2024 in 12 Maldon Nub News Stories
With only a few hours left of 2024, we've been looking back at our year reporting in Maldon.
Between regular updates on the future of St Peter's Hospital, several great business openings (and sad closures), a few road difficulties and brilliant community events - it has certainly been a busy one!
We would like to thank our readers who stuck with us this year, as well as our brilliant sponsors. We would be unable to keep publishing clickbait and pop-up free, quality community news without you!
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Without anymore ado, here are our top news stories for 2024:
January
St Peter's Hospital in Maldon set to shut under bed redistribution plans
Just two weeks into 2024, news spread of a pre-consultation business case relating to the relocation of the birthing unit, intermediate and stroke rehabilitation beds and ambulatory care services from St Peter's Hospital in Maldon.
The proposal suggested the closure and sale of the 150-year-old Spital Road hospital.
The business case marked the start of a massive public consultation by the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, which stretched from January 25 until April 11 following several delays.
Over 5000 local people gave feedback, with a shocking 92% of respondents calling the plans related to St Peter's Hospital a "bad" or "very bad" idea.
Despite promising a decision in September, the Trust instead decided to launch a working group to further discuss proposals..
On the last update in October, the NHS was in the process of setting up a working group, with key stakeholders from local authorities, Healthwatch representatives, Members of the Save Maldon Medical Services campaign group and NHS staff members on the invite list.
We are sure St Peter's will remain a heavy topic in 2025, and we promise to keep an eye on it!
February
New Prom Park table tennis area met with mixed reaction among Maldon residents
The beginning of the year saw a bit of table tennis tension after a split response from residents regarding a new table was installed in Maldon's Promenade Park.
The table tennis table, funded by the Active Essex Places and Spaces fund, was an idea born from a suggestion on social media. But once installed, it was that very place it all kicked off.
Some responses to a Facebook post by Maldon District Council branded the table, newly situated nearby to the Promenade Park Coach and Car Park, as a health and safety risk, while others raised concerns over vandalism as well as a lack of free provision of rackets and balls.
A spokesperson for the council quickly attempted to quell fears, assuring the location was suitable and covered by CCTV.
The table tennis table has been seemingly un-controversial since. Have you used it much this year? Let us know!
March
IN PICTURES: 750 attend protest against proposed Maldon hospital closure
As the community hospital consultation rolled on, the strength of public feeling in Maldon in defence of St Peter's Hospital just grew and grew.
In March, over 750 people attended a protest event in which residents circled the entire St Peter's Hospital site in light.
The event, organised by the at-the-time newly established Save Maldon Medical Services group, had police in attendance but remained peaceful throughout.
Notably, the event took place days before the Maldon Town Consultation meeting on the Mid and South Essex ICB proposals.
The group has since staged other protests, including a video uploaded also in March in which seventeen women stripped while holding placards in defence of the hospital.
April
The inspirational Maldon people running Sunday's London Marathon
In April, Maldon Nub News went looking for some local fitness fanatics who decided to commit themselves in 2024 to running one of the biggest marathons in the world.
After lots of Facebook badgering, we had several inspirational people get in contact. All kindly shared their photos and reasons for taking part in the London marathon.
Congratulations to Samuel, Kate, Shireen, Tess, Paul and Clare for your hard training and undeniable effort to raise money for your chosen charities!
May
IN PICTURES: The Northern Lights illuminate Maldon skies
The Aurora Borealis, or The Northern Lights, made a rare appearance across the UK in May after a strong geomagnetic storm.
The vibrant colours not only lit up the night sky, but also many people's social media feeds, as everyone posted about their great snaps (or lack thereof!)
We asked you, the readers, to share with us your images from around the district!
May was the month for nature stories in Maldon, with the month beginning with an angler reeling in a UK record catfish from Chigborough Lake.
June
Hustings 2024: Healthcare in Maldon a 'top-priority' for election candidates
In June, as the General Election grew closer and closer, residents were introduced to the Maldon candidates.
Five candidates from the Lib Dems, Greens, Tories, Labour and Reform attended a hustings event at the Maldon United Reformed Church on June 24 to answer public questions and share their priorities for the district.
It was an exciting evening with the church pews packed full of eager residents.
We noted the unanimous agreement among candidates that St Peter's Hospital would be a top priority for them as the Member of Parliament for Maldon, alongside local infrastructure and social care.
