A proposal has been set out to bring an elite professional cycling event to Clacton later this Spring.
Tendring District Council (TDC) is considering plans to host a round of the Tour Series within the town centre in May.
The Tour Series is an evening event which sees pro cycling teams take on a ‘criterium’, racing on closed circuit laps around town and city centres. There is both a men’s and women’s event, with fun for all the family during the day building up to the racing action.
A recommendation to host the Tour Series, and put £80,000 towards staging the event, will go before Cabinet on Friday (25 March) as part of the Corporate Investment Panel work.
Alex Porter, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said he would be recommending the event to his colleagues for approval.
“Tendring District Council has a long history of hosting elite cycle events, and the Tour Series is fantastic for both spectators and local businesses,” Councillor Porter said.
“The compact format means spectators can see the action unfold before them each lap, across both the women’s and men’s races, while town centre businesses will benefit from crowds well into the evening.
“This is such a great opportunity to showcase Clacton and we’re hoping businesses will really gear up with window displays and offers to welcome visitors – and draw them back for future visits – hence why I am recommending this to my Cabinet colleagues for approval.”
If approved by Cabinet the council will write to town centre businesses with further information on how they can get involved in the event.
TDC has previously hosted elite cycle event stages, including three stages of the Women’s Tour (including the inaugural tour) and the Tour of Britain.
Hospitality is now open for booking for the 2022 event.
Boasting unrivaled views of the display along the award-winning seafronts, this exclusive area located on central site offers a unique visitor experience to admire the aerial displays on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August. Twilight flights take place on Thursday evening only and a firework display on Clacton Pier will mark end of the event on Friday.
Tickets are priced:
Thursday – £57.50
Open 11am – 8.30pm
Lunch served at 12:30
Evening snack served at 6.30pm
Closed 8.30pm
Friday – £49.50
Open 11am – 5pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Closed at 5pm
And include:
Lunch
Starter – Tomato & Mozzarella Bruschetta
Main – Chicken wrapped in Parma Ham, Spring Onion Mash,
Dessert – Bakewell tart, Cream Chantilly
Wine with lunch
Unlimited tea & coffee
Luxury toilets
Exclusive marquee
Viewing platform
VIP Parking (short walk)
A spectacular twilight aerial display will get the 2022 Illuminate Festival off to a flying start in Historic Harwich.
The festival, a celebration of the town’s heritage – and in particular its links to The Mayflower ship which carried the first Pilgrims to America – will return this year after a break forced by Covid-19.
This year Illuminate will be held in March, instead of its usual calendar slot in November to tie in with Thanksgiving, to kick-start a packed events programme in Harwich, and Tendring.
Alex Porter, Tendring District Council (TDC) Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said the event was one not to be missed.
“Showcasing both the amazing heritage in Harwich, and its strong community spirit, Illuminate Festival is a must-see in the events calendar,” Councillor Porter said.
“After our forced absence due to Covid I am glad that the festival is returning to kick-start a year of fantastic events; with Illuminate’s lights, fun and festivities what better way to welcome in 2022.
“Our thanks go to the many and varied community partners helping us to put on this fantastic event.”
The event will run from 6pm until 9.30pm on Friday, 25 March.
More details will be released in the coming weeks, but visitors can expect the return of crowd favourites such as the Spark! drummers, flights, street entertainment and torchlight procession by the local community.
For the latest information on the Illuminate Festival people should visit the Historic Harwich website www.historicharwich.co.uk or Facebook page, or check out the LoveTendring tourism and events app, free to download on Apple and Android devices.
Illuminate Festivals have been held by destinations across the world linked by the Mayflower story. The theme is inspired by the words of William Bradford, a Mayflower passenger elected as the settlers’ first governor, who wrote “Just as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many.”
Harwich was not only home to the Mayflower, which was registered at the port, but several of the crew were residents of the town including the ship’s master and co-owner Christopher Jones – whose house still stands in Kings Head Street.
Other notable Harwich residents on the voyage include the cooper John Alden – the first on-board to set foot on American soil, and whose descendants include Marilyn Monroe and Dick Van Dyke. In total 30 million people worldwide can trace their roots back to the 132 pilgrims and crew from the historic voyage.
Councillor Porter added: “Harwich’s links to The Mayflower are extraordinary, and tangible, and definitely to be both celebrated and enjoyed – whether by visiting Christopher Jones’ House, taking on The Mayflower Trail, or one of the many other excellent Mayflower activities in the town from the Harwich Society and others.”
