It's raining at 10:30 as we meet at Sherards Hatch. I've suggested to residents' association chair Derek Coles that it would be a good idea to show one of the local county councillors around Moorfield. The county council is responsible for highways, and if we're to make progress with the longstanding scheme for a one-way system, it's vital that county council members and officers understand the proposals and what they're trying to achieve.

One of the county councillors from Harlow, Jenny Holland, has agreed to visit, and we gather with Derek and residents' association member Bill Noone. The 'guided tour' of Moorfield has become a well-trodden path over the years, with the residents' association working very hard to convey residents' views to councillors and council staff, police, architects and all manner of other people.

It's great to see the new fence closing off the lower tier of the garage block, something the residents' association has been working towards for years. There's also the knee rails round some of the planting on the estate, further evidence that the residents' association's hard work has borne fruit. But after the disappointment earlier in the year, when the promise of funds for a one-way system was withdrawn at the last minute, it would be good to see results from all the consultation that's gone into drawing up the traffic scheme.

Over coffee in Bill's house, we agree that it would be sensible to seek a meeting with county council highway officers, so that we can find out what's possible.

Tomorrow (Wednesday 27 July) sees the opening of the town's paddling pools for the summer, including the pool at Staple Tye. The pools are scheduled to stay open until Friday 2 September.

Tomorrow also sees the first day of Harlow Council's summer Sports Play activities for children. Sport, arts and crafts, and games will be available with the sports play team every weekday during the school summer holidays in a different venue each day of the week. Wednesday is Staple Tye's weekly sports play day, from 10:30 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 4:30 next to the Staple Tye paddling pool.

Call Harlow 446404 or 446405 for more information.

The new Chinese garden at the Chinese Centre is formally opened today, and I'm delighted to be among the guests invited to join in the celebrations.

Not even the pouring rain can dampen the enthusiasm of the Chinese community and nearby residents, as a tree is planted and the pagoda in the middle of the new garden is declared open. Even the football game is going ahead, notwithstanding the weather.

Mr Man's speech recognises the contribution of Groundwork Hertfordshire and Harlow Council in making the new garden possible. Then there's the traditional 'lion dance', and some of the girls perform a dance with fans, before we break for lunch.

An exciting programme of summer activities for young people aged 13-17 kicks off on 1 August, thanks to Harlow Council working in partnership with the Essex Youth Service.

Canoeing, kayaking, climbing and abseiling are among the events on offer for sports enthusiasts, while drama, cooking, hip hop dance and a forest night walk are on the menu for those with other interests. There's ice skating, self defence, fun swims, and more - and all for only £2 per session.

In addition, there are free drop-in youth sessions from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on specified dates throughout the summer at Sumners, Potter Street and the Town Park bandstand.

A booking form is available from the council, and the contact is sports development officer Helen Offord on 01279 446417.

Congratulations to the Gateway Centre, in Perry Road, for being shortlisted for an award for the work it is doing in the local community. The centre opened in April, and offers childcare and after school activities, as well as other facilities.

The award is given by waste company Biffa, and the award ceremony takes place on Friday 23 September. The Gateway Centre's official opening is the following day.

A big thank you from the Staple Tye team to Staple Tye Online reader Scott Brannon of Old Harlow, who very kindly sent us this picture of Staple Tye shopping centre in years gone by.

The picture certainly jogged a few memories here, of the shopping centre as it used to be before 'concrete cancer' claimed the structure and the whole area had to be rebuilt.

Have you any old photographs of the Staple Tye area that you'd like to share with the team? Let us know!

The mini roundabouts on Southern Way, where Essex County Council and contractors May Gurney have been carrying out roadworks near Latton Bush, should be restored in the next couple of weeks. The delay has been caused by a wait for the electricity board to reconnect the lights.

The group leading the Maunds Hatch renovation project met tonight.

From today, thanks to a new partnership between Harlow Welfare Rights & Advice and the local GP practice, local residents will have a monthly opportunity to get advice at Staple Tye's Lister House surgery about their entitlement to Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and associated benefits.

On the first Wednesday of each month, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, a welfare rights adviser from Harlow Welfare Rights & Advice will be present at the surgery to guide you through the claims process. You don't have to be a resident of the Staple Tye area, or even a patient at Lister House, to use the service.

Disability Living Allowance is payable to qualifying claimants under the age of 65, and Attendance Allowance is for those aged 65 and over. Qualifying for either of these benefits can also in some cases lead to entitlement to other benefits, like housing benefit or council tax benefit.

If you can't get to Lister House today, or on the first Wednesday in future months, don't forget that Harlow Welfare Rights & Advice can be contacted on (01279) 446622.

Ryelands housing board - the board responsible for Berecroft - met tonight. Staple Tye councillors Su Lawton and Mike Faccini are both members of the board.

The Staple Tye ward advisory group met tonight. Its next meeting is on Tuesday 6 September, at 7:00pm at the council office at Staple Tye. All residents in the Staple Tye ward are entitled to attend.

Today is councillors' surgery at the Staple Tye council office. In among other queries, two neighbours pop in together about the incessant playing of ball games outside their homes - there's a limit to residents' tolerance when footballs are constantly kicked against your walls and windows, destroy your front garden and end up on your roof.

Staple Tye bookworms will be delighted that many more services from Essex libraries are now available online. The new online ELAN system allows local readers to find books in libraries across Essex, view their own record - and even reserve books from other libraries in the county for collection in Harlow! To log in, you'll need the bar code on your Essex library card.