Essex Publications is an independent local magazine publisher serving North Weald, Epping, Thornwood, Ongar and the surrounding area.

Founded by June Peachey, Essex Publications publishes three monthly community magazines - North Weald Village Life, Epping Town Life and Ongar Local Life - bringing together local news, community information, events and local businesses.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

In August 2005, I launched North Weald Village Life.  I wanted to be more involved in the local community.  I was especially looking to attend local events with my young children and support local businesses.

At the time, I found it surprisingly difficult to find information about what was happening locally and often found out about events after they had happened.

So I decided to trial a community magazine and over 20 years later, I haven't looked back.  In fact, my very first advertiser still advertises with me today.

The aim from the beginning was simple - to strengthen the local community by giving people, organisations and businesses a place to share news, information and what's happening in the area.

More than 20 years later, that same ethos remains at the heart of Essex Publications.  I believe the magazines have succeeded because they are part of the communities they serve, rather than simply publications delivered into them.  

With a background in corporate marketing, I've worked with businesses of all sizes, including not for profit organisations, and I've always believed strongly in the importance of supporting local businesses and communities.

FROM ONE MAGAZINE TO THREE

Whilst circulating a few copies of North Weald Village Life magazine in Epping, I was constantly contacted by local residents who lived in Epping saying they wanted their own Epping magazine.

Initially I thought I would rebrand the one magazine into North Weald and Epping, and conducted some research with local North Weald residents whether they would like the magazine to be expanded to incorporate Epping. The answer was very clear and a surprise to me - they didn't want to share their magazine.

That response told me something important, North Weald Village Life had become their magazine and part of the identity of the community.

So I launched Epping Town Life over three years ago, as a magazine with it's own identity, audience and content.

Ongar Local Life was introduced in November 2025, again as a result of frequent requests for a magazine like North Weald Village Life but for Ongar.  It has been built on the same principle - a genuine local magazine created for the community it serves.

ABOUT ME

I am June Peachey, as mentioned above founder of Essex Publications and I am very hands on with all three magazines - from finding local stories and working with contributors to supporting advertisers and attending community and press events, edting and publishing the magazines.

I am also involved in a number of local networking groups, including chairing North Weald Business network group, currently chairing Epping Forest Business Group, I am on the executive committee of Epping Forest Chamber of Commerce Group and I am also members of both Epping and Ongar Pop Connect network groups.  I also attend other networking groups.  This keeps me closely connected with lots of local businesses and communities the magazines serve.

Having done this for more than 20 years, I still love what I do - particularly meeting new residents, finding out about local charities and organisations and working with local businesses.  Essex Publications has changed considerably from when I published my very first magazine in black and white on a laserjet printer at home, however my ethos has not changed.

LOOKING AHEAD

While the printed magazines remain at the heart of Essex Publications, we're also expanding our digital presence, creating more ways for local people to discover and use local businesses, find out about events in the local area and a slightly wider area, and have access to community information online.

Whether in print or online, the aim remains the same - local businesses, local stories, local connections.