News
Our Lovely Essex: if these shots don’t cheer us all, surely nothing will
Tuesday 26 May 2020
We have two more photos from Janet Harris today, one of them sure to raise a gentle smile “The lane is near Audley End , going to Littlebury,” said Janet. “It’s everything I love about England. The cows having a king-of-the-castle game are near Stansted Mountfichet.” Read more >
Plans for north Essex new towns in ruins as inspector finds them ‘unsound’
Monday 25 May 2020
Plans for a cluster of ‘garden communities’ (or new towns) in north Essex lie in tatters after a planning inspector declared them ‘unsound’. Proposals for West Tey (24,000 homes), West of Braintree (13,000) and East of Colchester (9,000) had been included in a Section 1 Local Plan document put together by Braintree District Council, Colchester […] Read more >
Our Lovely Essex: another rich harvest from Ken McDonald
Friday 22 May 2020
Ken McDonald’s photographs have graced Our Lovely Essex before, and here we’re happy to offer you a bumper crop of five more, taken in the Stansted Mountfitchet area. Enjoy! Read more >
Our Lovely Essex: they come in all shapes and sizes
Thursday 21 May 2020
Christine Knight found this strange-looking fellow while out on a walk and “thought it might raise a chuckle”. Indeed it does! Thanks, Christine. Read more >
Bluebells… don’t you just love them!
Wednesday 20 May 2020
The bluebells are long past their best, but this latest contribution from Gordon Ridgewell is a reminder of their glory. “I had just been out for first time in three weeks, visiting Howe Wood at Littlebury, which is just along the road from where I live, to see the bluebells,” said Gordon. “I am 85 […] Read more >
Do mind those antlers, Paddy!
Tuesday 19 May 2020
The quality of photographs we have received for Our Lovely Essex has genuinely surprised us and today we share another special image, this time from Dianne and Howard Wood. They tell the story… We were walking Paddy, our golden retriever, in Ongar Woods at around 6.30am and he spotted a herd of deer and started […] Read more >
Protect our green spaces, government is urged in lockdown survey
Monday 18 May 2020
Despite us living under the strictest social-distancing measures we’ve ever experienced in the UK, there has been an increase in community spirit and appreciation for local green spaces and countryside during lockdown, according to new research. Commissioned by CPRE, the countryside charity, and the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (WI), and carried out by Opinium, […] Read more >
Our Lovely Essex: reflections of Epping Forest
Monday 18 May 2020
Stunning! There’s nothing further we can add to this, so over to photographer Jill Geddes… “This was on an early-morning walk in Epping Forest near Epping. The water was like glass and made a wonderful reflection.” If you would like to spread some cheer across Essex, please send your images, stories or experiences to dmairs@cpre-essex.org.uk […] Read more >
Lower Thames Crossing consultation: read the CPRE Kent response
Thursday 14 May 2020
Consultation on the proposed Lower Thames Crossing closed towards the end of March. Our friends across the river at CPRE Kent have made a detailed response to the consultation and, although some of the details are specific to Kent, the principles apply to both affected counties. You can read it here: For more on the […] Read more >
Our Lovely Essex: two contributions from one of our longest-serving stars
Wednesday 13 May 2020
Petra Ward has been a stalwart of CPRE Essex for years, a fact reflected in her being given a CPRE Length of Service Award and volunteer medal at last year’s AGM. Today, in Our Lovely Essex, she shares two very special photographs with a watery theme. If you would like to spread some cheer across […] Read more >