Update March 10th, 2022
A stunning programme has been unveiled for this month’s Illuminate Festival in Historic Harwich.
Visitors will be welcomed along The Quay in the town from 6pm on Friday, 25 March with a performance from local choir Harwich Sing, while street entertainment will mingle with the crowds.
The event will then take to the skies with a spectacular aerobatic flight display from the Fireflies, due to begin at 6.30pm.
Following the aerial show eyes will turn back to The Quay where the dramatic Sparks! drummers will perform as the torch-lit procession forms up behind them to parade around the town.
As the procession returns there will be a feast of entertainment throughout the evening, from stilt walkers and the light gliders, to Sparks! and Harwich Sing; all accompanied by light projections along the waterfront.
Well-known radio presenters Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt will be hosting the event, which runs until 9.30pm, while there are also food stands on and around the event site.
Alex Porter, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at Tendring District Council (TDC), which is staging the festival, said the event was one not to be missed.
“Illuminate Festival is a brilliant, visually stunning celebration of Harwich’s history, and we’re so excited to bring the event back after its pandemic-forced absence,” Councillor Porter said.
“The festival is fun for all the family, with children encouraged to take part in the procession, so why not wrap up and spend your Friday evening in beautiful Harwich?”
TDC is working with the Harwich Festival of the Arts, who are running lantern making workshops in local schools to form the torch-lit procession, and the Grand Theatre of Lemmings which is providing the street entertainment.
For the latest information on the Illuminate Festival people should visit the Historic Harwich website (www.historicharwich.co.uk(link is external)) or Facebook page, or check out the LoveTendring tourism and events app, free to download on Apple and Android devices.
The 2019 Harwich Illuminate Festival saw an estimated 6,000 visitors across two days of activities.
Update March 21, 2022
Why not kickstart a weekend away in Historic Harwich with Illuminate Festival?
Visitors heading to Harwich for the sparkling Illuminate Festival are being encouraged to extend their stay in the historic town.
Illuminate Festival, being held on Harwich Quay from 6pm on Friday, 25 March, will see street entertainment and projections, a spectacular aerial display from The Firebirds and torch-lit procession lead by the incredible Spark! drummers. Festivities continue on until 9.30pm.
People are being encouraged to make a weekend of their trip, staying in one of the several quality hotels in and around the town.
To find out more about travelling to, staying in and eating out around Harwich visit www.historicharwich.co.uk(link is external).
Alex Porter, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism at Tendring District Council (TDC), which is staging Illuminate Festival, encouraged people to plan their visit in advance.
“There is so much history in Harwich, and so much to see and do as a result, I’d really recommend people make a weekend of it,” Councillor Porter said.
“Why not enjoy Illuminate Festival then stay in a hotel, try some of the fabulous eateries and explore the various trails, museums and other places to go over the Saturday and Sunday?
“There is plenty to see and enjoy at the Festival, while food and drink can be found either at one of the vendors within the event area or in the numerous local businesses in Historic Harwich.”
Local residents are encouraged to walk or cycle to the event. Those coming from further afield can take a train service to Harwich Town, and then enjoy a ten-minute walk to the Festival, or take a bus service from Colchester or Clacton.
Visitors planning on driving to the festival can use the event car park at Harwich Green – accessed from Harbour Crescent – which opens from 5pm, or one of the nearby public car parks.
“Illuminate Festival is such a spectacular experience you really don’t want to miss out – but we all know that to get the most from your trip it’s useful to work out beforehand how you’re getting there and where you’re staying,” Councillor Porter added.
The 2019 Harwich Illuminate Festival saw an estimated 6,000 visitors across two days of activities.
Now open for applications, the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural fund has been designed to help organisations and practitioners to deliver a broad and exciting range of work and activity to engage with and bring communities together.
The ECC Arts and Cultural Fund will offer artists and cultural organisations grants from £2,500 to £30,000 to deliver projects to help support and rejuvenate the Essex arts and culture sector, as well as the county’s towns and city high streets.
The fund will support projects, which will contribute to ECC’s Everyone’s Essex: The Plan for Essex 2021-2025 within the music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, combined arts, including festivals and carnivals, museums and the wider creative sectors.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Image: River Colne Food
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.
Image: Sweet Treats Tendring
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
Image: Small Town Brownies
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!
