Iman Choksy

Royal Navy D-Day veterans Ronald Hendrey, 101, of Clacton, and Henry Rice, 100, of London, met in Clacton for the first time more than 80 years after serving in the Normandy landings. The reunion was organized by 29-year-old historian Jay Hawkins, who spent about 10 months arranging the meeting while accounting for the veterans’ fragile health. Hawkins has spent six years recording the experiences of surviving British World War II veterans through the Lee Enfield Project, collecting more than 160 signatures on a wartime rifle and planning to share recorded interviews with schools and online audiences.

Siblings Noah and Yasmine Poonian moved from El Hierro in Spain to England after their mother, Patricia, became seriously ill during a family visit. They adapted to English-language schooling and different curriculum expectations after attending Spanish primary school. Drawing on their existing Spanish skills, they sat the language GCSE five years early through online weekend preparation, despite Spanish not being offered at Noah's school, and are expected to achieve high grades. Their mother’s health is now stable, and she expressed pride in their accomplishments.

Frinton-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club opened a new croquet lawn as membership in its croquet section more than doubled over the past year. A vintage-themed event marked the sixth anniversary of croquet’s reintroduction at the club and celebrated a tradition dating back to 1910. The club’s Croquet Club Championship Finals Day will conclude the season on August 29.

Richard and Colleen Prior have withdrawn The Court House in Great Bromley from sale after local opposition to the planned £950,000 listing. The pub, restaurant and B&B, which won an episode of Channel 4’s Four in a Bed in 2024, will remain open and be run by the couple for the foreseeable future. The owners had originally intended to sell it to invest in expanding their Wooden Fender business, but say the Court House remains busy and successful.

Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Thorrington rescued several groups of orphaned hoglets, including three that had been left alone for several days. The hoglets were found severely dehydrated and are now receiving care. The rescue comes amid a reported increase in hedgehogs being involved in road traffic collisions.

The sixth annual Ballin’ with a Bobby programme will offer free basketball sessions for young people aged seven to 18 in Colchester and Stanway during the summer holidays. Run jointly by Essex Police and the University of Essex’s Essex Rebels, the scheme aims to build trust between police and youths, develop life skills, and discuss issues including gangs, knife crime, hate crime, consent and antisocial behaviour. Sessions will take place at several local venues in August, with registration required for the University of Essex event.

Laura Trotman says Three UK permanently deleted the final voicemail from her late father after a 15-day retention period she claims was not disclosed when she saved it. She has contacted MP Sir Bernard Jenkin, Ofcom and several bereavement and consumer organizations, and launched a petition calling for mobile networks to provide clear warnings and safeguards. Three apologized for the distress and is investigating whether the message can be recovered.

Fenwick’s Colchester department store has completed Guide Dogs’ specialist sighted-guiding training, becoming the first store in Essex to achieve the status. Staff learned best-practice techniques through exercises involving blindfolds, navigating the shop floor and describing spaces and products. The training enables employees to support customers with sight loss and is intended to make the store and wider public spaces more accessible. Guide Dogs cited survey findings that 48% of respondents would benefit from more sighted guiding in shops.

Girlguiding members in Colchester attended the launch of the organization’s first major uniform update in 30 years. Designed by HemingwayDesign with input from 55,000 girls and women, the new uniform emphasizes comfort, flexibility, personal choice and more sustainable materials. Members and local shop operators welcomed the modern designs, while Girlguiding Essex North East highlighted the uniform’s role in belonging, identity, confidence and community.

The Essex Golf and Country Club Seniors raised a record £6,850 for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance at their annual charity golf day. The April event, sponsored by Hobbs Estates, included golf competitions, a carvery meal, raffle and auction. Vice-captain Pete Sutton presented the cheque to charity representative Clair Mitchell, with organizers thanking participants and donors for supporting the air ambulance’s lifesaving work.

Peter Miller, 78, is retiring from Kings Seeds in Kelvedon after 63 years with the company, having joined at 15 in 1963. He progressed from warehouse work and crop inspection to become purchasing manager, overseeing seed imports and crop-growing contracts, before later assisting the horticultural director. Miller witnessed major changes in the seed business, including expanded demand for garlic, oriental vegetables, peppers and tomatoes, as well as the replacement of manual work with machinery. He plans to focus more on his allotment and volunteering at Coggeshall Cricket Ground, while remaining available to help Kings Seeds during busy periods.

Cousins Emma Brook of Colchester and Isla Wootten-Campbell of Kelvedon, both aged 10, have been selected for the English Youth Ballet’s production of Giselle. They will perform at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre on August 28 and 29 alongside 100 young dancers and professional performers. Both girls train at Miss G’s Academy of Performing Arts and hope to develop their ballet technique and performance skills through intensive rehearsals. The production, set in the Edwardian era, will feature Olivia Richards as Giselle.

A new 24‑hour Dog Wash Express self‑service dog washing station has opened at the Ship in Kirby‑le‑Soken, offering warm water wash systems, premium shampoos and drying options. Pricing ranges from five minutes for £5 to 15 minutes for £12, with a loyalty scheme providing every tenth wash free. The station targets dog owners across Tendring and supports the company’s expansion plans across Essex and the wider UK.

A reporter recounts a day trip to Harwich and Dovercourt, highlighting peaceful beaches, welcoming locals and thriving independent shops. Stops included Harwich Library, Dovercourt Bay Beach, local retailers, The Fish House and Brass Monkeys Coffee House. A walk along Ha’Penny Pier and the Harwich Maritime Trail provided historical context and scenic views. The visit revealed the towns as calm, friendly destinations well suited for a relaxing solo outing.

Residents and business owners describe evacuations and disruption after a deliberate fire at the vacant former Wellworth-a-Pound store on Dovercourt High Street. Twenty-five firefighters responded, evacuating nearby flats for two hours. Locals report smoke, property concerns and fear, while shop owners note the repeatedly vandalised state of the empty building. No injuries or significant residential damage were reported.