Anne Suslak

Year 11 students at Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham are celebrating their GCSE results, with several achieving multiple grade 9s and strong grades across their subjects. Acting principal Dijana Piralic praised the cohort's hard work, resilience and determination, particularly among students who overcame personal challenges. Students will now progress to sixth form, further education, training or employment.

Maldon Town Council will hold a Merchant Navy Day commemoration at Hythe Quay, featuring veterans, councillors, dignitaries, Sea Cadets, music, prayers, readings, a wreath-laying, a two-minute silence and the national anthem. The service will honor Merchant Navy personnel who served during wartime and peacetime, support the Merchant Navy Fund through donations, and move to St Mary’s Church if weather conditions are poor.

Julie Stone, an activities lead at Elmcroft Care Home in Maldon, raised more than £900 for St Helena Hospice by completing a charity skydive. She undertook the challenge to confront her fear of jumping from a plane and was supported by colleagues, residents and family members. The fundraiser was inspired in part by hospice training provided to Elmcroft staff, highlighting the shared focus on kindness, dignity and meaningful care for people with incurable illnesses and their families.

Year 13 students at William de Ferrers School in South Woodham Ferrers achieved a seven-percentage-point increase in A*-B grades. Students secured university places at institutions including Exeter, Nottingham, Bristol, Lincoln and BIMM, alongside apprenticeships and employment. School leaders attributed the results to students’ hard work, staff dedication and a culture of ambition, while highlighting individual successes including top A-level and BTEC results.

Ewan McCulloch, a 52-year-old Edinburgh resident and chief stakeholder officer at Border to Coast Pensions Partnership, is cycling 1,300km from Cumbria to the south coast through all 18 counties represented by the partnership’s local-government fund owners. The challenge, which passed through Essex and stopped at Hylands House in Chelmsford, aims to raise more than £50,000 and awareness for Kids Inspire, a charity supporting children, young people and families in Essex and Suffolk with mental health and trauma services. The Essex Pension Fund is backing the effort.

Students at Ormiston Rivers Academy in Burnham are celebrating strong A-level and post-16 results, with graduates securing destinations including universities, apprenticeships, further training and employment. Standout achievements included Theo's three A* grades, April's Distinction* results, George's Distinction* in engineering alongside high grades in mathematics and physics, and Nathan's multiple A* grades. Acting principal Dijana Piralic praised the students' determination and success across academic and vocational subjects. Jamie Daniels, currently principal of Ormiston Endeavour Academy in Ipswich, will become the school's principal in September.

Temporary closures are planned on multiple roads across Maldon and Chelmsford, including locations in Wickham Bishops, Danbury, Tolleshunt Knights, Great Braxted, Tillingham, Mayland, Southminster and Heybridge. The closures support utility and highway works by Openreach, UK Power Networks, Essex and Suffolk Water, Cadent Gas and Essex County Council, with durations ranging from one to 15 days. Most locations will have alternative routes, but Rectory Road and Sheepcotes Lane will not. Drivers are advised to plan ahead, follow signage and check one.network for schedule changes.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome has opened a gallery exhibition featuring paintings and prints by award-winning First World War aviation artist Graham Turner. The display includes original works depicting Royal Flying Corps personnel, wartime experiences and a Sopwith Camel crash, alongside framed prints priced from £135. The exhibition is housed in a Grade II* listed former RFC building and can be visited during the aerodrome’s regular Friday-to-Sunday opening hours, with admission also covering guided tours of the historic site.

A grass fire covering about 100 by 100 metres broke out at Riverside Park near Burnham Yacht Harbour and was extinguished by two crews from Maldon and Burnham. The fire is believed to have been caused by a disposable barbecue. Maldon District Council leader Simon Morgan thanked emergency services and urged residents and visitors not to use disposable barbecues, portable cooking equipment or open flames in parks and open spaces during hot, dry conditions, citing risks to people, wildlife, habitats and the environment.

Burnham Hillside Bowling Club hosted its 2026 Ladies Captain's Day on August 6, welcoming bowlers from nearby clubs for three randomly selected games, a raffle and a communal meal. Jean Etherington of Tillingham won after a countback following a tie, while volunteers were thanked for supporting the event. In league action, Burnham A drew 50–50 with Maldon A, and Burnham B defeated Writtle C 68–39 to move top of its division with one match remaining.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome has outlined the aircraft lineup for its August 16 air show, featuring a rare 1943 Spitfire Mk9, First World War aircraft including a Fokker Dr.1, and displays by the Tiger Nine, Red Sparrows, Turbulent Team and a Vans RV‑8. Visitors can book Flightline Walks on the day, browse aviation‑themed trader stalls and access the aerodrome’s museum with a ticket purchased online.

Multiple temporary road closures are scheduled across the Maldon district from late July through August to support safety measures and infrastructure works by Openreach and Essex County Council. Closures affect routes in areas including Mundon, St Lawrence, Stow Maries, Latchingdon, Southminster, Althorne, Purleigh, and Tollesbury, with durations ranging from one day to over a year. Most closures will have diversion routes, and dates may change with updated signage. The measures aim to protect the public and workers during pole replacements and bridge safeguarding work.

A visit by shadow DEFRA spokesperson Neil Hudson highlighted regulatory and economic pressures faced by Maldon food producers, with local MP John Whittingdale introducing him to several businesses and planning to raise their concerns with new DEFRA ministers.

Kate Nicholls met Maldon business representatives to hear concerns about rising employment costs, business rates and energy expenses, which local firms say are causing labour shortages and financial strain. Survey data shows increasing numbers of hospitality businesses operating at a loss or facing potential failure. Sir John Whittingdale pledged to ensure the government is made aware of the challenges facing Maldon’s hospitality sector.

Maldon Salt Ltd plans to expand its Longwick Farm production facility to meet rising global demand. The proposed extension would add four salt pans, new plant equipment, and storage space, replacing existing outdoor storage that will become a car park. The company also seeks approval for bladder tanks and a new welfare building. Despite multiple expansions, production capacity remains tight, and the firm warns it may need to build facilities elsewhere if permission is denied. The long‑operating company has grown significantly under the Osborne family, with increased turnover, staff, and new headquarters planned at Oval Park in Langford.

Maldon District Council will consider a proposal to expand the Suez waste and recycling depot in Promenade Park to accommodate a growing fleet increased by recent legislative changes. The £348,289 project, funded entirely through the Extended Producer Responsibility Grant, would extend the depot by about 670 square metres and include reorganising the neighbouring Parks Depot to improve safety, storage and operational efficiency. The expansion aims to prevent congestion, safety issues and service disruptions while supporting compliance with the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms. A lease for the expanded site would run through 2032.

Maldon’s Carnival Court is commended for professionalism after representing the town at multiple regional carnivals and achieving several competition wins. Carnival week begins August 3 with events centred at Lower Plume School, leading up to the main procession on October 3. Additional activities include a Casino Night fundraiser. Organisers encourage community participation and express gratitude for ongoing support to sustain the long‑standing local tradition.

An 83-year-old resident of Down Hall Residential Care Home reconnected with meaningful memories when his extensive Winston Churchill memorabilia collection was brought into the home for a personalised reminiscence activity. Activities co‑ordinator Louise Simon guided him through items such as figurines and biographies, prompting recognition and emotional engagement despite his dementia-related communication challenges. His wife expressed appreciation for the care team's efforts, noting the activity revived a long‑held passion. The care home emphasises personal memories and interests to support wellbeing and engagement, and staff continue using tailored approaches to help him settle and make daily choices.