A controversial moment of the evening came when Reform candidate Pamela Walford responded to a question about the cost of living with an argument about the misuse of foodbanks - a comment which did not go down well with audience members.
While the General Election itself was a July moment, we want to keep this article down to one story a month, so of course - July was the month in which incumbent MP Sir John Whittingdale won back the seat he has occupied since 1992.
There was a 64% turnout in Maldon, with Whittingdale taking a 38.9% vote share.
July
Maldon's Market Hill becomes Clean Air Route
Is this perhaps the most controversial story on the list? In July, Maldon District Council announced the new Clean Air Route, a scheme in which drivers are encouraged to avoid using Market Hill and instead use the bypass to make their journeys.
The plan aimed to reduce emissions on Market Hill to subsequently improve air quality in the town centre.
While the new route did not involve any extra charges, it was met with heavy criticism by drivers who suggested the diversion would make little difference to the town.
The Clean Air Route is still in place with signage in the town, but whether the scheme has actually changed driver habits? We are not so sure.
What are your thoughts? Have you changed your journeys?
August
IN PICTURES: Maldon District Council celebrates another successful UFest
Among many other events that took place at Promenade Park this Summer, UFest by Maldon District Council proved a huge success with residents.
Many families enjoyed the free wellness event in the sun, with activities and informational hubs dotted across the park.
A stage by the lake offered local entertainment and music all day.
MDC Chairman Cllr Kevin Lagan spoke to Nub News about how important the event is for the council saying "We decided as a council that we wanted to put something on that was free, that was engaging, and that was really about community.
"Talking to different partners and making people come together for a kind of celebratory day, will hopefully stimulate people to go 'Okay I want to learn more about that' or 'I want to try a Couch to 5k', something that inspires people."
A number of charities and community groups hosted stalls, including the very popular Essex Fire & Rescue dog unit!
September
Councillors declare Burnham's new pontoon officially open
Burnham-on-Crouch's long-awaited new pontoon opened in August after a speedy construction.
The original pontoon was a much-loved part of the town for crabbing and access to the passenger ferry, but had been destroyed during Storm Eunice in 2022.
The replacement, built on the same footprint as the original pontoon, includes additional safety features and a modern update.
Burnham town councillors gathered for the official opening on September 18, including former Town Mayor Fiona Clegg and District Cllr Wendy Stamp.
The construction coincided with the opening of a new 'accessible playground in Burnham's Riverside Park, similarly funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
October
Maldon Prom Park's new pirate ship play area nears completion
Promenade Park once again stars in our top twelve story list with the completion of the replacement pirate ship play area!
While we were all sad to see The Galleon sail away, this new KOMPAN play equipment was a long-awaited addition to the park.
Offering a series of slides, a zipline and climbing areas whilst maintaining the original nautical feel, the 6.6 metre tall ship was met with few complaints.
The playground came alongside a wider investment into new accessible play areas in the Maldon District, including a brand new play area in Burnham-on-Crouch and an update to another Promenade Park playground, now named 'The Secret Garden'.
November
BREAKING: Maldon High Street shut off after retirement home roof partially collapses
One breaking news story in November included the shock collapse of the gable end of the Embassy Court retirement home roof.
Onlookers reported a loud crash early on Sunday morning as bricks fell onto a neighboring building and to the ground.
Multiple emergency vehicles from the fire, ambulance and police service rushed to the scene, although thankfully no one was injured.
A section of Maldon High Street had to be closed off for much of the day as the damage was assessed.
On a more feel-good note, officers from Maldon Local Policing Team shared a post in November about perhaps their most adorable catch of the year - a deer which they had rescued from some metal fencing.
December
IN PICTURES: Light Up Maldon brings festive joy to town centre
While actually taking place in November, the annual Maldon Christmas Fayre is the sign for many of the end of the year and the related festivities.
This year's event, despite originally being touted in May as a more "modest" light switch-on to normal after changes to the organising committee, was a massive success.
Hundreds took to the High Street to shop, wonder and be entertained. The feel-good event offered a bustling street market, inside craft markets, performances from local entertainment like Michael Glaysher as Elvis and The Big Sing Choir, and street shows by the Maldon Greenjackets and Dark Horse Morris Dancers.
Once again we'd like to thank our readers for your continued support!
If you have any ideas for stories you'd like to see us cover in 2025, don't hesitate to contact us here.
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