Anne Suslak

Secondary schools across Colchester reported strong GCSE and vocational results, with leaders praising students, staff and families for their hard work and resilience. St Helena School highlighted several pupils achieving multiple Grade 9s, while Paxman Academy reported improvement across all measures. Stanway School continued its upward performance trend, and Colne Community School described its results as exceptional, with numerous students earning top grades and Level 2 distinctions. Many students are progressing to sixth-form or further education.

The Gilberd School in Colchester is celebrating another year of strong GCSE results. Headteacher James Mitchell praised students, staff and families, highlighting both academic performance and wider achievements in leadership, community service and extracurricular activities. Several students achieved outstanding grades, including multiple grade 9s across their GCSE subjects.

St Benedict's Catholic College in Colchester celebrated its strongest GCSE results to date across religious studies, English, mathematics, science and numerous option subjects. Students achieving notable results included Wiktor Wieczorek, who earned 10 grade 9s, alongside several others recording multiple grade 9s and grade 8s. Principal Mrs Santinelli praised the Year 11 students, teachers, pastoral staff and families, and wished the students success in further education and their next steps.

Witham MP Priti Patel visited Inntel Travel’s headquarters in Feering to meet chief executive Douglas O’Neill and learn about its corporate travel, accommodation, meetings and events operations. Discussions covered the company’s growth, its contribution to the Essex economy, pressures on the corporate travel sector and the need for a competitive environment that gives businesses confidence to invest, recruit and expand.

The free Ballin’ with a Bobby basketball tournament is returning to Colchester’s Essex Sport Arena for its sixth year on August 22, welcoming young people aged seven to 18. Organized as part of a wider police and sports programme, the event aims to provide positive summer activities, strengthen relationships between young people and officers, and help divert participants from crime. Sessions will cover basketball and topics including gangs, knife crime, hate crime, consent and antisocial behaviour, with registration required through the Essex Rebels website.

Harwich Redoubt will receive more than £360,000 for essential repairs, including £246,538 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £119,212 from Historic England. The work will address leaks, damaged moat walls and plant growth at the 19th-century fort, which has been on the Heritage at Risk register since 2020. The project will also test repair techniques, expand volunteer and community opportunities, and support events including guided tours, heritage workshops and an outdoor cinema programme.

Katie Stevenson, a 38-year-old Essex mother previously treated for breast cancer, was diagnosed with incurable stage-four cancer after a seizure revealed that the disease had spread to her brain. Following surgery and further treatment, she rebuilt her confidence with support from Colchester Hospital’s cancer, psychological and neurological rehabilitation teams, retrained as a life coach, and completed the London Marathon. She now plans to grow her coaching business, spend time with her family and possibly run a half marathon.

Amphora Connect has launched a full-fibre broadband network in West Mersea, making ultrafast connectivity available to about 4,000 homes and businesses. The project included an 18-kilometre fibre link from Colchester across The Strood, developed with local partner and co-investor Birch Technical Services. The network, capable of download and upload speeds of up to 10Gbps, is part of Amphora Connect’s wider expansion across Colchester and surrounding villages. Mersea Homes became the first business customer, while the broader programme aims to reach nearly 30,000 properties.

The University of Essex has reached more than 2,600 young people in Essex and Suffolk through healthcare science workshops, talks, mentoring, online sessions and interactive activities since January 2025. Delivered through partnerships with the NHS, schools, charities, local government and industry, the programme aims to raise awareness of healthcare careers, widen participation and strengthen the future health and social care workforce. The university says its Centre for Healthcare Science has recorded 26,674 outreach encounters overall.

The East of England Ambulance Service’s Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Desk has been shortlisted in the Digitising Patient Care category at the HSJ Awards. The service uses GoodSAM Instant on Scene to connect advanced critical-care paramedics with callers by live video, enabling them to guide bystanders through CPR and defibrillator use until ambulance crews arrive. Launched as a six-month pilot in September 2025, it is moving toward seven-day operation, with early indications of improved patient outcomes and an aftercare service for survivors and bystanders. The £142,000 project was funded by NHS Charities Together through the East of England Ambulance Service Charity, in partnership with Omaze, with support from Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

The Friends of Colchester Museums will hold an autumn lecture series on Tuesday afternoons at Lion Walk Church in Colchester. The programme runs from September 1 to October 27 and covers Colchester carvings, Squadron Leader Tom Cullen, arsenic poisoning in Essex, the Bayeux Tapestry, and a final memorial lecture whose subject has not yet been announced. The schedule was moved from evenings to make attendance easier for older members. Admission is £5, or £3 for members, with no advance booking required.

