A bumper line-up of events is shaping up across Tendring, in a boost for local residents, businesses and tourists alike.
Kick-started with the Illuminate Festival in Historic Harwich last week (25 March), the calendar has something for everyone over the next few months.
Next month (23-24 April) will see the return of the Corbeau Seats motor rally – forming the first round of the British Rally Championship – which this year sees the introduction of a new twilight stage on day one along Clacton seafront, perfect for spectators, as well as the usual stages and two spectator areas around the rest of Tendring. (Illustrative light art image courtesy of Kevin Jay and Michael Simmans.)
Meanwhile it was announced earlier this week that a round of the Tour Series will hit the streets of Clacton on 19 May, seeing pro cyclists take on laps of the town centre in a fast-paced and viewer-friendly event.
In the height of the summer it will be all eyes to the skies for the return of the Clacton Airshow with a full throttle programme. Now in its 29th year the Airshow is taking place over 25-26 August with twilight flights on day one, and ongoing negotiations with the Red Arrows about appearing on both days – with the RAF display team already including the event on its initial calendar for the year.
Alex Porter, Tendring District Council (TDC) Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said events played a vital role in the area’s economy.
“We have some amazing, top-class events going on this year – with these just some of the highlights, each of which has more going on around it and all of which are free for people to enjoy,” Councillor Porter said.
“You can keep up to date on what’s on, whether a TDC event or other local activities, by downloading the LoveTendring app and following our social media channels, both the council’s and the Essex Sunshine Coast too.
“It’s important that we don’t lose sight of what these events bring to our district. Not only are they fantastic spectacles for our own residents to enjoy, but they support the visitor economy by encouraging tourists to Tendring where they can spend money in our local businesses too.”
The LoveTendring app is free to download on both Apple and Android devices.
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.
Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Beach Patrol service were involved in almost 150 incidents over the 2021 summer season.
The team, which is on hand to monitor main tourist beaches and provide advice as well as help with rescues, had a busy year with increased visitor numbers particularly earlier in the season due to Covid-19 international travel restrictions.
In total TDC Beach Patrol carried out 75 rescues, were tasked by HM Coastguard to support 24 incidents, and helped in the search for 48 missing people.
They also administered minor first aid 412 times and gave advice to dog owners about seasonal beach bans on 465 occasions.
This year teams were aided with new rescue boards, meaning more qualified members of the team could react more quickly and assist struggling swimmers before the situation developed into a full rescue requiring support from the emergency services.
In preventative work the Seafront Services Manager and TDC Beach Patrol team did live safety talks to 38 schools – some on the beach and some online – with a safety video developed by TDC based on the talk which has been shown to more than 1,000 children in the district.
TDC Beach Patrol staff also had to give advice about staying off groynes and rocks 938 times – boosted by the introduction of a dedicated Beach Patrol station at Clacton’s Palace Breakwater – while families were given wristbands for their children to make reuniting any who got separated easier and less stressful for those involved.
TDC Beach Patrol
Alex Porter, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, said he was incredibly proud of the TDC Beach Patrol team’s work.
“TDC Beach Patrol is a real asset to our community, not only working to keep people safe – both before they go in the water and once they are in the sea – but also making our Essex Sunshine Coast an attractive option for visitors as it gives them peace of mind,” Councillor Porter said.
“While it has been a busy season it has been a relatively quiet one in terms of major incidents, and it is pleasing to see that steps we have taken such as introducing a new station at Clacton and rescue boards have reduced potential rescues to simple advice.
“Our ongoing education work with the local community is also going from strength to strength, and though it remains challenging to give safety advice to visitors from outside of our area we can be assured we are helping our district residents to make sensible decisions when enjoying the seafront.
“As always we will continue to work with our partners in the Tendring Water Safety Forum to both review this year and look ahead to future seasons, to ensure we keep our coastline as safe as it can be for everyone to enjoy.”
TDC Beach Patrol operate from seven locations across the district at the high of summer, working every day in school holidays and typically at weekends from Easter until September – though increased visitor numbers meant they were on duty more often this year.
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.
