Iman Choksy

Students at Colchester County High School for Girls celebrated strong GCSE results, with most of the 192-student Year 11 cohort planning to continue into the sixth form. Lauren Wong achieved grade 9s in all nine subjects alongside an A in Additional Mathematics after overcoming personal challenges, while Calli Boyles earned eight grade 9s and Lauryn Au achieved 11. The students described their future plans in mathematics, science, psychology and medicine, and the school praised their hard work, resilience and academic excellence.

Colchester Royal Grammar School student Elliot Fatt achieved six GCSE grade 9s while running daily motivational affirmation accounts on TikTok and Instagram. He plans to continue the project through sixth form, study Mathematics, Economics, Religious Studies and Biology, and eventually pursue PPE at Oxford. The article also highlights Daniel Bennett, who achieved 11 grade 9s including full marks in French, and Silas Meneux, who earned nine grade 9s and an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. All three students plan to remain at the school for sixth form, while headmaster John Russell praised the cohort's results and progression into their chosen subjects.

Simmply Active and TBWA\MCR have launched the “Younger Than You Think” anti-knife campaign across Colchester, using disturbing images of wounded childhood toys to emphasize that children under 10 may also be exposed to knife carrying. The campaign urges parents, schools and communities to identify concerns and begin conversations earlier, reframing knife crime as a safeguarding and prevention issue rather than solely a matter for punishment. Councillor Kemal Çufoğlu supports the initiative, citing youth concerns about knife crime and the protective role of youth centres, social spaces and sports activities. The campaign will run on donated digital out-of-home advertising sites throughout August.

Amy Henry transformed The Beauty Hut in Nayland from a single-room operation into a fully staffed salon offering a broad range of beauty services. After leaving healthcare and the NHS to focus on the business, she secured a larger unit, renovated a former warehouse with help from her husband, and built a team of six. The salon is now reportedly fully booked, with Henry attributing its success to its welcoming atmosphere, strong client relationships and community-focused approach.

The founder-led Colchester Vets has opened a new small-animal practice at Charter Court near the A12. Founded by experienced veterinary surgeons Chris Goetschel and Joanna Rodak, the practice offers separate cat and dog wards, stress-reducing consultation rooms, CT, ultrasound and X-ray imaging, operating theatres, dental facilities and an on-site laboratory. It treats animals ranging from dogs and cats to mice, rats and chickens, and plans to expand its veterinary team and specialist services. An open day is scheduled for September 5.

Students at Colchester Royal Grammar School celebrated their A-level results while reflecting on the role of music, theatre and student societies in their school lives. Ed Haines achieved three A*s and an A and will study history at Oxford, Projit Mandal achieved two A*s and two As and will study fine art at Oxford, and Jamie Derrick achieved two A*s, an A and a B and will study music at Oxford. The students credited their teachers, school productions, choirs and orchestras with shaping their achievements and experiences.

Colchester-based support worker Emile Warnes has self-published The Void: 2093, a 299-page dystopian graphic novel released through Amazon. Set in 2093 after the sun’s collapse, it follows four survivors crossing a frozen Europe divided among impoverished surface dwellers, exploited workers and an orbital elite. Warnes spent more than two years creating the first instalment of a planned four-part series, drawing on his interests in illustration, science fiction, horror and cinematic storytelling. The book is intended for adults because of its sexual, violent and disturbing content, while a second instalment is already in development.

Residents have strongly objected to an outline application submitted by Savills for Bellway Homes to build up to 150 houses on land north of Straight Road in Boxted. They cite inadequate roads, limited bus services, a lack of shops, school places and healthcare, wildlife and landscape loss, and potential wildfire risks. Bellway describes the proposal as a sensitive extension featuring public spaces, pedestrian-friendly design and varied housing. Colchester Council will decide the application.

A children’s book written by Tiptree author Melissa Ford and illustrated by Jacqueline Murphy is raising money for seven-year-old Alexander Liggins, who has complex disabilities, infantile spasms and dystonia. All profits from The Tale of Lucky, the Tiptree Chicken will support specialist therapies, medical equipment and future home adaptations. Alexander’s family, working with Tree of Hope, has already undertaken other fundraising activities, while the book is available through Amazon.

Colchester Pride will return to Firstsite on Saturday, August 15, featuring indoor and outdoor activities, a high-street parade, local and national performers, and food and drink stalls. Afterparties are planned at venues including The Dragonfly Lounge and CODA, with tickets available through the Colchester Pride website.