Frinton-based artist Simon Carter will transform Colchester’s Firstsite gallery into an immersive, walk-through landscape for his largest exhibition, From the Landscape, opening in October. The installation will combine paintings, architecture and sound, including monolithic groyne walls inspired by Essex coastal defences, a 19-metre wall displaying 500 monochrome sketches and a soundscape made from Carter’s coastal recordings. The exhibition will also feature works created since 2020, an early watercolour and three new painting series, with visitors able to observe parts of the installation as it develops.

Colchester-based University of Essex spin-out Versatile RobotX has secured more than £1 million in combined investment and innovation support. The funding, involving the British Design Fund, Innovate UK, Defra, Freeport East and the University of Essex, will support product development, manufacturing readiness, customer engagement and commercial expansion of AI-powered robots for crop picking and handling. Field trials with UK growers including Wilkin and Sons and JEPCO have demonstrated potential, while the company aims to make the systems affordable, reliable and easier for growers worldwide to deploy.

Colchester Council has added three three-bedroom accessible bungalows to its housing stock with support from Homes England. The homes are intended for residents with significant mobility and accessibility needs, with one already offered to a family and the others expected to go to similarly high-priority households. The council is also helping residents move to more suitable or smaller homes, and a further two-bedroom accessible bungalow is expected to be completed later in the year.

Greater Anglia will extend or add late-night train services to help concertgoers leave Colchester Castle Park events, including performances by Billy Ocean, Hollywood Vampires and Bastille. Services will include additional stops, extensions to London Liverpool Street and later trains toward destinations such as Clacton, Walton and Harwich. Passengers are advised to buy tickets in advance, use the full length of trains and platforms, and consider GroupSave discounts. Additional services will also support cycling events in Chelmsford, while c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia are being coordinated under a single regional leadership structure.

Colchester-based Packing Shed Theatre will stage The Hay Wain, a new play inspired by John Constable’s iconic painting, as part of the Constable 250 celebrations. The production uses drama and music to portray the hardship, hopes and resilience of the people depicted in the landscape rather than focusing on Constable himself. Performances are scheduled in Ipswich, Maldon, Flatford Mill and Colchester from August 19 to 30.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed nine new on-call firefighters who completed intensive training in Witham and will serve stations across Frinton, Canvey, Billericay, Saffron Walden, Shoebury, Braintree and West Mersea. The recruits cited community service, teamwork, skills development and long-standing interest in firefighting as motivations. Because on-call firefighters must live or work within five minutes of their station, the service is encouraging more local people to apply.

The North East Essex At Risk Mental State team is providing personalized sensory wellbeing boxes to people aged 14 to 35 who show early signs of serious mental health difficulties. Funded by EPUT Charitable Funds, the boxes may contain items such as fidget toys, journals, colouring materials, affirmation cards, lavender bags, herbal teas and earplugs. Clinicians say the resources help users regulate emotions, feel grounded and continue therapeutic coping strategies at home, supporting early intervention and potentially reducing the risk of more serious mental health problems.

A hedgehog found severely dehydrated, hypothermic and underweight inside a Colchester electricity substation during a heatwave has made a full recovery. UK Power Networks employee Jon Gray took the animal, later named Leccy, to a specialist practice in Brantham, where she received urgent treatment and gained 67 grams in three days. After further care in Gray’s garden, Leccy was released back into the wild. The rescue highlights the risks facing hedgehogs during drought conditions and the importance of safe habitats and supplementary feeding.

A £2.5 million Government-funded BioSTAR-Lab has opened at the University of Essex to provide hands-on training in cancer diagnostics, microbiology and molecular biology. The facility will support student research, including the university’s new undergraduate biotechnology degree, and help address projected demand for skilled workers in the UK life-sciences sector. University leaders and Colchester MP Pam Cox said the laboratory would strengthen training for careers in the NHS and healthcare industries.

