News in Maldon

Police are appealing for witnesses after a crash on Main Road, Bicknacre, left a teenage driver with life-threatening injuries.

The accident happened before 5pm today (Wednesday, 7 April) and involved two cars - a Silver Fiesta travelling towards South Woodham Ferrers and a Corsa being driven in the opposite direction.

The Park and Ride bus service between Sandon and Chelmsford will begin again on Monday, 12 April, on the day non-essential retail shops can re-open.

Essex County Council has said that initially a reduced timetable will be in place.

POLICE officers and firefighters and support staff across both services across Essex have received a £100 bonus for their work in combating the coronavirus pandemic.

The bonus idea was put forward by Police and Fire Commissioner Roger Hirst and though it has been welcomed by the chiefs of both emergency services, it has attracted criticism in some quarters as Mr Hirst is due to stand for re-election to his office in May and the move is regarded by his critics as simple electioneering.

The new parish council that has had to wait a year for its first full election had its last pre-election meeting yesterday (Tuesday, 6 April) with the chair called in to look after it telling how he hopes it will go on to "continue with improving the quality of life in Heybridge Basin".

Heybridge Basin Parish Council was formed after local residents petitioned Maldon District Council (MDC), leading to a review of the need for a new parish and the subsequent decision of MDC to approve the formation of the new council in February, 2019.

The Maldon and Witham Conservative Associations have announced their candidates for the Heybridge East and Tollesbury by-elections for Maldon District Council taking place on Thursday, 6 May.

A spokesperson for the associations said: "As Conservatives we promise to promote the economy, protect the environment, efficiency and services.

In the following reader's letter, Maldon district historian Stephen Nunn makes an appeal in a bid to find any surviving veterans of RAF Bradwell Bay.

Dear Editor,

The chair of Maldon's Business Board has told how the High Street's shops are looking forward to welcoming the town's shoppers back - and how they are already planning a return of Fiver fest in June.

A number of Maldon's businesses have also given their reaction to confirmation from Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday evening (Monday, 5 April) that his 'roadmap' out of lockdown remains on track, with non-essential retail, hairdressers and beauty salons able to re-open on 12 April.

Tickets have gone on sale for a three-day festival on Osea Island.

The event is planned for 3 to 5 September on the privately-owned tidal island in the Blackwater Estuary.

The Maeldune Heritage Centre has announced it will be re-opening on Tuesday, 13 April – and as well as hosting art exhibitions and selling a large range of local artwork, crafts and produce, will now also be the new home for Maldon's Visitor Information Centre.

A team of Maldon ambassadors will join the existing team of dedicated volunteers at the centre at the corner of Market Hill and the High Street to help visitors to the town find out about local events, other heritage venues and places of interest, as well as travel information and tide times.

Essex Police's Operational Support Group - tasked with providing extra foot patrols over the Easter weekend - were able to provide help on the ground in the search for a missing nine-year-old in Burnham-on-Crouch today (Sunday, 4 April).

Essex Police announced just after 5.30pm that the boy - who had been reported missing earlier in the afternoon - had been found.