News in Maldon

The new Chairman of Maldon District Council, Independent Councillor Mark Heard, is writing regular column pieces to keep in touch with residents. Here he reflects on the 2020 pandemic.

For most of us 2020 has been the most unusual year imaginable; nothing could have prepared us to be as affected by Covid-19 as we have. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the well-recognised high-profile key workers whether they be scientists, doctors, teachers or food carriers and we showed our gratitude as we stood on our doorsteps and clapped for carers.

NHS health providers for the Maldon area are asking residents to come out onto their doorsteps this Christmas Eve to light a candle or ring a bell or doorbell for two minutes to spread some festive cheer and celebrate how people have come together as a community during the pandemic.

The campaign by Mid and South Essex (MSE) Health and Care Partnership, which runs until Thursday, 24 December, is based around the five ways to wellbeing which include giving, learning, taking a mindful moment, getting active and connecting. There are a number of different ways people can get involved.

A new variant of Covid-19 could be behind an increase in cases in the Essex area, the Health Secretary suggested - but appears not to cause stronger symptoms or make the vaccine less effective.

Matt Hancock was speaking in the House of Commons after announcing that Maldon would be one of the areas of Essex placed under Tier 3 restrictions from 00.01am on Wednesday (16 December).

GPs will begin offering the Covid vaccine in the mid Essex area this week as part of the biggest NHS immunisation programme in history.

The first local vaccination services run by family doctors and their teams will open across mid and south Essex this week, as the vaccine roll out gains further momentum.

2021 will see the next national Census, a ten-yearly event that has been going on since 1841. Like the rest of the country, everyone resident in Maldon district on the night of 6th June 1841 was recorded with their name, gender, age, occupation and address.

This gives us a treasure trove of information, not just for family research but also for insights into the changing social history of our town. This is particularly evident when we look at the age and sex graphs for 1861 and 2011.

Maldon Nub News aims to be supportive to EVERY element of the community from business and shops to people and charities and clubs and sports organisations.

Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and wants life to get back to normal.

IT'S been another seven days of big news stories in Maldon, from news of a drive-in carol service at Promenade Park to the county council's ongoing battle to keep the area from moving into the highest level of pandemic restrictions – Tier Three – when the situation is reviewed.

Here at Nub News we like to make your life easier so if you've missed any of the local news this week, don't worry.

Maldon district businesses can now apply for a range of grants to help pay for adaptations made as a result of Covid-19.

The Essex Business Adaptation Grant scheme was announced in November by Essex County Council (ECC). The scheme will supply capital grants of up to £1,500 to local businesses experiencing added pressures since Essex was placed under Tier Two high level restrictions by the Government.

The Covid-19 seven-day infection rate for Maldon district has climbed to 137 per 100,000 - but is still well below the county and national average.

The Essex county area (which doesn't include Southend and Thurrock) now has a seven-day rate of 195 per 100,000. The national rate is currently around 150.6 per 100,000.

Promenade Park in Maldon will be the setting for a carol service with a difference this year.

The drive-in event will take place on Sunday, 20 December in the overflow car park beside the boating lake and is being hosted by Fullbridge Church.