News
With this Ring…
Friday 6 October 2023
Just a simple shot from photographer Gordon Ridgewell to share the very essence of our beautiful Essex… “I had a ride out early the other morning as the mist was rising and captured this shot. “Audley End House stands in the parish of Saffron Walden. The Ring stands in the parish of Littlebury, over the […] Read more >
Beating the beetles
Wednesday 4 October 2023
The seasons they are a-changin’… or are they? Gordon Ridgewell tells us: “The field in this picture looks like it’s springtime, but it was taken in September. “Audley End estate has drilled a companion crop with the rape to attract the flea beetle away from the young rape plants. Government rules do not allow certain […] Read more >
The state our nature’s in! It’s time to acknowledge the desperate plight of our wildlife
Thursday 28 September 2023
We’ll keep this short and (not so very) sweet. Our country needs to decide – and decide soon: we either care about our natural environment and our wildlife or we don’t. All the political waffle, all the pledges, all the sincere looks to camera, all the manifestos and all the good intentions are shown to […] Read more >
Be of good cheer in Ongar! Inspector dismisses developer’s appeal against housing refusal
Thursday 21 September 2023
We’re always happy to report good news here at CPRE Essex – and so it is a joy to bring news from Ongar, where a planning inspector has dismissed an appeal against refusal of a development in this delightful village. Tricia Moxey, CPRE Essex vice-president, was involved in proceedings and takes up the tale: “I […] Read more >
‘It’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it’
Thursday 21 September 2023
“Well, you said it – keep ’em coming!” lensman Gordon Ridgewell tells us. “After a really hot day, just as the sun was setting, the sky turned all artistic – mean more than normal. “So I reached for the ever-present mobile phone and snapped it. It’s the old story: it’s not what you have, it’s […] Read more >
Your chance to take part in hedgerows consultation
Monday 11 September 2023
Hedgerows take centre-stage in a Defra consultation that should hopefully help ensure their survival. Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is aiming to gather views on how hedgerows – such a feature of our countryside – are protected as cross compliance measures are lost with the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme. […] Read more >
The station development that’s way off track: watch the video
Friday 8 September 2023
The modernisation and extension of Manningtree train station and car park has caused substantial grief locally due to its excessive and unnecessary lighting, causing light pollution in an AONB. Further, what has been described as “a monster wall” fronting the development has been built without planning permission. There has been a subsequent push to persuade Tendring […] Read more >
‘Green spaces, green infrastructure and rural landscapes enjoyed for their beauty and tranquillity would be scarred by these pylons’
Friday 8 September 2023
CPRE Essex has submitted its response to the second non-statutory consultation on National Grid’s proposals to transmit electricity across the unspoilt rural landscapes of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to Tilbury. Here planner Michael Hand summarises the concerns we have about the so-called East Anglia GREEN scheme. We question the need for this destructive project and […] Read more >
Our AGM is on October 7… read the documents here
Thursday 7 September 2023
This year’s CPRE Essex AGM is being held in Thaxted on Saturday, October 7. We will be gathering at 2pm for a 2.30pm start. The venue is Pam’s Place, located at the back of the Margaret Street free car park (postcode CM6 2RL). Tea and cake will be provided. After the event, we will enjoy […] Read more >
Back in business!
Wednesday 6 September 2023
You might have been missing Gordon Ridgewell’s photographic talents over recent weeks, but fear not… here are a couple he’s taken during the recent early autumn (or is it late summer?) heat. He tells us: “I’ve not had much chance to get out and about with the camera for the last few weeks, but looking […] Read more >