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Local attractions, businesses and community organisations are being asked to consider lighting up for the Jubilee weekend from Thursday, 2 June until Sunday, 5 June.

On Sunday Queen Elizabeth II will become the first British monarch to reach the milestone of 70 years on the throne.

A series of events are planned across the world to mark the occasion, throughout the year, and Tendring district is being urged to be part of the celebrations.

Jeff Bray, Tendring District Council (TDC) Chairman, said now was the time to start planning.

“This truly is a remarkable and unprecedented achievement by our Queen, who has reigned through some of the most turbulent times in history,” Councillor Bray said.

“It would be fantastic if Tendring could pay its respects by marking this historic occasion with illuminations, festivities and other events – not just across the Jubilee bank holiday weekend, but throughout the year.”

TDC is in the process of setting up a Platinum Jubilee information page on its website, containing the latest advice and help for people looking to hold events marking the occasion.

A number of national initiatives have already set out, ranging from choir performances and pipers to beacon lighting, and the community is being encouraged to get involved.

Details of these, and practical information locally such as what permissions or paperwork might be required, will form the new web page – while details of how to organise a street party are already on the TDC website.

Organisers of events marking the jubilee are also being encouraged to share details via the TDC What’s On page on the website – which will also see them uploaded to the LoveTendring app.

Information can be uploaded at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/leisure/events-entertainment/whats-on for inclusion, free, within the guide.

LoveTendring, free to download on both Apple and Android, is an events and tourism app promoting what’s on and where to go in the district.

Councillor Bray added: “Now is the time to start planning activities, whether you’re looking to do something in June or later in the year; and shortly there will be more advice for you on our website to help.”

Useful links
Queens Jubilee official page www.royal.uk/platinumjubilee

Holding an event on Council owned land www.tendringdc.gov.uk/leisure/events-entertainment/do-you-want-hold-event-on-our-land-including-clactons-town-square

Organising a street party www.tendringdc.gov.uk/community/street-parties

In June 2022 Essex and Suffolk are combining to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a Festival of the Sea to inspire people to participate and celebrate all aspects of the sea and our extensive coastlines.

The Festival of the Sea 2022 will be held from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June 2022. Everyone can join in, on land or sea, entering a variety of activities each day, and arranging their own events on and off the water, along the coastlines of both counties. From sea shanties to rowing boats, stand up paddleboards to maritime museums, coastal walks to swimming, kayaking to rock-pooling, fishing competitions to boat skills, seafood to sailing craft – people of all ages can plan to celebrate the sea, highlighting ways to treasure and conserve its resources, and to take part in the festivities.

Whether taking part in the Parade of Boats or not, clubs and organisations on the coasts of Essex or Suffolk are invited to register an interest. Further information will follow. To get involved please email festivalofsea@gmail.com 

Event organisers are being reminded of a free service to promote their event.

Details shared with Tendring District Council (TDC) can be uploaded onto the website on the ‘What’s On’ page.

In addition entries are featured through the LoveTendring mobile app.

Alex Porter, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, encouraged people to share their events.

“Whether they are Christmas markets, village fetes or school open days – or bigger events such as music festivals or parades – let us help you share them,” Councillor Porter said.

“Not only will they appear on the TDC website, with some featured on the home page, but they’ll also be detailed on the LoveTendring app; meaning your event could be promoted right in people’s hands.”

As well as what’s on, the LoveTendring app also contains other useful information for residents, such as showing a ward map of the district and where polling stations are, and linking to the MyTendring online self-service system where people can do things like checking their rubbish day.

It is free to download on both the Apple Store (https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/love-tendring/id1571283893(link is external)) and Google Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tendringdc.LoveTendring(link is external)).

To submit details of an event visit the What’s On page and complete the form.

The district has held on to all four of its Green Flag Awards for open spaces at Clacton Seafront Gardens, Weeley Crematorium and Gardens, Cliff Park in Dovercourt and Crescent Gardens in Frinton.

Within their assessment of the sites, judges described Weeley Crematorium as “a site Tendring can be very proud of”.

Michael Talbot, Tendring District Council (TDC) Cabinet Member for Environment, praised the work of both authority staff and volunteers – including local In Bloom teams – for their work to maintain the spaces.

“In a year where we have continued to re-discover open spaces on our door step during Covid-19 restrictions, having quality parks and gardens has been more important than ever,” Councillor Talbot said.

“It has also been more challenging than ever to keep these spaces looking at the best, so I am particularly proud of our officers and the army of volunteers who work so hard to achieve this.

“Winning – and keeping – a Green Flag is no mean feat, so hats off to all involved.”

Clacton Seafront Gardens won its first Green Flag in 2009, with Frinton’s Crescent Gardens joining its ranks the following year. Weeley Crematorium’s grounds received a Green Flag in 2013, while Cliff Park was first awarded the flag in 2016.

Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, Green Flags 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. It is the 25th year of the awards, which are celebrating their Silver Jubilee.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Tendring’s sites worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that these four venues have high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and are places that support people to live healthy lives.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to look after a public open space in Tendring can contact Sean Biswell, TDC’s Temporary Community and Volunteer Projects Manager, on 07786 660603 or at seanbiswell@tendringdc.gov.uk.

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

The Importance of Supporting your Local Independents?

There are several great reasons to shop from your local independents rather than spending your cash with the giant retailers out there.

Preserve the unique and individual character of your towns and villages. A high street with varied people sharing their passions makes your high street a place to visit.

When you spend money with a local independent your coins stay in the local community. Imagine when you buy things from Amazon – a lot of that money will stay within the bank accounts of giant corporations.

Did you know that small independent businesses are some of the UK’s biggest employers. By supporting local you are helping create jobs right here in your community.

With no overseas travel or long truck journeys, the majority of local food and produce does not negatively impact the environment.

Click It Local, is a virtual high street that enables shoppers to buy from any independent shop from the local high street and have it delivered straight to their door on the same day. Our mission is to help save local high streets across the UK by making shopping local easier and faster than using the likes of Amazon.

Residents across the whole of Tendring (and Essex) are now able to use Click It Local to purchase from any of their favourite independent shops from their local high street all in one place, with one payment, and have it delivered straight to their door on the same day, next day or arrange to collect.

From weekly food essentials, gifts, and treats to last-minute basics, customers can buy everything they need from as many different shops as they like with one payment and one delivery. There are some amazing local Tendring businesses onboard already including Un-Sealed, Hobsons Deli and Little Boat Gift Shop– it’s all there from your local butchers, fishmongers, florists, gift shops, and many more. Simply put your postcode in and start shopping from your local favourites. https://www.clickitlocal.co.uk/tendring

Working with Click It Local is a pleasure – their customer service team are super responsive and helpful when needed and the dashboard is very user friendly and really useful for managing products, stock and orders. The delivery element of Click It Local has really made a difference for us and saves lots of trips to the post office so thank you! It’s great to sit alongside other local businesses on the website and we look forward to continuing to work with the team at Click It Local in the future!

If you are a business in Tendring and would like to join the Click IT Local mission to help save the high street please get in touch hello@clickitlocal.co.uk or sign up directly at https://www.clickitlocal.co.uk/store-sign-up/

The dates for the 2022 Clacton Airshow are Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August with a twilight display taking place on the Thursday only.

Visit www.clactonairshow.com

An extra flight has been announced for the first day of the Clacton 150 anniversary flights.

Two US Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing, operating out of RAF Lakenheath, will grace the skies above Clacton on Thursday (26 August) – subject to operational commitments.

Swooping over the seafront at around 2.30pm, the fast jets will kick-start the day’s flying programme, which continues with displays from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at 2.45pm and the Red Arrows from 3.15-3.45pm.

On Friday (27 August) the displays are reversed with the Red Arrows at 12.45pm and the BBMF between 1.30-1.45pm.

The Anniversary Flights are part of the celebrations marking Clacton’s 150th birthday this year.

Alex Porter, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at Tendring District Council (TDC) – which is running the event – said the presence of the F15s was a real coup.

“We want to say a huge thank you to the US Air Force as it is relatively rare for USAF F-15s to fly at events such as this, so this is a real opportunity for flight fans, residents and visitors to see some truly superb jets in action,” Cllr Porter said.

“The Strike Eagles are amazing feats of aeronautic engineering and I can’t wait to watch them in action as part of what is a spectacular line-up the Clacton 150 Anniversary Flights.

“With only a few days to go I am really excited to be able to watch these spectacular flights above the skies of Clacton, and hope everyone else is too.”

The F-15E is designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with low altitude capability, and has a two-man crew of pilot and weapons officer. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney engines, the plane can accelerate from idle power to maximum speed in less than four seconds, with a total thrust of up to 58,000 pounds depending on the model.

Its top speed is 1,875mph (Mach 2.5) and the jet can climb to 60,000 feet.

BBC Essex is the only way to hear live coverage of the Clacton 150 Anniversary Flights. Tune in from 2pm on Thursday and 12noon on Friday for exclusive commentary from the seafront, using your smartphone or radio.

People planning to watch the Clacton 150 Anniversary Flights are advised to plan their trip and download the free Love Tendring app which shows how busy beaches are, so they can spread out across the seafront.

As well as plenty of parking in the area there will be a Rotary Club car park next to Clacton Airfield (£5 cash for all day parking), cyclists can use the national cycle network 150, and there will also be a Park and Ride services from Hedingham Buses at Clacton Shopping Village.