News in Maldon

Among restrictions lifting today ( Monday, 12 April), the Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust has confirmed that visitors will be allowed back into its hospitals, which includes Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford and St Peter's in Maldon.

Most patients will be allowed one visitor between 2pm and 3pm, and between 6pm and 7pm.

It has been confirmed that Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome will once again open its doors on Friday, 21 May.

The new opening hours will be from 10am to 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

More coronavirus restrictions have been eased this morning (Monday, 12 April) as part of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown - and here's a quick reminder of what has changed.

The biggest changes are that non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and swimming pools are allowed to open and pubs, cafés and restaurants can serve customers seated outside.

Union flags have been lowered to half mast at official buildings across Maldon, from the council offices to the Moot Hall and at all police, fire and RNLI stations across Essex following the announcement this morning (Friday, 9 April) of the death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Town Mayor of Maldon, Councillor Abdul Hafiz, said: "On behalf of the residents of Maldon, councillors and officers of Maldon Town Council I would like to express our profound sadness on hearing the news of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

Essex County Council will be opening an electronic book of condolence following the announcement of the death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, this morning (Friday, 9 April).

Councillor John Jowers, Chairman of Essex County Council, said: "On behalf of all Members of Essex County Council, we offer our sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family on the sad news of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We join with people across Essex in mourning his loss.

It has been announced by Buckingham Palace that HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has died.

A spokesperson for the Royal Family commented: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

MORE than 80 commercial vehicles were stopped and checked in Heybridge yesterday (Thursday, 8 April) by police and district council officers in a bid to tackle the fly-tipping problem.

The day's work was as a result of partnership working between Essex Police's Rural Engagement Team and Maldon District Council.

Local wildlife photographer Jason King Fox has captured these stunning images of Essex Wildlife Trust's Blue House Farm nature reserve in North Fambridge.

You can follow Jason on Twitter at @Jason70198826 to see more of his wildlife work from across the county.

Businesses can now apply for 'restart' grants through Maldon District Council to help get them up and running again as we emerge from the lockdown.

The Government is providing 'Restart Grants' of up to £6,000 per premises for non-essential retail businesses and up to £18,000 per premises for hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses.

An Essex-based company revolutionised window design and construction, provided windows for government housing schemes (and for the Titanic), built a whole village for its workers, and supplied the forces with munitions in both World Wars.

The company is, of course, Crittall. It is impeccably Essex in its history. Frances Berrington Crittall first bought an ironmongery in Braintree in 1849. His son Francis Henry Crittall began manufacturing metal windows in 1884, and in 1889 the Crittall Manufacturing Company Ltd was formed. It employed just 34 men in the 1890s.