Category: Blog

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.

Welcome to Clacton 150 Anniversary Flight information page! Below you will find some key information to help with your visit. More information can be found at C150 FAQS

The Clacton 150 anniversary flights will feature the RAF Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and has replaced the annual Clacton Airshow which unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout the planning stages could not happen.

This is not a full air show and is a flight only event consisting of two display teams. There will be no trade, exhibition, ground events/entertainment or programmes sold. However, a full air show will return next year on 25th & 26th August 2022.

Event dates:
Thursday 26th & Friday 27th August.

Flight display times:
Thursday 26 August
14:45 – 15:00 BBMF
15:15 – 15:45 Red Arrows

Friday 27 August
12:45 – 13:15 Red Arrows
13:30 – 13:45 BBMF

Location:
Along Clacton Seafront. However, there is adequate viewing and vantage points available from the East side of Clacton Pier (towards Holland-on-Sea) to Clacton Martello Beach (What3Words: starlight.repeated.protests) including our upper and lower promenades and West Greensward. Please be aware that these areas get very busy.

Are the displays suitable for young children?
This is a family event. The louder, faster jets can be very noisy! If you have ear defenders it is advisable to bring them.

Getting here:
By Car
From London and the M25, take the A12 signed Chelmsford and Colchester, pass the exits to Colchester West and Colchester Central, and then join the A120 signposted Harwich and Clacton.

From the Midlands and North, follow the A14 (signposted Felixstowe/Harwich) until you are south of Ipswich. Join the A12 signposted London, then take the A120 signposted Harwich. From the A120 join the A133 for Clacton, Frinton, Walton, St Osyth, Brightlingsea etc.

By Ferry
Harwich International Port is one of the UK’s leading freight and passenger ports with
excellent links to the Midlands, London and the South East. The passenger ferry terminal is run by Stena Line.

By Air
London Stansted airport is within easy reach by road (approximately 60 miles.)

By Rail
Regular trains run to the Essex Sunshine Coast with daily direct services from both Clacton and Harwich International to London Liverpool Street. Average journey time from London is 1 hour 45 minutes.
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk and www.greateranglia.co.uk

By Bus
For local bus services visit www.hedingham.co.uk

By Coach
National Express operates regular coach services to Clacton-on-Sea, Frinton-on-Sea, Harwich and Walton-on-the-Naze.

Parking:
A park & ride service provided by Hedingham is available from Clacton Factory Outlet (CO15 4TL) routes 136 and 137, drop off and pick up Clacton Pier Avenue. £3.90 per adult or £5.80 for a family ticket. Timings are 7.47 from Clacton Factory Outlet to 18.13 from Pier Avenue (Stand B). Buses operate every 15 minutes.

West Road Cark Park (Cash only) run by the Rotary Club of Clacton-on-Sea which will be open from 08.00 to 18.00 on both days. Admission to park will cost £5.00 for the day – to walk from the West Road Car Park (CO15 1AJ) to Toby Carvery will take around 10mins.

Is there disabled parking?
Yes, but these fill up very quickly in the local car parks.  However, the West Road Car Park, CO15 1AJ offers an accessible shuttle bus service.

Where can I find a coach drop off point?
The main drop off point is Martello Coach Park.   More information can be obtained from TDC’s Parking Services.

Are there any road closures I need to be aware of?
Yes at Pier Gap for the duration of the event.  

Can I cycle?
Yes, however you will need to dismount at either Clacton Pier or at Clacton Lifeboat Station (dependant on where you arrive)  Click here for more information about cycling on our proms!

Lost persons:
If you are lost or need to ask for assistance, look out for one of our Event Stewards or TDCs Beach Patrol team who will be able to assist you.

Lost persons points can be found at any of the TDC Beach Patrol office (as shown below).

A free wrist band scheme operates along the seafront with each section of the beach colour coded. Children are given a corresponding wrist band which makes the task of re-uniting lost children with their family a lot easier. Wrist bands can be obtained from the TDC Beach Patrol Office and stewards.

