ARRANGEMENTS for the centenary celebrations of Waltham Abbey town hall are continuing to be drawn up.

Last week's town council community committee heard that council officers had tracked down local residents with family links to the construction of the building including the great-granddaughters of the original builder, John Bentley and Sons.

Invitations have been sent out to Hoerstel town council and Hoerstel Twinning Association, as representatives of Waltham Abbey's twin town.

The celebrations will take place between Friday, June 25, and Sunday, June 27. A programme of events for the weekend is being drawn up.

The celebrations commemorate the centenary of the building of the town hall in Highbridge Street. The foundation stone was laid in January 1904, and the building was officially opened later the same year by Mrs A. J. Chapman, wife of the then chairman of Waltham Holy Cross Urban District Council.

Education grants up for grabs THE trustees of the Leverton Educational Foundation are looking to award grants to young people to support a specialist element of their continuing education.

Anyone who wishes to apply should be aged 25 or under, and live in the Waltham Abbey area (including High Beech, Sewardstone and Upshire).

Applications will be accepted from individuals or organisations such as schools or youth groups.

The trust provides grants for educational purposes including promoting religious instruction, to provide scholarships for a place of learning, to provide assistance with tools, instruments or books, allowances to travel abroad, coaching in athletics, sports and games, and for the study of music or the arts.

It is expected that several grants will be made. Previous grants have ranged from £50 to £200 but a larger grant could be made for an exceptional application.

Applications should be sent in the form of a letter, with the name, age, address and description of why the grant is necessary, to clerk to the trustees, Leverton Educational Foundation, c/o the parish office, 5A Greenyard, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1RD.

Applications should be made by Monday, May 31, for grants payable from September.