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Parks and gardens around Tendring have kept their prestigious Green Flag Awards.

The district has maintained all four of its Green Flags for open spaces at Clacton Seafront Gardens, Weeley Crematorium and Gardens, Cliff Park in Dovercourt and Crescent Gardens in Frinton.

Mick Barry, Tendring District Council (TDC) Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Realm, said the awards were testament to the hard work of council staff and volunteers in maintaining the areas to such a high standard.

“All of our parks and gardens, not just these four, look fantastic and that is thanks to the incredible work in all weathers of our horticultural teams, and many volunteers who are passionate about their local area too,” Councillor Barry said.

“I am pleased for them that Keep Britain Tidy has rewarded their efforts with these four prestigious Green Flags – which recognises not only how beautiful a place is, but also the behind the scenes and community efforts too.”

Clacton Seafront Gardens won its first Green Flag in 2009, with Frinton’s Crescent Gardens joining it the next year. Weeley Crematorium’s grounds first received a Green Flag in 2013, while Cliff Park got its first Green Flag in 2016.

Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, the Green Flag scheme – now in its 28th year – assess not only the visual aspects of a site, such as its beauty, horticulture and cleanliness, but also community involvement, access and management, and are a sign of quality.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved across Tendring in achieving the Green Flag Awards.

“These are vital green spaces for the community in Tendring, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

Find out more about the Green Flag Awards at www.greenflagaward.org

The Essex Big Weekend is back. Many visitor attractions throughout Essex offer residents the chance to win hundreds of FREE entry tickets over the weekend of 6^th and 8^th October 2023. From castles to pubs, glamping to theatres, there is something for everyone to choose from.

The on-line ballot is open from 25th August – 25^th September, during which time residents can apply to win as many different tickets as they wish, however, there will only ever be one lucky winner per household. Tickets will then be allocated two weeks before the weekend.

Discover what’s ‘on your doorstep’ and enter The Essex BIG Weekend www.essexbigweekend.co.uk

Millets has officially declared Clacton as the fourth best coastal area in England and Wales!

A range of factors were researched including Google review ratings for the main beach of each coastal location, along with the water quality rating, warmest ocean water temperature and the average cost of parking for up to four hours.

Read the full article at www.millets.co.uk/blog/coastal-index

Seven beaches in Tendring have been handed prestigious awards by Keep Britain Tidy – including four of the top Blue Flags for the first time in eight years.

Two new beaches along the Essex Sunshine Coast have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for 2023, at Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze’s Albion beach. Brightlingsea and Dovercourt Bay also retained their Blue Flag status. In addition Brightlingsea, Harwich, Frinton, Walton-on-the-Naze’s Albion and Naze beaches, and Martello Bay in Clacton have all been given Seaside Awards in recognition of their quality.

Frinton last held a Blue Flag in 2016, while Walton’s Albion Beach had previously held a Blue Flag award but was not entered by Tendring District Council (TDC) last year as coastal works were anticipated to lead to a temporary drop in water quality.
Seaside Award beaches have amenities at a high standard where they are provided, and a Blue Flag is an even higher globally recognised accreditation for quality beaches, taking into account factors such as water quality and availability of nearby facilities.

Lee Heley, TDC Corporate Director for Place and Economy, said the awards recognised the quality of seafronts around the district as well as their beauty. “The Essex Sunshine Coast is wonderful place to enjoy, whether you live locally or travel in to visit,” Mr Heley said.
“In recognition of the importance of our coastline to the local economy, particularly tourism, we invest a lot of time, effort and money into our seafronts – and it is fantastic to have this work recognised with Blue Flag and Seaside Awards in this way.
“Having the prestigious Blue Flags and Seaside Awards make for an excellent advert for the Essex Sunshine Coast, and we hope will attract more visitors to Tendring.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.
“The Blue Flag is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
“We’d therefore like to recognise and applaud all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches. The collective efforts of beach managers, volunteers, residents and businesses all contribute to the success of these sites in achieving the incredibly high standards demanded.”

From August 18, residents from Essex, Kent and East Sussex can enter a ballot to be in with a chance of securing free tickets and vouchers for popular attractions, hotel and restaurants across Essex tanks to the Essex Bigger Weekend, hosted by Visit Essex

Whether you are grandparents keen to take grandchildren out for a day away from the crowds, a couple looking for a romantic midweek date or a family intent on making up for lost time, there is something for everyone in the Essex Bigger Weekend ballot.