Another year of the pandemic has brought yet more disruption and challenge to people's lives in 2021.

Yet throughout the difficult times, the people of Maldon have continued to shine and come together as a community in incredible ways.

Here's a look at 15 of Maldon's feel-good stories, in no particular order, as we approach the New Year.

1. Maldon vaccination hub praised for delivering landmark jabs

Maldon's vaccination hub has been praised twice this year for its landmark achievements - delivering 50,000 jabs in August and 75,000 by December.

Samantha Young, manager of Longfield Medical Centre, said the achievements are a credit to those who have worked "for the past year in all winds and weather, welcoming everyone through the door".

Maldon has the highest uptake in Essex for all three doses of the jab, it was revealed this week.

2. Maldon woman transforms care for people with dementia

A mental health nurse who grew up in Maldon spoke in June of her pioneering project to help those living with dementia.

Cat Ritson created microsite iCareDementia to make it simple for carers to access quick, easy-to-understand information on how to approach different situations and best help those they are caring for.

She said: "It started its journey in December 2019 and, despite Covid, we still didn't lose sight of it because it's a real passion project which has been truly co-produced."

The project, used across north Essex and Suffolk, is being looked at for wider rollout by NHS England.

3. Heybridge "superstar" rescues colleague from car crash

A Heybridge supermarket worker was nominated for the Proud to be Asda award in July, after she rescued her colleague from a car crash in May this year.

28-year-old Sean Royle, from Asda Heybridge, nominated fellow supermarket worker Abbie Gibbons, 19, for the award after she "saved his life" when she came across his overturned car on Maypole Road.

He said: "I dread to think what would have happened if she hadn't been there.

"I was very, very lucky. The police said it was one of the worst car crash wrecks they'd seen."

4. Bleed kits to save lives in Maldon in Liam Taylor's name

A number of bleed kits have gone into Maldon venues this year to save lives in Liam Taylor's name, thanks to his grandmother's tireless fundraising efforts.

Julie Taylor, who runs the café at St Peter's Hospital in Maldon, has raised over £1,000 to buy the kits after Liam - known as Fish to his family - was stabbed to death outside a pub in Writtle in 2020.

"When Fish was killed, had these bleed bags that are all around the Metropolitan Police been available, it potentially would have saved his life," Julie said.

"These bags are £97.99 each - I'm pushing for them in Chelmsford and Maldon because that's where I work."

Tesco, Morrison's and Queen Victoria are among the venues in Maldon to have bleed kits on site thanks to Julie - with many more to come.

5. Maldon Rotary Club donates laptops to help with homeschooling

Maldon Rotary Club wanted to help as many pupils as possible in the town to access essential resources while stuck at home over lockdown.

Braving ice and snow at the start of February, members of the club delivered a total of 32 laptops to help primary school children continue their education.

A spokesperson for the club said: "The laptops issue has touched members' hearts and we were able to use money raised during the month-long Santa sleigh collections to help these very worthwhile causes.

"It would not have been possible without the generosity of our friends in the Maldon area."

6. Maldon nine-year-old raises £600 for cancer research with cycle ride

A nine-year-old from Maldon was one of more than 1,000 cyclists from Essex to raise more than £50,000 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity in May.

Gregory Bloyce completed the six-mile route with his dad to raise £600 for the charity, which provides counselling support for those affected by cancer.

And this is just the beginning. On finishing the race, Gregory said: "Next year, I hope to do the 15 mile route and I can't wait."

7. Project at iconic Maldon church finishes after 12 years

Two specialists from Germany finished putting the final touches to a new organ at St Mary's Church in Maldon in June - more than 12 years after the project began.

Thomas Hey and Konrad Hartmann managed to get to Maldon with just days to spare before the official service of dedication for the organ which was manufactured by Klais, one of the most respected organ companies in the world.

Their "outstanding" work was commended in November by a judging panel of councillors, historians and architects.

8. Friends raise over £5000 for young carers in Maldon

A group of friends completed a gruelling 25-mile walk in July to raise money for a charity which supports young carers in the district.

Organiser Yasmin Nash wanted to raise the money for Action for Family Carers, on Poulton Close, because her mum, Alison Monro, is living with stage-four breast cancer and her 11-year-old daughter, Tilly, helps to care for her.

Yasmin said: "We just want the money to go to anyone who's struggling. We struggle and it's so emotional but when you've got support you come together - we come together really tight and really strong."

9. Maldon firefighter praised for more than 40 years of service

A Maldon firefighter was one of just two firefighters in Essex to be recognised for 45 years of service at an annual ceremony in February.

The award came just a month after 63-year-old Martin Cable, watch manager at Maldon Fire Station, received the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

"It has been a great privilege to serve my local community for all these years," Martin said.

"There's definitely a few years of firefighting left in me yet."

10. Heybridge schoollaunches project to care for students' mental health post-lockdown

A Heybridge school began a project to expand its outdoor classroom this September, as the pandemic highlighted to staff the benefits of being outside.

Heybridge Co-operative Academy supports the attainment of secondary-aged children educated outside of the mainstream school system because of exclusion, illness or other reasons.

Principal Jonathan Sly said the project is "part of opening our young people's eyes to the world around them and the positives that can be gained from growing things and brightening up other people's days".

11. Former Maldon resident turns book for children into bedtime story in tribute to her daughter

A former Maldon resident published a book which began as a bedtime story for her children, after her son encouraged her to continue the story following her daughter's death.

Jo Doyle published Pony Talk after finishing the book over lockdown.

Speaking to Nub News in August, she said: "My daughter and I were very horsey, and we had a couple of horses between us."

She added: "I started it for my children when they were young, and I finished it because my daughter died and my son suggested that I do it for her.

"So it's dedicated to my son and in memory of my daughter."

12. Mums help to transform the homes of Maldon residents and beyond

In September, we met two women who started a decluttering business this year to help people organise their homes.

Carly Macfarlane, from Maldon, and Emma Redwood, from Brentwood, said a key aspect of their work is helping those whose homes have fallen into disarray due to mental health issues.

"It's about being understanding and letting that client know that we want to support them and make their lives better," Carly said.

13. Residents come together in fight to save treasured Maldon meadow

Hundreds of residents have come together to say they "won't give up" in their fight to save Primrose Meadow, which is the subject of controversial discussions concerning housing development.

The Stand Against Primrose Meadow Development now has over 670 members on Facebook, after Essex County Council confirmed in July that its development company has earmarked the open space for housing.

Sammie Shurety, one of the organisers of the campaign group, said: "If we win this, it proves we still have a voice.

"We won't give up."

14. 16-year-old Maldon activist calls for climate action ahead of travelling to COP26

A young Maldon activist gave a rousing speech to political, business and community leaders from Essex in October before travelling to COP26 in Glasgow.

16-year-old Hattie Phillips, youth ambassador for the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), is working with Maldon District Council to take climate action in the area.

She said: "It is vital that young people, such as myself, attend COP26 so we get the experience, so that we get to be prepared for the next conference parties and the next and the next and the next.

"But we have things to say right now that need to be listened to - we've done our homework and we're ready."

15. Lingerie boutique expands in Maldon following lockdown success

A thriving lingerie boutique which opened in Maldon at the beginning of 2020 moved to larger premises in November, after finding success during the pandemic.

The move allowed the Bra Consultancy, on Edward's Walk, to add a mastectomy and reconstruction suite to its premises for customers who have undergone surgery.

Kayleigh Smith, marketing executive and fitting consultant at the store, said: "Customers tell us this is exactly what they've wanted and needed and they're so thankful we're here, which is lovely."