Claudia Bradley

A reviewer visits Curzon cinema in Colchester to watch the nearly three-hour film Odyssey. The cinema is praised for its welcoming bar and lounge areas, reclining standard seats, spacious trays, cushions and comfortable atmosphere. The film’s sound design and visuals are described as highly immersive, making Curzon an especially suitable venue for a long cinematic experience.

Seven-year-old Aspen discovered a passion for photography after his mother, Shakeira Jennings, let him use her £1,100 camera during a trip to Brightlingsea. He photographed birds, boats and the sea, remaining unusually focused despite having ADHD. Jennings, a long-time member of the Gazette Camera Club, is encouraged by his enthusiasm and is considering buying him his own camera for future trips to Walton and the countryside.

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery has opened in Monkwick, Colchester, following a major refurbishment. The facility offers free-flow gardens connected to classrooms, forest-school activities and a small animal farm, providing new childcare options for families in Monkwick, Berechurch and nearby areas. Director Manjit Sandhu said the nursery is committed to high-quality care, while councillor Dave Harris welcomed its community contribution.

Braintree Village contributed £48.66 million to the local economy and supported 1,028 jobs in 2025, according to an impact report from owner Landsec. The outlet centre also helped 214 people move closer to employment, generated £1.1 million in social value through grants and community partnerships, and supported local initiatives including Made in Braintree. Its collaboration with Plan Bee created a rewilded habitat for an estimated 250,000 native Essex black bees and produced nearly 100 jars of honey. New stores and ongoing leisure attractions are intended to maintain the centre’s appeal and support further local investment.

Jake Randall, 26, admitted riding an electric scooter in Colchester while uninsured and more than twice over the drink-drive limit after attempting to leave a road collision. Colchester Magistrates' Court disqualified him from driving for 18 months and ordered him to pay £253 in fines, surcharge and costs. Randall said he was close to home, apologised and told the court he did not intend to learn to drive.

Reporter Claudia Bradley and her friend Milli Finch donated a combined 25 inches of hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides real-hair wigs to children and young people who have lost their hair through cancer treatment, alopecia or other conditions. Stylist Mercedes Palmer cut, washed and styled their hair free of charge. The women said the donation was worthwhile because wigs can help children retain confidence and express their identity; each wig costs an average of £700 to produce.

Franks Motorcycles in Colchester hosted a special bike night for people living with cancer, their families, carers and riders affected by the disease. Held with the Colchester Cancer Wellbeing Centre and the Christian Motorcyclists’ Association UK, the event offered conversation, companionship and a chance to reconnect with motorcycling. Founder Jon Stevens said attendees’ stories of courage, loss and hope demonstrated the importance of community support and reducing isolation.

An 18-year-old asylum seeker living in a Colchester Travelodge was sentenced after admitting to assaulting two police officers during an arrest in June. The court considered his lack of prior convictions, young age and remorse, with the judge encouraging him to focus on building a stable life while studying at Colchester Institute. He received 18‑month conditional orders, with costs and compensation to be deducted from his benefits.

Two lifelong friends from Essex completed a demanding 100‑mile trek from Bamburgh Castle to Edinburgh Castle, raising over £3,000 for Dementia UK and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Despite an early calf injury and challenging terrain, they finished the route in just over 39 hours, driven by supporter messages and their long history of endurance fundraising. Their latest effort brings their total charitable fundraising across multiple events to about £17,000.

A Colchester motorcycle community is organising an event for people living with cancer, offering a relaxed evening centred on shared interest and support. Franks Motorcycles, inspired by founder Jon Stevens’ personal connection to the disease, is partnering with the Colchester Cancer Wellbeing Centre, Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity and the Christian Motorcyclists’ Association UK to host the gathering. The event aims to help attendees reconnect with the motorcycling community and enjoy time away from treatment environments, with limited spaces requiring advance registration.

The community‑owned Great Bromley Cross pub won Plunkett UK’s Connecting the Community award for its role as a social hub offering events, services and shared ownership. Locals saved the pub from closure in 2016 and now operate it as a Community Benefit Society. Representatives expressed pride in the national recognition, while Plunkett UK highlighted the impact of community‑run enterprises across the country.

Campaigners in Colchester urge Essex County Council to adopt county‑wide 20mph speed limits, arguing it would reduce casualties, cut costs and improve safety for pedestrians and children. Advocates cite Welsh data showing fewer accidents and broad public support, while more than 600 residents have signed a petition backing blanket limits. Essex County Council states it is reviewing consultation feedback before making decisions on proposed speed limit changes.

A resurfacing job on Rowhedge High Street drew criticism from councillor Lee Scordis, who called the work unnecessary and poorly executed, citing uneven surfaces and tarmacked-over drains. He contrasted it with the deteriorating condition of Rectory Road, which residents have repeatedly reported. Essex Highways stated it will inspect the resurfacing, noting that the work involved micro surfacing and that further machine surfacing is scheduled later in the year.

Plans to convert the former Hooray Henry bar into a new Wingstop restaurant in Colchester have prompted mixed reactions, with some residents objecting to another fast‑food outlet and others arguing that market demand supports it. Councillor Amy Kirkby-Taylor expressed concerns about fast‑food quality and animal welfare but saw no strong grounds for refusal. The chain’s ongoing recruitment efforts suggest the project is likely to proceed as Wingstop continues its UK expansion.

Brentwood Mac, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, will perform a lakeside show at Gosfield Lake in Essex, offering a relaxed outdoor event with picnic options, hot food, drinks and optional camping. The performance spans Fleetwood Mac’s full musical history and aims to recreate the band’s signature sound in a scenic setting, with gates opening at 6pm and the show starting at 7.30pm.

The Rec Community Market in Colchester will host a family-friendly Strawberry Fair featuring a free Strawberry Trail with 20 clues, a prize draw, children’s activities, and food offerings. Founder Charlie Spencer-Gray highlights the aim of encouraging families to explore the market and community garden. Regular market stalls will also operate, providing crafts, gifts, and local produce.

Local photographers from the Gazette Camera Club Colchester showcased wildlife, landscapes, and weather scenes from across Essex, featuring images of birds, flowers, storms, rainbows, and coastal views. The collection highlights the region’s natural beauty and encourages community participation through the club’s Facebook group.

A group of Essex fathers from North Essex Dads plan to climb Cader Idris in Wales to raise funds for Lexden Springs School, which supports children with special educational needs. Participants, including parent Simon Booker, describe the school’s significant impact on their families and hope donations will help fund new facilities such as a sensory tunnel, outdoor classroom and minibus. Supporters can contribute via the group’s JustGiving fundraiser.

Mobile signal outages continue across Dedham, Langham and Boxted after a mast was removed due to safety concerns involving a high‑pressure gas main. Bernard Jenkin met residents and local representatives and has sought clarification from Mobile Broadband Network Limited on the mast’s removal and plans to restore coverage. Residents report significant disruption, including risks to elderly individuals unable to reliably contact emergency services. A proposed replacement mast was recently rejected by Colchester Council over concerns about visual impact on the protected Dedham Vale National Landscape, though the council expressed support for improved digital connectivity and willingness to explore alternative solutions.