Henry Godfrey-Evans

Hanningfield Reservoir in Essex is only 52% full after a prolonged period of hot, dry weather, while Essex and Suffolk Water’s overall supplies have fallen from 83% in June to 57%. The company says it does not expect significant rainfall until October and has imposed its first hosepipe ban in almost 30 years, with other regional water companies also introducing restrictions. Increased household demand and exceptionally low July rainfall have worsened the situation. Essex and Suffolk Water is investing £66 million in resilience measures through 2030, including pipe replacement and leak reduction, while its restrictions aim to protect water supplies, rivers and wildlife.

The northbound A12 in north-east Essex is expected to remain closed all day following a collision involving a lorry and a car. Both carriageways were initially closed between junctions 26 and 28, causing delays of up to an hour and heavy congestion in Colchester, but the southbound carriageway has reopened. An air ambulance attended the scene, and vehicles trapped by the closure were being turned around. Severe delays continued between junctions 25 and 29 while restrictions were lifted at junction 26.

Ashley Banjo is backing the Julia Rausing Sky Arts Bursaries, which will provide 20 dance-makers with funding, mentoring and professional development. He says rising living costs, reduced opportunities and the expense of producing social-media content could prevent a future group like Diversity from emerging. Performers including Hannah Kiss describe stagnant wages and travel costs that have made it harder to sustain careers, while Office for National Statistics figures indicate that the number of working dancers and choreographers has fallen by a third since 2019. Applications are open to people over 18 whose creative practice is rooted in dance until 9 September.

A family of swans and their three surviving cygnets died after being removed from Canvey Lake, where residents and wildlife advocates say deteriorating water quality has devastated local wildlife. Testing previously found blue-green algae at more than 100 times the warning threshold, and South Essex Wildlife Hospital founder Sue Schwar said exposure to the algae was responsible. Castle Point Borough Council acknowledged the deaths, said recent tests confirmed blue-green algae, and stated that major restoration works would proceed with £1 million in funding, following an earlier £500,000 allocation.

A swan family at Canvey Lake in Essex—including three cygnets and their parents—died after being taken to South Essex Wildlife Hospital amid concerns about the lake's deteriorating condition. Two other cygnets had earlier been killed by foxes, while another died from avian botulism. Wildlife hospital founder Sue Schwar said blue-green algae was responsible, following tests that found concentrations more than 100 times the warning threshold. Residents described the loss and the lake's condition as devastating, while Castle Point Borough Council said restoration plans were continuing with up to £1m in funding.

A Braintree dog boarder, Charlotte Sutton, received a suspended 26‑week prison sentence and was ordered to pay costs after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Hero, a six‑year‑old Leonberger left in her care during hot weather. The dog’s owners, the Ship family, expressed anger and guilt over his death, which prosecutors linked to prolonged lack of monitoring. Sutton was also convicted of operating without a licence under the Animal Welfare Act. Local officials urged the public to use only licensed pet‑care providers and to report suspected unlicensed operations.

Southend-on-Sea City Council approved a policy to reject planning applications for fast‑food outlets within 400 metres of schools in response to high childhood obesity rates. Officials cited dense concentrations of takeaways in disadvantaged areas and warned existing efforts were not reducing obesity. Public health leaders and a local nutritionist supported the exclusion zone as a step toward healthier environments for children, while national data showed rising obesity among young adults.

A crash near Lakeside Shopping Centre caused prolonged M25 closures, leaving motorists stranded for up to nine hours in hot weather without water or facilities. A teenage driver on her first motorway journey and other travellers described stress, discomfort and lack of information. National Highways said resurfacing after an oil spill and high temperatures slowed the response and pledged to review its handling of the incident.

A crash near Lakeside Shopping Centre caused an extended closure of the M25, stranding motorists for up to nine hours during hot weather as National Highways repaired an oil spill and resurfaced the road. Drivers reported running out of water, food and phone battery, with some stranded in service stations and others worried about personal safety. National Highways said it would review its handling of the incident.

Residents around the Rivenhall incinerator in Essex report unreliable water supplies, with some experiencing periods of no flow and low pressure. Local councillor Paul Thorogood attributes the disruption to capacity issues connected to the waste plant’s water use. Indaver acknowledges challenges and has implemented temporary solutions while coordinating with Anglian Water on long‑term measures. Anglian Water prioritises domestic supply and continues investigating the problem alongside Essex County Council.

England’s World Cup semi-final loss still brought a surge of business to pubs in Essex, where the Riverside Inn in Chelmsford welcomed 300 fans after extensive preparations for the tournament. Landlady Ruby Andrews said the matches delivered the venue’s best summer on record, helping offset wider pressures on a struggling pub industry. The Anchor in South Benfleet also remained open for the game despite a vehicle crashing into the building the previous evening, with footfall more than doubling from last year. Industry figures show pubs have been closing at a rapid rate, though government business-rate relief has provided financial support.

Two longtime friends from Essex completed a 100‑mile ultramarathon from Bamburgh Castle to Edinburgh Castle without sleep, finishing in just over 39 hours. They joined hundreds of participants in the Rat Race event, where nearly one‑third did not finish. Both men used the challenge to raise money for charities linked to dementia and motor neurone disease, collectively raising £3,000.

A locally produced film, Borley Rectory: The Awakening, won best thriller at the National Film Awards, highlighting director Steven M Smith’s commitment to using Essex locations and talent. Actress Samantha Anderson, who played a ghostly nun, celebrated the win after competing against high-profile nominees including Dame Helen Mirren. The production relied heavily on local crews, continuing Smith’s long-standing effort to build a strong filmmaking community in the region.

Four Essex Police officers who rescued a girl held at knifepoint in November 2024 have been nominated for the Police Federation Bravery Awards. PC Charlie Jones and his colleagues subdued Brian Lyttle, who was later jailed for nine years for multiple offences. Officers used Tasers to free the child after confronting Lyttle, who initially used her as a shield before retreating and being incapacitated. Senior police figures praised the officers’ decisive and courageous actions, while Jones highlighted the importance of trauma support following such incidents.

A man died after falling from the Grampian tower block in Westcliff-on-Sea during an incident reported as a disturbance. Police were alerted shortly after 06:00 and are treating the death as unexpected while conducting door-to-door inquiries and reviewing CCTV. Witnesses reported hearing screams, glass breaking and shouting before emergency services arrived. No arrests have been made, and police are appealing for information or footage related to the incident.

A 17-year-old student, Freddy Soden, has been appointed first-team goalkeeping coach at semi-professional club Bowers & Pitsea FC after impressing manager Joe Flower with his confidence and ability. Soden began coaching during his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and has since committed to developing his career while continuing college studies and pursuing coaching badges. Flower praised his well-planned sessions and modern approach as the squad returned to training.