Colchester Council has submitted plans to repair and conserve the west tower of Colchester Natural History Museum, a Grade II-listed former All Saints’ Church building. Proposed work includes repairing the facade and structural defects, reconstructing collapsed flint facing, replacing the roof and rainwater pipes, and using traditional lime-based materials. The project follows minimum-intervention principles, will retain the building’s historic layout and appearance, and will involve only temporary restrictions to public access during construction.

The Gazette lists seven recent death notices for people connected with the Colchester area: Stephen “Steve” John Outhwaite, Marion Fontoura, Stuart Alan Hurr, Gordon Douglas Harvey, Martin Parmenter, Barbara May Jones and Malcolm George Wilkinson. The notices provide brief tributes and details about their families, ages or dates of death, with links to the full notices and condolence pages.

Museum of the Moon, a six-metre illuminated lunar installation by artist Luke Jerram, has opened at Colchester Castle and will run until October 31. Created from detailed NASA imagery and accompanied by a surround-sound composition, the artwork is intended to offer visitors an immersive view of the Moon. Colchester City Council is promoting the exhibition as a continuation of the successful Gaia and Mars installations, with admission also providing access to the Castle Museum and its historical collections. Opening hours run from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays, with an additional exhibition charge applied to tickets.

Lexden Lodge Kindergarten in Colchester held a preschool graduation ceremony for its class of 2026. Children, families and staff celebrated the pupils' achievements as they prepare to start school in September, with the kindergarten highlighting their progress in learning and development.

A Colchester-based refurbishment firm, Gosh Projects, marks its 15th year in business. Founded by John Herbert and Claire Lovell, the company credits its growth to strong client relationships, high standards and a broad range of commercial refurbishment and operational support services. Leadership emphasises continued commitment to quality, reliability and expanding services to meet modern workplace needs.

A Labour government decision to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from October 1 will reduce household energy costs in Colchester by about £45 a year. The measure, funded by cancelling a £1.8 billion Digital ID programme, is intended to provide immediate cost‑of‑living relief before the next Ofgem price cap. Local MP Pam Cox, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey all emphasise the policy’s role in easing financial pressure on families, while similar benefits will extend to eligible small businesses, charities and residential care homes.

St Nicholas Square marks its first year as a redeveloped public space, with local businesses reporting increased footfall, stronger community connections, and improved visibility. Business owners describe a more welcoming environment and expanded opportunities during city events, while new openings such as Escape Hunt and the upcoming arrival of Super Opticians reflect growing confidence in the area. City leaders highlight the square as evidence of successful regeneration, with further projects underway. The Colchester Business Improvement District is working on long-term practical improvements, including waste management, as the community continues to embrace the space for socialising, dining and events.

A new blood bike funded by the Mark Masons was unveiled by Essex Blood Runners during an open day at Colchester United. The volunteer-led charity, which transports blood, medical products and donated breast milk across Essex and East London, relies entirely on donations and operates around the clock to support hospitals and air ambulance bases. The organisation emphasised its lack of government or NHS funding and highlighted the commitment of its 64 volunteers in maintaining the service.

Three University of Essex athletes have been selected for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Basketball captain Claire Paxton will represent Scotland in the women’s 3x3 tournament, while twin gymnasts Emily and Abigail Roper will compete for Wales. University sports director Dave Parry praised their achievement, highlighting both their dedication and the strength of the university’s sports scholarship programme.

Ellisons Solicitors raised £10,250 for the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation through a year‑long series of fundraising events across its regional offices, supporting teenagers and young adults with cancer. Firm representatives praised the collective effort, while the charity’s leadership emphasized the importance of the funds and awareness generated for continuing research and care services across the UK.

Late‑night engineering work by Network Rail on sections of the London to Colchester route will disrupt Greater Anglia services from August 3, with some late‑evening trains replaced by buses and Thursday services extended by several minutes. The work is required due to soil shrinkage affecting track stability, and passengers are advised to check travel plans as further speed restrictions or service changes may follow.

Push Power Ltd staff collected and delivered 88 kilograms of food to Colchester Food Bank as part of a new community initiative organized by the company’s social committee. Project support worker Evie Dance praised the team’s generosity and emphasized the importance of supporting local community services. The company plans further donations later in the year.

