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We will be profiling some of these local businesses and groups regularly over coming weeks in a new series of our feature called UP CLOSE IN MALDON in the hope that we can be a supportive springboard for your full return to life as usual.

Today we feature an interview with military artist Hugh Beattie, who will be holding a show entitled Ancient Essex at the Maeldune Centre in the summer. Hugh is busy painting Maldon scenes at the moment and we will be bringing you more details of his work and the exhibition in the coming months

Hugh Beattie is the British Army's only oil painter – and he is on a mission to show the history and "unsung glories" of Essex from a deeper perspective – the ancient one.

Based at Colchester and serving as a Reservist, the artist moved to the county five years ago and is making himself familiar with the Maldon district and its ancient historical significance.

In July, his works will be available for all to see in the town centre when he stages his 'Ancient Essex' exhibition at the Maeldune Heritage Centre.

Hugh told Maldon Nub News: "Essex has an incredible history and I want to capture a sense of that.

"Arriving in Maldon is like walking straight back to the great days of sail, the paint may not always be fresh, but the palpable history is unbelievable.

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"King Harrold is buried in Essex and the Knights Templar had farms here to fund their 'Pilgrimage work'. This is the county of famous battles and terrifying witches, so it is as grand and magical a county as Pembrokeshire or Orkney.

"Just a look at the map shows you the Roman roads and the castles... there's a huge amount of treasure here."

So Hugh put his paint brush to the task of highlighting the unsung glories of this part of the country to shock everyone in to realising what is so often unappreciated.

Hugh added: "I have only just touched the surface in Essex and there is so much I have not painted yet, but this group of paintings is my bugle call to alert people to what there is here to find."

Hugh feels that the Maeldune Centre, at the corner of Market Hill and the High Street, is the perfect place for his exhibition with its celebration of culture and heritage.

'Ancient Essex: An Oil Painting Exhibition of Essex Architecture in their Landscape' by J Hugh L Beattie will be shown at the Maeldune Centre from 7-27 July.

Hugh has set up a studio in Eight Ash Green, and his website can be found via the link here.