can contact
Mr Jackson on (01279) 419404.NEWS
INBRIEFSheering tax bills
set for 16355 hikeCOUNCIL tax bills for Sheering
residents are set to rise by 2.5 per cent
next month.
The total cost for band D households
will be 1631,426.51 once the precepts for
Essex County Council, the police and
fire services and the parish council
are added. This is up from 1631,371.70.
People living in a band D property
will pay an extra 1633.51 to Epping
Forest District Council from April
now that it has set its 2008-09 budget.
The authority8217s share ofthe bill will
be 163143.01, compared with 163139.50 in
2007-08.Scout memorabilia
for centenary display EX-Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are
being invited to share their memories
to celebrate the centenary ofthe
Sawbridgeworth troop in June.
The troop is appealing for Scouting
memorabilia, including badges,
uniforms and photos, for a special
exhibition at the Memorial Hall.
There will also be a parade and
service at Great St Mary8217s Church.
For more information, call Scout
leader David Mead on (01279) 724503.Pair caught stealing
smoked salmonA 17-YEAR-OLD youth and a man
have been charged with stealing seven
1633.99 packs ofsmoked salmon from
Budgens in Sawbridgeworth.
The teenager, from St Michael8217s Mead,
Bishop8217s Stortford, appeared at
juvenile court last Friday.
Michael Hall, 23, ofManor Road,
Stansted, has been bailed to attend
magistrates8217 court on March 28.
Two people were arrested last
Thursday afternoon.
A Herts police spokesman said that
one was detained by a shop staff
member and the other, who ran off,
was later detained.Drink-drive
chargeA 29-YEAR-old man from Gilston has
been charged with drink-driving after
police stopped his car in London
Road, Spellbrook, in the early hours of
Sunday. He has been bailed to appear
at Hertford Magistrates8217 Court on
April3.Cannabis cautionPOLICE have cautioned a 56-year-old
man after he was found in possession
ofa small bag ofherbal cannabis in a
vehicle in the car park at Pishiobury
Park, Sawbridgeworth, on Saturday
evening. The man lives in Harlow.DEVOTED: Charlie and Joan Blackaby celebrate their anniversary with a
congratulatory card from the Queen and commemorative cakes Photo: MGQ7JLJR-04ON THE TRAIL: Trustee David Jackson outside Gilston village hallPhoto: D3MPFKKR-02 By
Eleanor Scotchbrookscotchbrooke@hertsessexnews.co.uk 01799 520860The White RoomsIPL Permanent Hair ReductionFreedom from embarrasing
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