Colchester Council plans to buy 65 homes in 2026–27 to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and support long‑term community stability. The updated Housing Revenue Account Business Plan includes a rightsizing strategy to better match tenants with appropriately sized homes, investment in energy‑efficiency upgrades, and funding for a dedicated officer to assist tenants. The plan outlines long‑term management and improvement of more than 6,000 council homes with a goal of ensuring high‑quality housing for current and future residents.

The Colchester Castle Summer Series will return after generating £6.5 million in visitor spending and supporting hundreds of local jobs. Organised by council-owned Amphora Events, the wider programme produced nearly £24 million in economic impact and helped boost Colchester’s profile as a cultural destination. The series attracts national visitors, supports independent businesses, and contributes to community cohesion and wellbeing. Following an independent economic impact report, Amphora plans to expand its events programme as part of a long-term growth strategy backed by council investment.

Colchester Council has released its latest list of planning applications, detailing newly submitted proposals and decisions across the area. Submissions range from residential extensions and agricultural structures to solar panel installations and changes of use for commercial properties. Decisions include several approvals, a few refusals, and one withdrawal, reflecting ongoing development activity across Colchester and surrounding villages.

Colchester-based airborne troops are conducting a two‑week training exercise in Canada to test modern battlefield tactics and advanced technology. The exercise brings together around 350 British and Canadian soldiers and focuses on a reconnaissance‑strike approach that integrates drones, electronic warfare tools and AI‑enabled systems. Units are trialling the Cain communications network and the Cobalt data‑analysis platform to improve decision‑making and expand operational reach. Military personnel are also learning technical skills such as drone operation, coding and AI programming while carrying out simulated combat scenarios on the Canadian prairie.

A hand‑painted memorial stone honoring Rosie Burnside‑Fitch, a Colchester teenager who died of bone cancer, was carried to the summit of Mount Everest as part of the Rosie Rocks the World project. The initiative invites travelers to carry decorated stones in her memory while supporting cancer research through a legacy fund at the Children and Young People’s Cancer Association. The stone reached the summit thanks to guides Dawa and Chatur Tamang, continuing a global tribute that encourages people to share the stones’ journeys.

Youth Fest will return to Colchester on August 4, offering free sports, arts, and creative activities across multiple city venues. Organised by the Colchester Community Safety Partnership, the event features workshops, fitness challenges, emergency services demonstrations, and guided tours, aiming to provide an inclusive space for young people to explore new interests.

More than 400 postcard-sized collages are displayed at The Minories in Colchester as part of the Cut and Paste exhibition, with each piece sold for £30 to raise funds for Colchester Unite Against Racism and We Are The Minories. Organisers highlight the exhibition’s role in supporting anti‑racism initiatives, community events and gallery programming. New submissions continue to expand the display, which runs until August 16 with free public entry.

After a 50‑year nursing career, Colchester Hospital nurse Kim Ness has retired, coinciding with the UK’s first Children’s Nurses Day. Having worked across multiple specialties before settling in paediatrics, she progressed to ward sister and became a respected leader known for compassion and mentorship. Colleagues praised her long service, with the chief nurse of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust recognising her dedication. Ness expressed mixed emotions about retiring but looks forward to personal time and upcoming family celebrations.

Steven Turnbull is leaving his role as headteacher of Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery in Colchester after 13 years, having led the school with a strong focus on inclusion and support for children with additional needs. Under his leadership, two specialist SEND classes were opened and the school developed a reputation for a caring and inclusive ethos. Staff, parents and the wider school community praised his leadership as he prepares to move to a new role in September.

Moon and Bear, a Colchester children’s clothing brand founded by Imani Turner, was selected as one of 18 UK winners of the Small Business Sunday competition, earning a free exhibition stand at Spring Fair 2027. Event organisers highlighted the creativity and quality of this year’s entries, noting the opportunity for winners to gain exposure to thousands of retail buyers and expand into wholesale markets. The long‑running partnership between Spring Fair and the SBS initiative continues to support emerging businesses by connecting them directly with buyers. Spring Fair 2027 will take place in February at the NEC Birmingham.