First Aid Points:
TDC Beach Patrol office located to the West of the Pier. (What3Words: pays.conquest.postcard)
TDC Beach Patrol office located at Palace Beach. (What3Words: ordeals.hunk.grit)
TDC Beach Patrol located at Martello Beach. (What3Words: starlight.repeated.protests)

Web: what3words
App: what3words

Where can I get up to date information now and on the day?
Via our Twitter page @ClactonAirshow
Via our Facebook page @TheSunshineCoastOffcial

Tune in to BBC Essex to hear commentary of the Clacton 150 Anniversary Flights. Steve Scruton & Ian Wyatt will have exclusive coverage live from the seafront from 2pm on Thursday 26th, and 12 noon on Friday 27th. BBC Essex  95.3 FM/ 103.5 FM who will be running special programmes live!

Download the Love Tendring app  – where you can find information on nearby car parks, toilets and other facilities.  It also tells you how busy beaches are based on hourly data from TDC’s Beach Patrol.

LoveTendring for Android
LoveTendring for Apple

COVID-19 will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, so we need to learn to live with it and manage the risk to ourselves and others.

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, it is important that we all use personal judgement to manage our own risk. While no situation is risk free, there are actions we can take to protect ourselves and others around us. Following the Government guidance will help you stay safe and protect others by controlling the spread.

Fresh Air – Meet outside, or open windows and doors for indoor visitors.
Testing – If you think you have symptoms stay at home and take a PCR test.
Face Coverings – Wear face coverings in crowded places and on public transport.
App – Check in to venues when you go out.
Handwashing – Wash your hands with soap regularly, and for at least 20 seconds.

For further information on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus

A ribbon was cut Friday 16 July to officially open a new heritage trail marking 150 years of Clacton-on-Sea.

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to follow the Clacton 150 trail and learn about what was in the area before building of the town began, how the resort grew during the Victorian and Edwardian periods, and some notable landmarks such as the town’s many theatres and cinemas.

The trail has been installed by Tendring District Council (TDC), with funding from National Heritage Lottery Fund, ahead of Sunday (18 July) which marks 150 years since the first ship docked at the newly completed Clacton Pier – and the town’s birthday.

Read more about Clacton 150 on the project web page.

Jeff Bray, TDC Chairman, cut the ribbon on the information board which overlooks Clacton Pier and is adjacent to a Clacton 150 flowerbed display planted by the council’s horticulture team.

“The Clacton 150 trail is eye-catching in its colour, and the pictures and information on the boards and really interesting to read,” Councillor Bray said.

“Along the way there’s something for everyone, whether you want to re-live a trip to Butlin’s or you’re intrigued by some of the characters who helped to shape the town to what it is today.”

The trail consists of 19 information boards, stretching from Jaywick Sands to Holland Haven and going into Clacton town centre, charting various aspects of Clacton’s history. Some of the board also have augmented reality options for those with smartphones, and there are also audio benches recanting people’s memories of the town.

Also at the ribbon cutting were two historians, Roger Kennell and Richard Walker, who were among the team who helped to research and write the information on the trail.

Mr Kennell, who is part of the Victoria County History Group and the Clacton and District Local History Society said he was delighted to see the town’s history displayed for all to enjoy.

“I don’t to give it all away as people should come and enjoy the trail,” he said.

“But to think that the vision of one man – Peter Bruff – to buy up 50 acres of land and build a railway and pier to capitalise on the growing popularity of seaside resorts led to the modern town of Clacton we see today is staggering to think.

“It has been a lot of fun diving into various strands of history along the way as we developed the trail.”

Councillor Alex Porter, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, added: “It has been fascinating to learn about Clacton’s history, and I would recommend everyone takes time to read the information boards.

“There is so much going on in Clacton, and the whole of Tendring, this summer – from the Clacton 150 and Mayflower 400 heritage trails, to Octopus Ahoy and Street Tag, to the big wheels at Clacton Pavilion and Clacton Pier. So why not come along and do it all, making the most of all the Essex Sunshine Coast has to offer?”

Clacton Pier will be marking its anniversary in a few weeks’ time on 27 July, which was the official opening of the attraction 150 years ago, and is holding weekly firework displays during the school summer holidays.

The Clacton 150 celebrations received £250,000 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, which has paid for the heritage trail and two staff to co-ordinate events and activities.

People and businesses are encouraged to hold their own events and activities to celebrate Clacton 150, and share details with the co-ordinating team at clacton150@tendringdc.gov.uk.