Author: Sarah Daniells

Greater Anglia has introduced new Ranger tickets for use on the #Mayflower and #SunshineCoast branch lines.

Introduced through working alongside the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership, the Ranger’ tickets are available for the ‘Mayflower Line’ between #Manningtree and #Harwich and the ‘Sunshine Coast’ line between #Colchester and #Clacton-on-Sea / #Walton-on-the-Naze.

Tickets provide holders with unlimited travel at off-peak times on either Line. An advantage is that holders can use them to travel between different places along the line hopping on and off all day.

For further information, visit: www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/09/new-ranger-tickets-are-ideal-for-days-out-in-essex.html

A host of exciting guest speakers will be sharing their knowledge and expertise with local businesses at next month’s Tendring4Growth Business Fortnight.

Firms across Tendring are being reminded that they can get advice on how to boost business at a series of free networking events and seminars run by Tendring District Council (TDC).

The fortnight will feature expert speakers covering topics on digital marketing and women in business, as well as specific industries such as tourism, business in town centres, and creative and cultural arts.

The initiative will include events across Tendring from Monday, 23 September to Wednesday, 2 October, including the annual Jobs and Skills Fair.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said there were a range of exciting speakers lined up for the events.

“Our Tendring4Growth Business Fortnight is always a great opportunity for local businesses to share best practice, network and pick up advice from experts and guest speakers,” he said.

“There’s a real range of subjects being discussed and I look forward to meeting local firms from across the district to hear about their achievements.

“We have an exciting line-up of guest speakers and I would like to thank them all for being willing to share their expertise and experiences to help boost business for everyone in our district.

“Raising aspirations and creating opportunities runs through everything we do.”

The Tendring4Growth Business Fortnight starts with the launch event Regenerating Tendring at Clacton Leisure Centre on Monday, 23 September, from 10am to 12.30pm.

It will offer a broad overview of business success stories and attendees can learn about opportunities for growth within Tendring, including a host of exciting projects.

Speakers will include Councillor Henderson alongside Freeport East’s Chief Executive Steve Beel, Harwich Town Partnership’s Paul Milsom and Stuart Burns, from award-winning Clacton firm Dura Composites.

This will be followed by the ‘Tendring Tourism’ event on Tuesday, 24 September, from 10am to 12.30pm, at the Kingscliff Hotel in Holland-on-Sea, where people can hear about shared goals of the industry and upcoming initiatives to support costal and rural tourism.

Guest speakers include Essex County Council’s Lucy Bones, Clacton Pier’s Harry Peek, Thomas Hide from Frinton Golf Club and Michelle Nye-Browne from the Naze Tower in Walton.

The ‘Boost Your Digital Presence’ event takes place on Wednesday, 25 September, from 9.30am to 12noon, at the Lifehouse Spa and Hotel in Thorpe-le-Soken.

It will explain how firms can breathe new life into social media pages, best practice to protect against ransomware attacks and how AI marketing can help businesses to grow.

Speakers will include Carla Watkins, from Visual Magic Marker, Kate Everett from The Write Impression, Essex Police’s Nicola Doubleday and Kelsie Lowe from Roam Creative Marketing.

The Jobs and Skills Fair will return to Clacton Town Hall on Thursday, 26 September, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, providing the opportunity for businesses to come face-to-face with a diverse range of potential candidates.

Week two begins with a Women in Business networking event on Monday, 30 September, at The Waterfront in Dovercourt, from 9.30am to 12noon, when attendees will be empowered by inspirational stories and business guidance across a range of industries.

Speakers include Helen Armstrong, from Silver Cloud, Susan Daish, the High Steward of Harwich and Eve Calderbank from Ambitious Women in Essex.

The ‘Coastal Creativity and Entrepreneurship’ event on Tuesday, 1 October, from 9.30am to 1pm, at The Electric Palace in Harwich, is a chance for local creatives to discover support to access funding, network, and discuss projects with TDC’s Creativity and Culture Team.

Guest speakers include Colbea’s Simon Mead and Matthew Liney from Funnelwick Limb.

The Business Fortnight concludes with the High Street Heroes event at The Nose bookshop in Walton-on-the-Naze on Wednesday, 2 October, from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Town centre-based businesses will be able to network, find out what they can do to improve trade, and the support available from the council.

