News in Maldon

FAMILIES of 67 individuals who died or were mistreated whilst in the care of mental health services in Essex have had their most recent plea for a statutory inquiry dismissed by Nadine Dorries, Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety.

In February the families, who have campaigned for years to find out why their loved ones died while in care, once again wrote to Nadine Dorries to ask her to over-turn her decision for a non-statutory inquiry in favour of a full statutory inquiry.

From this Monday (29 March) Covid-19 self-test kits will be available for collection at Maldon Library.

Residents who do not have Covid-19 symptoms will be able to collect and take away two boxes of seven tests to undertake regular twice weekly testing at home to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The following is an article by Go Padel UK about the success of budding Padel and tennis star Ollie Grantham, who has just secured a prestigious scholarship and trains at the Maldon centre:

We are thrilled and extremely proud that one of our juniors has gained entry into one of the most prestigious schools in Essex – Newhall!

There are only three weeks now until Maldon district joins a business venture aimed at breathing new life and viability into local High Streets and independent businesses.

On 20 April, Click It Local will be launched across the district, from Maldon to Burnham-on-Crouch and in between. It will mean shoppers can purchase goods of all kinds online from independent shops in any town that has joined up to the Click It Local network and, if ordered before 1pm, receive them to their doorstep the very same day.

Maldon's Plume Academy has achieved an award for making sure that students do not miss out because they are young carers.

'The Young Carers in Schools Programme' helps primary and secondary schools improve educational outcomes for young carers and celebrates good practice through the Young Carers in Schools Award.

More coronavirus restrictions will be lifted on Monday (29 March) as part of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.

Here's what's changing:

Here are some amazing shots from the filming at The Hythe in Maldon yesterday (Thursday, 25 March) - all taken by talented local photographer Paula Wiseman.

You can scroll through 10 of the top scenes here from the filming for The Essex Serpent, a TV drama based on Sarah Perry's award-winning novel.

2020 was the year in which Britain's cinema industry reeled from the double blow of venue closures during lockdown, and a virtual halt to the production of major films.

However, cinema in Essex has a long history, and we have many survivals to remind us that war, economic crises and changing fashions have all made their mark on an industry which still somehow clings on.

A new £1.2 million chemotherapy treatment centre for mid Essex patients is set to be opened at Broomfield Hospital in May.

The state-of-the-art centre will allow more cancer patients to be seen in a welcoming environment, while still keeping them safely distanced.

A Maldon man who has been shielding during the pandemic has planted 400 trees - many of them grown from acorns and conkers.

Having been forced to work from home, Andy Carr has been using the time he would usually spend commuting into and out of London to grow and plant the trees. When he finishes his daily work for UK Power Networks, he turns to nurturing trees instead.