Grace Capel

A devastating fire at Premier Labellers’ warehouse on Stour Road in Harwich destroyed facilities and storage, leaving approximately 50 people without jobs. More than 35 firefighters from Essex and Suffolk responded and prevented the blaze from spreading to a nearby wood yard or forcing residents to evacuate. MP Sir Bernard Jenkin visited the site and said he was working with management to support rebuilding, restore operations and protect the company’s future in Harwich.

A Letters to Heaven post box has been permanently installed at Parkeston Cemetery by Ramsey and Parkeston Parish Council. The facility allows bereaved people to leave private letters, cards and messages for deceased loved ones. The letters will remain unread and confidential before being composted with wildflower seeds, creating a lasting memorial in nature. The initiative was inspired by Matilda, whose wish to write to her grandparents led to the first such post box at Gedling Crematorium.

Businesses in Dovercourt say the £2.39 million Dovercourt Public Realm Scheme is causing significant disruption, particularly because of reduced parking and difficult access for customers. The owners of Snug Play Café and Tendring Darts claim they were inadequately warned or consulted, while Essex County Council says the regeneration will improve public spaces and the local economy. The council has promised to work with Tendring District Council and M Group Highways to minimise disruption and review opportunities to restore parking where safe.

Tendring Council has approved St Helena Hospice’s plans to convert a vacant building on Station Road in Lawford into a community hub with a charity shop, donation point, café and desks for online working. The project will repurpose a building currently undergoing asbestos removal, create employment and generate revenue from donated goods to help fund the hospice’s specialist palliative and end-of-life care. St Helena receives 20 percent of its income from the NHS and relies on public donations and fundraising for the remainder.

A charity rounders day will be held at Harwich Cricket Club on August 8 to raise funds for The Ark Centre, a community organization supporting families through education and other services. Teams of up to five people can enter for £50, with the event also offering food, drinks and entertainment.

Stourview Primary Academy in Mistley, one of 46 Essex schools affected by potentially dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, has submitted plans to demolish its 1970s main building and construct new classrooms, a library, hall and special educational needs room. The school’s 68 pupils are currently using another nearby school, while classes operate from a temporary building on site. The redevelopment would increase capacity to 105 pupils, retain the existing nursery and be supported through the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme. Tendring Council will decide the application.

Home-Start Harwich is marking 30 years of supporting more than 350 families through home visits, weekday support groups, advice and free family activities. The charity has 20 volunteers, seven part-time staff and a full-time manager, Wendy Taylor, and works with families facing challenges including illness, poor housing and mental or physical health difficulties. Events are funded by Galloper Wind Farm and Harwich Town Council to ensure families can participate free of charge.

Plans to bring the replica Nao Victoria to Harwich as a July visitor attraction were abandoned after the Harwich Haven Authority could not accommodate its depth at Ha’penny Pier, Trinity House raised concerns about using its pier, and Harwich International Port was deemed unworkable. Harwich Town Council said it could offer no further support unless the foundation returned with substantially more notice and a workable plan.

Harwich resident Louise Whymark, who has kidney disease and requires dialysis three times a week, is campaigning for a dialysis unit at Fryatt Hospital in Dovercourt. Her journeys to Colchester General Hospital, including treatment, transport preparation and waiting times, take up nearly six hours per session and affect her health, employment and time with family. She says a local unit would improve patients’ quality of life, ease pressure on services in Colchester, Clacton and Ipswich, and reduce travel costs. The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is assessing options as part of its outsourced renal-service contract renewal.

Energy company leaders are urging residents in Tendring to participate in a public consultation on the proposed Tarchon Interconnector Project, a 760‑kilometre electricity link between Essex and Germany capable of supplying up to 1.9 million homes. The project, developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, would make landfall south of Harwich, with its final location pending. Consultations will run from July 3 to August 13 through public events and online submissions. Project director Jonathan Wood emphasized ongoing technical and environmental work and encouraged community involvement to shape the next development stages.

Manningtree Town Council is requesting that Greater Anglia introduce later evening services on the Mayflower Line, as current connections from London leave passengers without onward trains to Harwich after midnight. The council plans to write formally to the operator asking for extended service times to improve local transport options.

A planning application seeks approval for ten traveller pitches on land at Swallowsfield Field in Manningtree, proposing six static homes and four touring caravan spaces with existing outbuildings to be demolished. Tendring Council will decide on the bid, and residents can view or comment on the application through the council’s planning portal.