Market Field School in Elmstead Market received the KS1 Sport and Physical Education Award from Active Essex for its inclusive sports and physical education programme. The school, which serves children with moderate learning difficulties, was recognised for offering a broad range of adapted activities that promote interaction, emotional regulation, and fundamental movement skills. Sports coordinator David Hooley highlighted the significance of the award and the school’s commitment to high‑quality, accessible physical education. Pupils attended the awards event in Chelmsford, taking part in activities and representing the school positively.

Ellisons Solicitors has become the season sponsor for Castle Park Theatre’s fifth year of open-air performances in Colchester, supporting a programme that includes Much Ado About Nothing, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and Opera in the Park. Theatre founder Neil D’Arcy-Jones highlighted the value of local backing in expanding the company’s ambitions, while Ellisons partner Lisa Dawson emphasised the firm’s longstanding ties to the community. The sponsorship reflects Ellisons’ continued commitment to local cultural initiatives.

The full programme for the St Osyth Summer Sounds festival has been released, featuring music, chef demonstrations, family activities and art installations across a free two‑day event at St Osyth Priory in Essex. Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and Arts Council England, the festival includes performances ranging from folk and Motown to indie and ska, alongside chef showcases led by TV chef Joe Hurd and Great British Menu champion Amber Francis. Additional attractions include workshops, theatre, storytelling and the immersive Arborialis luminarium, with more than 40 traders and community groups participating.

Philip Terry, a professor in literature, film and theatre studies at the University of Essex, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He described the honour as significant, noting the distinguished figures on the fellowship roll. Terry was inducted at the Society’s annual ceremony, choosing to sign the Roll Book with Lord Byron’s pen due to a family connection. The RSL, founded in 1820, supports and recognises writers through awards and outreach programmes.

ROL Cruise in Colchester was named the UK’s best medium-sized travel agency to work for at the 2026 Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards, recognised for strong employee wellbeing, career development and a 98 percent staff retention rate. Chief executive Rosie Cairns credited the company’s employee-owned structure and people-first culture for its success. The firm also ranked as the UK’s second best company to work for earlier in the year.

Colchester Council received and ruled on a series of planning applications, including tree removals, residential extensions, solar panel installations, roof works, and change‑of‑use proposals. Most applications were approved, with a few withdrawn or refused. Decisions covered locations across Colchester and nearby villages, ranging from home improvements to institutional upgrades and commercial adjustments.

Essex County Council’s new 100-Day Plan prioritises protecting green spaces, tackling fly-tipping and improving local environments. Measures include reviewing waste centre booking systems, supporting district councils with enforcement, launching a Pride of Place Clean Up Fund and conducting a strategic review of the county’s Green Belt. Findings will guide a new Spatial Development Strategy and a Green Infrastructure Study to map and protect Essex’s natural assets.

A series of July activities under the Hello Essex campaign promotes local engagement through outdoor sessions, youth music events and family activities across the county, supported by Essex County Council to encourage residents to explore local experiences.

A limited‑edition crisp produced by Fairfields Farm raised £12,667.20 for Air Ambulances UK, surpassing the £10,000 target through sales and additional donations at local events. The partnership supported emergency air ambulance services across the UK, including the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust. Leaders from both Fairfields Farm and Air Ambulances UK highlighted the value of the collaboration and its contribution to life‑saving pre‑hospital care.

Three Colchester students completed a week-long work placement at Holmes and Hills Solicitors, gaining experience across several departments including family law, clinical negligence and marketing. The students described the environment as friendly and the work as engaging, noting improvements in communication, confidence and understanding of legal careers. Staff praised their enthusiasm, and the firm plans to host additional work experience students over the summer.

The Roman River Festival will return to Colchester from October 20 to 25, 2026, presenting classical music performances across historic venues including churches and civic buildings. The programme features works by Britten, Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel and others, with performances from ensembles and soloists such as the Silvanus Quartet, the Wild Arts Ensemble and multiple young award-winning musicians. Events take place across several Essex locations, and tickets begin at £30, with discounted pricing for attendees under 30.

An exhibition titled Timelines, Re-inventing Landscape presents Noel Myles’ landscape collages at Chappel Galleries in Colchester, running from June 27 to July 26. The show features editioned prints composed from numerous photographic images, including monochrome works created from linked negatives and later colour photographs. Myles’ practice aims to convey the extended experience of moving through a landscape. His work has previously appeared in major international venues including Moscow, New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Academy.

