Category: News

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.”

Cyclists, skateboarders and families are gearing up for a fun biking and community event in Tendring next weekend.

The Tour de Tendring will be returning to the district’s beautiful coastline and countryside on Sunday, 19 May.

The event will include a host of fun activities at the starting/finishing point at Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles, in Wick Lane, Dovercourt.

The Tour de Tendring, which gets underway from 8am, is organised by Bike Events and is part-funded by Tendring District Council (TDC).

Euan Scott-Batey, from Bike Events, said: “The picturesque district of Tendring offers perfect cycling country with quiet roads, low hills and views to the sea.

“With 60 or 20-mile circular routes, the Tour is an opportunity for cyclists of all abilities to enjoy a day of fully-supported cycling, with signed routes, refreshment stops and cycle mechanics on hand as they explore the beautiful countryside between the Stour and the sea.”

The Essex Pedal Power team, which is planning to give out 5,000 free bikes by next year in a bid to make cycling accessible to everyone, will also be at the event alongside accessible cycling charity Wheels for All and Essex County Council’s Dr Bike workshop.

There will be food and drink and exhibitions as well as an open day at Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles.

It will include a free swim for bike ride participants with a Tour de Tendring bib, gym challenges with prizes for winners and free classes can be booked by leisure centre customers in the Studio between 8.30am and 2pm.

Alongside the cycling event, Maverick Skateparks and Harwich Town Council will be hosting Skatepark Jam at Harwich and Dovercourt Skatepark, behind the leisure centre.

The skatepark jam takes place from 12noon to 4pm and will include music, demonstrations, competitions and prizes.

Mick Barry, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Realm, said the cycling event is a great way to explore the district.

“The Tour de Tendring is not just a wonderful event, it is a great way to get active while exploring the countryside and the Essex Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“We’re inviting charities to join in the fun by either signing up their own teams to take part or by encouraging people to take on the challenge to fundraise for a charity close to their heart.

“There will also be a host of activities, so don’t forget to bring your friends and family to come and support this fun event.”

As well as the traditional start point in Harwich, it had been hoped that a new start point could also be introduced in Holland-on-Sea, but that will now not go ahead due to a low uptake of cyclists choosing the new location.

If you want to take part on your own or with family and friends, book online at www.bike-events.co.uk/tourdetendring.

Commemorative events are set to take place across Tendring to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

The commemorations will include a service at Clacton War Memorial as well as two nostalgic shows at Clacton’s Princes Theatre later this summer.

The events will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which saw the start of Allied operations to liberate Western Europe from Nazi German control during the Second World War.

The service, organised by the Clacton Royal British Legion and supported by Tendring District Council (TDC), will take place at the war memorial in Clacton’s seafront gardens on Thursday, 6 June, at 11am. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Councillor Dan Casey, President of the Clacton Royal British Legion and TDC Vice-Chairman, said: “At the time, D-Day was a beacon of hope for the millions of people living under Nazi oppression.

“It saw the Allied invasion of France and ultimately led to the end of the war in Europe within a year.

“It was a turning point in the war, but also a sad occasion for the many families who lost loved ones during the operation.

“This year marks a major anniversary of that operation, and we will be paying tribute to those who gave their lives so that we may have the freedom we enjoy today.”

Clacton’s Princes Theatre, which is run by TDC, will be hosting two epic shows with a D-Day twist.

On 11 June at 2pm, it will be staging ‘Thanks for the Memories’ featuring heart-warming nostalgic songs and a flag waving finale paying tribute to the veterans of the armed forces.

On September 22 at 2pm, the theatre will host The D-Day Darlings’ 80th Anniversary Tour, which will see the wartime-inspired group perform the best loved songs of the era.

This year’s Clacton Airshow on 22-23 August will also have an overarching D-Day theme, with the iconic RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight headlining the event.

Aircraft had a crucial role to play in Operation Overlord with Lancaster bombers flying sorties ahead of and during D-Day to soften up the German defences, while Hurricanes supported communications between the invasion forces and headquarters in Britain.

TDC Chairman Councillor Gary Scott said: “D-Day was a key moment in the Second World War and our community will be remembering the sacrifice made by so many.

“We would also love to hear about any events people are planning to host in the district, so we can share the news with our residents.”

Visit the council’s website at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/content/street-parties to view information about the D-Day anniversary, national arrangements and how to safely organise an event, including the lighting of beacons and road closures, or to request the use of council land.

Promote your event at Whats On (tendringdc.gov.uk)

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Monday, 15 April at the Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre from 9.30am to 1pm.

Join the Tendring4Growth team and guest experts for a free casual networking event exploring a range of grants available across the Tendring District – some of which close in the next few months.

Learn how the Rural England Prosperity Fund supports projects that aid rural businesses with small-scale investments, and assists rural communities with capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.

They will also discuss The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aids a large variety of projects, from enhancing cultural, historical, and heritage institutions; boosting the visitor economy; providing town centre animations; and shopfront improvement grants; to enhancing life, career and financial skills; supporting employed individuals to address barriers to education/training; offering ‘Extend the Season’ events; and widening participation in sports and leisure activities.

Secure your free ticket by signing up at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tendrings-shared-prosperity-fund-rural-england-prosperity-fund-launch-tickets-863806688057