Bradwell Nuclear Power Station

There is talk of a new nuclear power station being built at Bradwell, opposite West Mersea on the river Blackwater.
If you are against this being developed on the grounds of danger to the local environment, risks of evacuation problems in the event of an accident, loss of jobs in fishing and tourism, or concern over Chinese production standards or it being a national security risk, then please sign the Internet petition below.

Here's the link:

http://www.change.org/p/the-secretary-of-state-for-energy-and-climate-change-say-no-to-new-nuclear-power-station-at-bradwell

Thanks.

Closing Mersea's Public Toilets

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Leeds Castle Triathlon

Delighted that my son Charlie competed in the triathlon sprint here at Leeds Castle Kent and won the under 16 category.

They started with a swim in the moat around and under the castle. Charlie reckons he did so well overall because of his Roadfox wheels, but I believe his legs also helped! He overtook so many of the previous category that started 15 minutes before him, whilst on the cycle section, and felt he had fresh legs for the final run to the finish.

Overall he was 14th out of 326 finishers. His time was 1hour 27minutes for the 750m/ 26k/ 5k.

Leeds Castle is a great venue for the event.

He hopes to be back next year 27th June 2015  Sprint Tri (750m/26k/5k)

                                       28th June 2015 - Standard Tri (1500m/40k/10k)

Just my Cup of Tea

I recently went to The Salty Dogs Tearooms in Goldhanger. It was a wonderful experience. It's only a couple of months since it opened in The Old Pump House.

Their cakes are to die for, especially the Guinness and Chocolate .

The decor is beautiful and the lovely vintage crockery is sweet.

So if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or just fancy delicious food in a peaceful but sociable atmosphere and find yourself in the area why not give them a visit. 

The Islanders meet the islanders

It was great weather yesterday for the Round Great Britain World Record Rowers to meet many Mersea residents and Mersea School on the beach for a presentation and row past.

The Rowers Arrive

Some of the reception boats

Three of the Four Man Team

A section of the audience

Mersea Island School children and teachers

Josh with present and previous Nelson House Captains

The Flotilla

World Record for Mersea Rowers

Congratulations to "The Islanders" Ali, Josh, James and Gavin who have rowed right round Great Britain non stop in a world record breaking time of 26days 9hours 9minutes, knocking nine hours off the 2005 time.

See the Finish on the Thames by clicking this link 

Many Mersea residents were there at Tower Bridge to welcome them safely back and join them in the celebrations. What a fantastic day we all had on Thursday!!

Start of the Round Great Britain Rowing Race

GB ROW 2013 – THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST ROWING RACE
We set off at 5.30am Saturday to catch the train in Colchester. At Liverpool Street we got on our bikes and rode to Tower Bridge in time to see the start of the race.

The start at Tower Bridge

The Islanders Lead the way

The "two man" Girls team

At 08.16 BST on Saturday, June 1, the Queen’s Rowing Barge Gloriana led the six competing boats beneath Tower Bridge in London to officially start this epic race. 

Don't they look small!!

We followed them down the Thames on our bikes and then headed back to Liverpool Street. A fantastic exciting  spectacle.
 Yesterday "The Islanders" were the first to the Isle of Wight and are still in the lead now.
Track their progress on http://www.gbrowchallenge.com - its addictive!! 

The Islanders Challenge

Next month the team will take on the “toughest race Britain has to offer”. Battling severe fatigue, sleep deprivation, dehydration, horrendous blisters and all the problems that four men living in a 25 foot long boat encounter.
They will attempt to row day and night non-stop around the entire circumference of England, Wales and Scotland, just over 2000 miles. 
Their aim is to break the current World Record of 26 days and 14 hours.
We wish them and their seven competitor boats all the best!!
Follow them on their journey at www.theislanderschallenge.com

Remembering the 1953 Floods

It has been 60 years since the North Sea floods claimed 307 British lives. In the Netherlands, the dead numbered more than 1,800.

A combination of a high spring tide and a severe wind over the North Sea caused a storm surge . The combination of wind and high tide had the effect that the water level exceeded 5.6 metres (18.4 ft) above mean sea level in some locations. The flood and waves overwhelmed sea defences and caused extensive flooding.

In Essex, Canvey Island was inundated with the loss of 58 lives and another 37 died when the seafront village of Jaywick near Clacton was flooded.

The Environment Agency has said that, despite major improvements to sea defences and warning systems, 1.3m people or one in 25 homes in England and Wales remained at risk of coastal flooding.

Have we done enough in Essex to ensure it will not happen again?

Mersea Orchids Spreading

Back in the 1980's when Orchid Field Court was built on The Esplanade people worried that the green winged orchids would be lost to the development. However, there are a couple of areas where they still flourish nearby in gardens and hopefully this will increase with time.
One such location is in a back garden in one of the Avenue's where currently there are 50 heads this year, a 10% increase on 2011.

If you live in the locality, in March/ April examine your lawn before cutting it and look out for a rosette of thick short leaves. From the middle of these a spike will appear late April bearing the purple flowers. 

RNLI Boxing Day Swim 2011

Crowds heading to the beach to see the swimmers at the RNLI fund raising event.

The two lifeboats in attendance.

It was so crowded the swimmers couldn't be seen !!!

But it was a lovely warm day and it made a welcome breath of fresh air, before returning home to eat another Christmas meal.

Mersea Beach Huts

Great news that Colchester Council have accepted the view of local residents by deciding not to proceed with the planning application for a further 30 "coastal cabins" on the Victoria Esplanade greensward.

Cllr Tina Dopson, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Diversity said,

"I can confirm that the planning application for 30 beach huts, at the Victoria Esplanade Car Park on West Mersea, has been withdrawn today.

Having reflected on the weight of public opinion surrounding this application this decision has been made with careful consideration."

Waverley Paddle Steamer

The World's last seagoing paddle steamer travelled up the Blackwater past Mersea on one of its excursions.


It's in the local area until mid-October so why not book a trip.

Spiders and Mists

Autumns arrived with its morning mists and active spiders.
What a lovely sight.

Mersea's Saskia Clark named for Olympic Squad

Great news that Mersea's Saskia Clark has been named along with Ben Anslie and nine others to represent Great Britain sailing at the 2012 Olympics. 

Saskia and Hannah Mills are the 470 class girls.

We send our best wishes to them all.