Felsted School has appointed Emma Gray as the next head of its prep school, beginning in January 2027. Gray, currently head of the junior school at St Margaret's School in Bushey, brings over two decades of experience in independent education and is known for promoting academic growth, life skills, and pupil voice. Her arrival coincides with the launch of a pre‑reception program and continued development of specialist‑led teaching. She will work alongside incoming headteacher Lara Péchard to guide the next stage of the prep school's development.

Citizens Advice Tendring continues offering free, confidential guidance across the district through outreach sessions, scheduled appointments, a volunteer-run phone line, and online resources after its office closure. Chief officer Emma Funnell highlights support for issues including benefits, debt, housing, employment and relationships. The organisation meets Advice Quality Standard requirements and credits volunteers for sustaining its services, while encouraging residents to seek help or explore volunteering opportunities.

Glass artist Elena Fleury-Rojo has curated the Endangered Crafts Exhibition at Stourbridge Glass Museum, showcasing works by more than 30 contemporary glass artists and highlighting glassmaking techniques at risk of disappearing. Inspired by her 2024 Heritage Crafts Training Bursary, the exhibition emphasizes endangered skills such as scientific glassblowing and stained glass. Live demonstrations will accompany the show, which aims to raise awareness of traditional craft preservation and its relevance to contemporary art. The exhibition runs until November 7.

Colchester Zoological Society was named runner‑up in the 2026 BIAZA Sustainability Awards for its cross‑sector collaboration supporting environmental action across Essex. The zoo’s partnerships with schools, councils, and nature groups contributed to nature recovery initiatives and community‑driven sustainability efforts. BIAZA’s chief executive praised the achievement as an example of leadership in conservation, education, and animal welfare.

Sir Bernard Jenkin urges the Department for Transport to improve rail services on the Mayflower Line, citing long-standing connectivity issues for coastal communities between Manningtree and Harwich. He highlights poor evening connections, including a missed link to Harwich from the late Clacton service, and calls for fairer provision of services for all stations on the route. Enhancements would improve accessibility and benefit local residents reliant on evening travel.

An exhibition at The Minories in Colchester marks the 250th anniversary of John Constable’s birth, showcasing works from local museum collections and private lenders. The display highlights the painter’s ties to north Essex and includes rarely seen pieces. Local cultural leaders describe the exhibition as an opportunity to deepen public appreciation of Constable’s connection to the region.

Pets across Essex were celebrated at the inaugural Colchester Pet Awards, created by Holly Smart of Ginger and Tails. Winners were selected across five categories by an independent panel of animal welfare professionals, with Dexter, Minnie, Louie, Phoebe with her cat Talia, and Marge receiving top honours. Sponsors and local organisations contributed prizes and charitable donations, including support from the RSPCA Essex Mid and North Branch CIO and The Dacon Trust. High‑quality entries led to additional highly commended recognitions, and the awards will return in 2027.

A 17-year-old student, Finlay Craig, has been named Colchester’s first organ scholar in a new year-long programme designed to support young organists. Funded by several charitable organisations, the scheme provides tuition, access to the Moot Hall Organ and performance opportunities. Local officials praised Craig’s talent and commitment, while he expressed gratitude for the opportunity. The scholarship aligns with Colchester’s efforts to preserve and promote its musical heritage.

A six‑week summer sports camp at the University of Essex will run from July 20 to August 28, offering activities including dodgeball, climbing, basketball, tennis and handball. The CHUMS programme is designed to build confidence, skills and friendships for children aged five to sixteen, with age‑grouped sessions across the university’s sports facilities, including the Essex Sport Arena. Organisers expect high demand and offer flexible booking options for new and returning families.

Foster carers across Essex were honored at the Essex Foster Carer Awards 2026, which recognized dedication across six categories and celebrated carers with decades of service. Councillor Truman highlighted their compassion and lasting impact. Long-serving carers, including individuals with 30 to 40 years of fostering, were acknowledged, while newer carers were recognized for championing children’s voices. Essex County Council supports about 500 foster families caring for over 750 children but continues to seek 50 to 60 new families annually.

Maldon Bowls Club delivered strong results across county and national competitions, including a decisive Essex win over Suffolk and multiple successful performances in pairs, triples and team matches. Andy Squire and several Maldon teams advanced in key contests, while Maldon A and B secured league victories despite Maldon C suffering defeat.