The guest speakers will be Eleanor Brown, from The Nose, Winyl’s Steve Tattam, Denni King from Bird and Bean, and Little Boat Gift’s Olivia Reilly.

To find out more and to book your place at an event, go to www.tendringdc.gov.uk/content/businessfortnight.

Families descended on Clacton town centre for a celebration of storytelling and children’s theatre.

The first ever Word on the Street festival took place on the Town Square on Saturday, June 15, between 11am and 4pm.

The new outdoors art event was run by Manningtree’s The Grand Theatre of Lemmings and the Tendring Cultural Education Partnership with support from Tendring District Council, Arts Council England and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The day featured storytelling, outdoor shows, stilt-walking and circus workshops, as well as a Clacton-inspired mural for children to colour in.

Mandy Rose, from the Grand Theatre of Lemmings, said: “It was a fabulous event and hundreds of people turned out throughout the day to join in the fun.

A performer at the Word on the Street festival in Clacton Town Square. Image: Kevin Jay
“The whole event, which was free of charge, was aimed at getting young people and their families to interact with the storytelling, theatre and outdoor art.

“It was wonderful to see so many young people take part in the activities, which were aimed at broadening their creative horizons.”

Jessica Bryan, TDC’s Tourism, Arts and Events Manager, said the event has helped to inspire young people.

“This wonderful new festival was all about creating shared moments of joy for families and helping people to take pride in our area alongside promoting our heritage and attracting visitors,” she said.

The Word on the Street festival included a circus workshop in Clacton Town Square. Image: Kevin Jay
“We wanted to help provide an opportunity for children, family and friends across generations to spend time together at no cost while getting involved in creativity and culture.

“Inclusive events like the Word on the Street will help to redefine our public spaces, showcasing our brilliant creative community and giving a boost to our town centre shops.

“We hope that this free event has inspired young people in the district to raise their aspirations and get involved in the arts.”

Cyclists, skateboarders and families are gearing up for a fun biking and community event in Tendring next weekend.

The Tour de Tendring will be returning to the district’s beautiful coastline and countryside on Sunday, 19 May.

The event will include a host of fun activities at the starting/finishing point at Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles, in Wick Lane, Dovercourt.

The Tour de Tendring, which gets underway from 8am, is organised by Bike Events and is part-funded by Tendring District Council (TDC).

Euan Scott-Batey, from Bike Events, said: “The picturesque district of Tendring offers perfect cycling country with quiet roads, low hills and views to the sea.

“With 60 or 20-mile circular routes, the Tour is an opportunity for cyclists of all abilities to enjoy a day of fully-supported cycling, with signed routes, refreshment stops and cycle mechanics on hand as they explore the beautiful countryside between the Stour and the sea.”

The Essex Pedal Power team, which is planning to give out 5,000 free bikes by next year in a bid to make cycling accessible to everyone, will also be at the event alongside accessible cycling charity Wheels for All and Essex County Council’s Dr Bike workshop.

There will be food and drink and exhibitions as well as an open day at Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles.

It will include a free swim for bike ride participants with a Tour de Tendring bib, gym challenges with prizes for winners and free classes can be booked by leisure centre customers in the Studio between 8.30am and 2pm.

Alongside the cycling event, Maverick Skateparks and Harwich Town Council will be hosting Skatepark Jam at Harwich and Dovercourt Skatepark, behind the leisure centre.

The skatepark jam takes place from 12noon to 4pm and will include music, demonstrations, competitions and prizes.

Mick Barry, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Realm, said the cycling event is a great way to explore the district.

“The Tour de Tendring is not just a wonderful event, it is a great way to get active while exploring the countryside and the Essex Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“We’re inviting charities to join in the fun by either signing up their own teams to take part or by encouraging people to take on the challenge to fundraise for a charity close to their heart.

“There will also be a host of activities, so don’t forget to bring your friends and family to come and support this fun event.”

As well as the traditional start point in Harwich, it had been hoped that a new start point could also be introduced in Holland-on-Sea, but that will now not go ahead due to a low uptake of cyclists choosing the new location.

If you want to take part on your own or with family and friends, book online at www.bike-events.co.uk/tourdetendring.