2023 in 12 Maldon Nub News Stories

By Chloe Brewster 30th Dec 2023

Quay day 2023 in Burnham-on-Crouch is also an honourable August mention (Photo: Burnham Town Council)
Quay day 2023 in Burnham-on-Crouch is also an honourable August mention (Photo: Burnham Town Council)

Like the 12 days of Christmas, but better! 2023 has been an exciting year for the Maldon District. It's been action-packed with events, community spirit and growth.

We have hand-picked twelve stories from this year that we think defined 2023 the most.

Take a seat, grab a cuppa, and reminisce on this year of Maldon news!

Read until the end for a word from former Maldon Nub News Editor, Ben Shahrabi…

Here are twelve of this year's key stories:

January: 

Bradwell: Unexploded WW2 bomb detonated by the Ministry of Defence

The explosive was dealt with by the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team (Photos: MOD and Ben Shahrabi)

In an 'explosive' start to 2023, police and army specialists were called to Bradwell-on-Sea on January 24 amid reports of an "unexploded ordnance" uncovered by the coast.

BONUS JANUARY ARTICLE:

Tesco Maldon Petrol Station to remain closed for repairs

(Photo Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

The Tesco petrol station at Fullbridge, closed after the roof dramatically collapsed at the beginning of January

February: Plume Academy closed as 60 teachers go on strike - Principal remains 'immensely proud' of them

2023 was the year of strikes, so it only seems right to feature a local one. Carl Wakefield, former Executive Principal at the school, told Nub News: "This was far from an easy decision to come to for those colleagues I work alongside each and every day, however, they came to it not just in an attempt to secure a fair and well-deserved pay rise, but to raise concerns that our profession is facing up to many other unprecedented challenges"

March: Maldon Town Mayor Awards 2023

Read about all the winners at this year's Maldon Annusl Community Awards (Photo Credit: Maldon Town Council and Ben Shahrabi)

In March, Maldon Town Council celebrated a number of individuals and organisations for their hard-work in Maldon, at the annual community awards.

April: Local elections 2023 - Maldon Town Council and local parish councils uncontested at election.

Find out who stood unopposed in your town or parish at the local elections in May (Photo Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

In April, Nub News released the full lists of candidates standing to represent towns and parishes throughout the Maldon District. Many candidates returned, with a few new faces joining them.

May: Maldon Mud Race Organisers celebrate 'phenomenal' event as 300 participants battle the mud for charity

Vicky Reilly and James Haskell-Jones were the first two to finish th race. Meanwhile, comedian Jo Brand Ipictured with ITV News' Becky Jargo) cheered her daughter Maisie on from the side-lines (Photos: Maldon Mud Race)

The communtiy event if the year returned to Maldon in May! Maldon Mud Race celebrated another successful year, with 300 participants joined by more than 15,000 spectators

June: The Emporium to close

Graham and Mary Powell, both aged 73, were set to retire after serving the people of Maldon and elsehwere for more than 30 years. (Photos: Mary Powell and Ben Shahrabi)

In June, Maldon bid farewell to the high street favourite as they knew it. The couple would later announce future plans for the shop.

BONUS JUNE ARTICLE:

BAFTA-winning Burnham schoolboy Lenny Rush to star in Doctor Who

The series is set to air in 2024 (Photos: Alistair Heap/ Bad Wolf/ BBC Studios)

The Burnham teen's career hit new heights in June, after it was announced he would star alongside Ncuti Gatwa in the new series of Doctor Who.

July: Maldon activist Julie Taylor shortlisted for BBC Essex 'Bravery' award after raising £30,000 in grandson's memory

Grandmother Julie has raised more than £33,000 and installed dozens of lifesaving bleed control kits throughout Essex (Photos: Julie Taylor)

The Maldon Grandmother was shortlisted for a 'Make A Difference Award' for her tireless anti-knife crime campaigning.

August: Burnham residents turn out in full force for health centre debate

Cllr Wendy Stamp speaking at the meeting (Photos: Nick Skeens)

Hundreds of passionate Burnham residents turned out to the largest political debate in Burnham in Crouch history, to protest the relocation of the local doctors surgery. Burnham "Waters-gate" is still ongoing…

September: Maldon Rotary Club donates £2,500 in total to Plume Library and Moroccan earthquake relief

(Photos: Maldon Rotary Club)

The Maldon Rotary Club President presented a £500 cheque to Dr Helen Kemp, curator of rare books at Thomas Plume's Library on Market Hill. The club members also voted to donate £2000 to relief towards the Moroccan earthquake disaster.

October: 'Extremely rare' dolphin spotted in Maldon

Simon Wood, author of Birds of Essex, captured extraordinary pictures of the dolphin in the river near The Queen's Head pub (Credit: Simon Wood)

The rare mammal was spotted in the River Chelmer, much to the surprise of pleased onlookers. We hope to spot even more wildlife in 2024!

November: Salero Lounge to open in Maldon

Loungers plc announced the opening of Salero Lounge November 25 (Photos: Loungers plc)

The much-awaited Salero Lounge finally opened in November.

BONUS NOVEMBER ARTICLE:

Renovation plans for Maldon's historic Hythe Quay revealed ahead of council funding bid

Maldon District Council met with residents and business owners at the Little Ship Club to discuss proposals to "regenerate" the town's historic Hythe Quay.

December: Maldon Town Council celebrate one of the "most attended" Christmas Fayres in a decade

The annual Christmas Fayre returned with a bang after heavy downpours in 2022 (Photos: Maldon Christmas Fayre)

Maldon Mayor and Town Cllr Andrew Lay said: "It was wonderful to see so many residents and visitors enjoying the High Street on a crisp winter evening".

BONUS DECEMBER ARTICLE:

Maldon District to receive £189,000 from the PFCC's Local Safer Streets Fund

Maldon Promenade Park posted on Facebook about the 'exciting' news (Photo: The PFCC)

Great news in December as we reported the PFCC will be issuing the Maldon District a development grant. The money will go towards upgrading Promenade Park's skate park, CCTV installation in Burnham-on-Crouch and a district-wide women's safety project.

"There's never a dull moment in the Maldon District"

We invited former Maldon Nub News Regional Editor, Ben Shahrabi, to say a few words about Maldon's year of news: "There's never a dull moment in the Maldon District, as 2023 consistently proved! It was a pleasure to cover exciting events like the "extremely rare" dolphin spotted in Maldon, legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman's Mangapps visit, and controversial debates such as "Burnham Waters-gate".

"However, this year has been a struggle for many local families. At times like these, the Maldon Nub News team has wholeheartedly supported community initiatives like Maldon Food Pantry, the Liam Taylor Legacy, and the Maldon Mud Race's charities."

He added, "Local news should always champion the issues that matter to local people. I'm proud to have played a small part in giving the community a voice and am so pleased my successor, Chloe, shares that passion.

"I can't wait to see what the future holds for our incredible district in 2024."

From the Maldon Nub News team, past and present, we would like to say a massive thank you to our readers for supporting us this year. 

We strive to continue providing the Maldon District with accessible, community-centric, local news.

Your town, in your pocket.

We hope you have a fabulous end to 2023, and cheers to an even better 2024.

     

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