Priti Patel voiced strong support for National Lorry Week, emphasising the logistics sector’s importance to the economy and local employment in Witham. She highlighted ongoing challenges such as fuel costs, business rates and skills shortages, attributing added pressure to Labour government policies. Patel pledged continued advocacy for local logistics businesses, noting the sector’s significant national workforce and role in maintaining supply chains.

Work has begun on the next stage of the Dovercourt regeneration programme, part of a wider capital plan to revitalise the town with improved public spaces and better links between the railway station and the seafront. Essex County Council appointed M Group Highways to deliver £2.39 million in upgrades including paving, landscaping and enhancements near Harwich Library. Officials say the improvements will boost the local economy and strengthen the town’s appeal. Complementary initiatives supported by Tendring Council include green space projects, a new car park and new council homes. The current phase is expected to finish by winter.

A children’s author from Holland‑on‑Sea has set her latest book at Clacton Pier, incorporating rides such as the Helter Skelter, Big Wheel, Dodgems and Looping Star into an adventure featuring recurring alien characters. Inspired by her son’s creation of the character Buddy, she continues the series with themes of friendship, teamwork and curiosity. Clacton Pier welcomed the collaboration, noting the promotional benefit. The author plans a third book and hopes to develop the characters for television, while donating part of the book’s proceeds to a blind dog charity.

A free family fun day will be held at Clacton’s Rush Green Recreation Ground to support community engagement and strengthen tenant involvement in housing services. Tendring Council’s housing team will host the event featuring activities, support services and opportunities for tenants to learn about participating in local housing initiatives. Representatives from organisations including Peabody, Essex Police and the fire service will attend, and council members highlight the event as a way to improve access to support and gather resident feedback.

Tendring Council approved an updated Food and Safety Service Plan for 2026–27 outlining inspection and regulatory work for more than 1,200 food businesses. The plan reflects current legislation, emphasizes cooperation with businesses, and enables firm action when public health is at risk. Recent data show 72 infectious disease notifications and that 80 percent of local food outlets hold the top hygiene rating. A new enforcement policy was also adopted, and the Food Standards Agency commended the council for improving inspection performance despite staffing challenges.

Nominations have opened for the Braintree District Volunteer and Active Braintree Awards, recognising volunteers, athletes, clubs and coaches across 12 categories. Sponsored by Braintree Village, the awards promote community contribution and support local sports groups, with winners advancing to broader regional recognitions. Local officials highlighted the value of volunteer work and sports activities in improving wellbeing. Nominations close on September 4, with the ceremony scheduled for October 21 at Hedingham Castle.

Healthcare workers and volunteers across the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust were named finalists for the 2026 Shine Awards, selected from more than 1,000 nominations. Thirty individuals and teams from hospitals and community sites were shortlisted across ten categories. Deputy chief executive Dawn Scrafield praised the dedication and professionalism of the nominees. The awards ceremony will be held in October, with additional support from several local sponsors.

The first phase of the A1331 link road between the A120 and A133 has opened to support the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community, a development planned to deliver up to 7,500 homes. Funded by Homes England and built by Octavius Infrastructure, the mile‑long dual carriageway includes walking and cycling features and extensive tree planting. Essex County Council leaders emphasise the road’s role in ensuring infrastructure precedes housing. A £65 million funding boost will enable Phase Two, completing the link to the A120 by mid‑2030.

A heritage initiative is expanding into Essex to identify and document centuries-old mulberry trees, supported by the Essex Heritage Trust. Led by The Conservation Foundation’s Morus Londinium project, the effort seeks to uncover trees with historical significance, including those linked to Roman introductions and 17th-century planting schemes under King James I. Around 30 mulberry trees have already been recorded in the county, with residents encouraged to help locate additional specimens as the project broadens its national reach.

A therapy dog and a giant African land snail are helping teenagers receiving mental health care at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester. Staff describe the animals as boosting confidence, improving engagement, and fostering trust, with interactions often inspiring students to pursue animal-related learning and qualifications. Additional therapy animals, partnerships with therapy farms, and regular visits from volunteer dog handlers further support the young people. The centre’s child and adolescent mental health wards were recently rated good by the Care Quality Commission.