Ben Shahrabi

Firstsite’s Duncan Grant: Worlds Through Desire exhibition in Colchester has faced criticism from parents and campaigners after explicit images were displayed near children’s activities. The gallery moved the most graphic works into a closed adults-only room, but critics continued to object to suggestive paintings displayed over Pokémon cards beside a children’s craft area. Council Watch Colchester called for adult content to be physically segregated, while a local councillor described the original placement as a lapse of judgment. Colchester Council said Firstsite is responsible for its exhibitions, and Essex County Council said it was taking complaints seriously.

The 52nd Mersea Week sailing festival attracted 140 boats from August 9 to 14, making it one of the largest regattas in its history. Despite very hot weather and light winds, competitors completed six days of racing across classes including traditional smacks, classic yachts, cruisers, dinghies and Mersea Fisherman’s Open Boats. The event recorded 21 yacht entries and 51 dinghies, while the West Mersea Town Regatta concluded the celebrations with activities including the greasy-pole competition. Mersea Week is scheduled to return from August 15 to 20, 2027.

Thousands of visitors attended the 52nd Mersea Week on Mersea Island, where a record number of sailing entries, including dinghies, keelboats, open boats and classic smacks, competed on the Blackwater estuary. The volunteer-run event offered racing, waterfront activities, prizes and entertainment, with support from West Mersea Yacht Club and Dabchicks Sailing Club. The week concluded ahead of the independently run West Mersea Town Regatta.

West Mersea Island Regatta will feature sailing and rowing races, a greasy pole challenge, waterfront stalls and a bar, culminating in a planned £7,000 fireworks display. Organiser Peter Tydie says the event, running since 1838, is one of the country’s oldest and requires eight months of volunteer work. The fireworks may be cancelled at the last minute because of wildfires in Essex, with the decision due on Saturday following advice from the fire service.

A wildfire broke out on Ministry of Defence shrubland near Maypole Green, Colchester, requiring four fire engines, an off-road vehicle, a drone team and around 20 firefighters. Residents suspected children may have started the blaze, citing previous fires and reports from local children, but fire officials said the cause had not been confirmed. Fire service officials urged the public to remove rubbish, avoid disposable barbecues and extinguish cigarettes properly, while residents praised the emergency response and called for children to be shown the dangers of wildfires.

Debbie Taylor helped contain a roadside fire near Ernest Doe in Ulting by using her work jacket to beat down the flames while other motorists used water and contacted the fire brigade. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said the incident involved a van burning on a grass verge in Hatfield Peverel, was extinguished by firefighters, and was recorded as accidental. The fire occurred amid drought conditions and heatwaves that had contributed to fires across East Anglia.

Picton organized a summer social at Colchester Business Park featuring mini golf, outdoor games and complimentary meal deals from Sarah’s Coffee Shop. Employees and local businesses, including The Birdie Club, took part, with participants highlighting the event’s benefits for wellbeing, informal interaction and community building.

Chelmsford City Council has cancelled all professional fireworks displays scheduled for weddings at Hylands Estate during August because of exceptionally dry weather and a hosepipe ban. Couples affected by the decision have been contacted. Displays planned for later months will be reviewed at the end of August, while the council says further dry conditions are expected and fire-safety and water-conservation concerns require the suspension.

Colchester mixed martial arts world champion James Webb has announced his retirement at age 36 after a career that included winning his first world title in 2019, becoming a top-80 light heavyweight fighter and defending titles in Cage Warriors. He cited accumulated injuries, surgeries and health challenges while saying he wanted to leave the sport on a high. Webb plans to focus on developing young fighters and helping children and adults build discipline, confidence and life skills through his Combat Institute, as well as work with pupil referral units, young offenders and Lads Need Dads.