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The Sunspot development in Jaywick Sands has been shortlisted in the prestigious Institute of Economic Development (IED) Annual Awards 2024.

The Sunspot has been recognised in the Social Value Champion of the Year category, sponsored by Social Value Engine, highlighting its significant contribution to social value creation and positive community impact.

Now open for a year and run by Tendring District Council (TDC), Sunspot is a £5.3million workspace development, featuring 24 commercial units, a covered market, event space, café, and other amenities.

The project received substantial funding from various sources, including £2.39million from the Government’s Getting Building Fund administered by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), £2.04million from Essex County Council (ECC), and £816,000 from TDC. Additionally, part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation is being used for operating costs.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, TDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, expressed his pride in the recognition: “The Sunspot project was designed to be a gateway to Jaywick Sands, and being shortlisted for this award confirms that we have achieved our goal.

“The development is thriving, attracting businesses and visitors alike. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone involved.”

Councillor Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration at Essex County Council, added: “It is fantastic to see the Sunspot recognised on a national level.

“This space is not only a hub for businesses but also a valued destination for residents and visitors. I extend my gratitude to all who contributed to making this development a reality.”

The winners of the IED Annual Awards 2024 will be announced at a ceremony on 6th November at BMA House in London.

Talented young performers from dance schools in Clacton will be taking centre stage at this year’s magical Princes Theatre pantomime.

More than 20 students from The Dance House Academy, CCT Studios and Signature Dance Academy will be joining the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs this coming festive season.

The professional pantomime, which is being staged by new provider Shone Productions, will be put on at the Tendring District Council-run (TDC) theatre from 7 to 29 December.

Gary Scott, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: “Tendring has a wealth of fantastic dance schools and talented young performers – and I’m delighted that some of them will be taking to the stage at this year’s Princes Theatre pantomime.

“Raising aspirations for young people in our district and creating opportunities runs through everything we do, so it will be wonderful to see local youngsters get the chance to join a professional panto cast.

“This year’s pantomime is really shaping up to be a great production and will include a visual spectacle like no other, including 3D glasses being handed to the audience for special sections of the show.

“Tickets for all performances are on sale now and I’d encourage everybody to book theirs now for a show that will be packed with fun for all of the family.”

The pantomime adaptation of the Brothers Grimm classic tale features evil stepmothers, poisoned apples and tales of treachery – and loyalty – as the beautiful Snow White and her seven friends from the enchanted forest attempt to defeat the evil Wicked Queen.

The title role is played by Urdang Academy graduate Ellis Lloyd while Clacton’s very own Danny Lee Grew, an acclaimed magician, returns to his hometown in the role of Muddles.

There will also be a special guest appearance via pre-recorded video by CBBC’s Hacker T. Dog as the Magic Mirror.

There will be a series of special performances for pantomime fans to enjoy, including a preview performance on Saturday, 7 December, with all tickets priced at just £15, a special relaxed performance on Thursday, 19 December, at 6pm, and a British Sign Language (BSL) performance on Sunday, 15 December, at 3.30pm.

The young dancers will not be involved in the one-off adults-only show on Saturday, 28 December, at 8pm.

Tickets for the show are available now from the Princes Theatre website at www.princestheatre.co.uk or by calling the Box Office at 01255 686633 (Option 1).

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.”