The 5 Parishes County Show attracted large crowds to Pete Tye Farm in Colchester for its 90th staging. The volunteer-run event featured entertainment, food and drink, nearly 80 stalls, vehicle displays and a competition marquee with about 750 entries. Two animal-related activities were cancelled or adjusted because of hot weather, but organisers said the show was a success and thanked visitors, sponsors, stallholders, entertainers and more than 80 volunteers.

Witham MP Priti Patel has asked Education Secretary Lucy Powell to urgently review and reverse the cancellation of funding for Lodge Farm Primary School and Nursery. The planned school was intended to provide up to 420 places for children in the 750-home Mulberries development, which was approved on the condition that new education capacity would be provided. Patel argues that cancelling the project will leave families without certainty and contribute to a shortage of school places as housing grows. Essex County Council could not comment, while the Department for Education had not responded.

The Colchester Farmer’s Market returned to the Mercury Theatre Piazza on a Saturday, attracting crowds and more than 30 independent producers. Visitors could buy biodynamic vegetables, organic salt marsh lamb, fresh bread, chocolates, New York-style bagels, seasonal flowers, handmade crafts and natural skincare products.

Hundreds of people attended St Helena Hospice’s Community Fun Day at Mile End Recreation Ground in Colchester. The event featured family entertainment, food stalls, live performances, car and dog shows, and activities including inflatable attractions and face painting. Supported by volunteers, local organisations and businesses, the event raised just over £12,000 to help St Helena Hospice support local people in need of its services.

Relay For Life Colchester returned to the Colchester Garrison Athletics Track for a 24-hour fundraising event supporting Cancer Research UK. Teams, cancer survivors and supporters walked through the day and night, with the event raising more than half of its £30,000 target. Activities included a survivors’ lunch, a Candle of Hope ceremony, live entertainment, family attractions and a raffle, while the event also honoured those affected by cancer and celebrated survivors.

The Redoubt Beer Festival returned to Harwich Redoubt Fort for four days from July 23 to July 26, attracting hundreds of visitors. Organized by Wharf Brewery Ltd, the festival offered more than 60 real ales, over 20 ciders, additional alcoholic drinks, food including homemade ice cream, and a Saturday evening performance by Ronnie Thurlow.

Thomas Forster, a former worker at Colchester's Playhouse Wetherspoon pub, has published The Old Man, an eight-story collection inspired by pub regulars, overlooked personalities and his experiences during his philosophy studies at the University of Essex. The central character explores grief, loneliness, addiction, depression and suicidal thinking through dark humour and an increasingly revealing inner monologue. Forster also drew on the loss of a friend and the influence of Charles Bukowski. He continues to work for Wetherspoon, plans to publish more writing and will travel around Southeast Asia with his girlfriend.

Essex pub and bar operators say a planned 20 percent reduction in business rates from April 2027 will do little to offset rising wages, employer National Insurance, energy bills and other overheads. Tom West of Jolly Good Pubs says employment costs have added almost £100,000 to the company’s annual expenses and warns that more pubs could close without broader support. Samantha Atterton of The Boot Room in Colchester doubts the savings will be substantial or that Labour will deliver them, while calling for start-up assistance and wider help for small businesses.

Relay For Life Colchester will return to Colchester Garrison Athletics Track from August 1 to 2, 2026, with teams walking laps during a 24-hour fundraiser for Cancer Research UK. The volunteer-led event will include entertainment, a candlelit remembrance ceremony, a survivors' celebration walk and a Fashion & Confidence Booth hosted by sponsor Slay Bae. Organizers are seeking additional business sponsorships, donations and participants.

A new print run of GreyFriars – The Seven Lives of a Special Site is now available, recounting nearly two millennia of history at Colchester’s Grey Friars site. Written by Joan Gurney and Alan Skinner after the closure and sale of the Adult Community College, the illustrated book explores the evolution of the site from Roman walls to its roles as priory, school and adult college. Initially published through the charity Learning Never Stops and later sold out, its second edition has been funded by GreyFriars Hotel and is available online and at the hotel. Guided tours and exhibitions continue to support public interest during annual Heritage Open Days.

Philippa Perry delivered a talk at Colchester Arts Centre promoting her debut crime novel Shrink Solves Murder, discussing its themes, writing process and her background as a psychotherapist. The Waterstones‑hosted event drew an engaged audience, featured a conversation with bookseller Carolyn Heslop and included a Q&A session. Perry confirmed a sequel is planned, and attendees participated in a book‑signing supported by Waterstones staff.