From major headlines surrounding Maldon & Tiptree FC to changes in local politics and discussions about the future structure of Essex councils, it has been a significant week across our corner of the county. Some of these stories are immediate and dramatic. Others are quieter developments that could shape everyday…

It was a very long night across Colchester — and in Tiptree, it came down to a single vote. After polls closed on Thursday evening, ballot counting continued overnight before final results for the 2026 Colchester City Council elections were confirmed at around 5:30am Friday morning. Turnout across the city…

A pre-school, a poorly household, and the reality of “back-to-back bugs” There’s been a noticeable absence from the newsroom lately. No breaking updates.No council deep dives.Not even a mildly judgemental weather comment. Strawberry Reporter has, quite simply, been off sick. And not just a “bit of a cold” situation. We’re…

Residents in Tiptree are being invited to take a more active role in road safety, as a new Community Speed Watch group launches in the village. Supported by Tiptree Parish Council, the initiative aims to monitor vehicle speeds in local areas and raise awareness among drivers about the importance of…

Families across Essex looking for something to do this Bank Holiday weekend might want to take note, as Hopefield Animal Sanctuary & Visitor Centre is hosting its Family Festival across its 53-acre site. The event is being pitched as a full day out, with a mix of entertainment, play areas,…

Residents in and around Tolleshunt Knights and Tolleshunt D’Arcy have been advised of a competitive cycling event set to take place on 10 May 2026. The race will cover approximately 50 miles, with riders completing eight laps of a circuit through the local area. Organisers expect up to 60 cyclists…

Two weeks of overnight roadworks set to test late-night patience Drivers around Tiptree, Witham and Colchester are being warned to expect disruption as overnight closures come into force along the A12. National Highways has begun a series of road surface repairs between junctions 19 and 25, running from Monday 20…

£1,700 for seven nights. Same place, same room, same everything — just a different week, and suddenly it’s nearly double. That’s the reality many families are facing right now. A recent booking at Butlin’s for a family of four during the summer holidays came in at £1,700. Move that exact…

Witham Town FC is having a moment — and not the quiet, polite kind you expect from non-league football. In recent days, the club has seen a noticeable spike in attention, with more supporters turning up than usual and growing interest spreading beyond the local area. What was once a…

If it feels like housing numbers in Tiptree keep creeping up, you are not imagining it. At a recent meeting of Tiptree Parish Council’s Planning and Highways Committee, councillors were told that more homes are now required across the wider Colchester area than originally planned. The reason sits higher up…