Latest news with #Colchester-based
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Backing Ed Sheeran 'just playing with a friend' says Essex band
A folk band who backed Ed Sheeran at a surprise gig said they were "just playing music with a friend in the pub".Fishclaw backed the star as he played some of his greatest hits during an hour-long performance in Ipswich on played at short notice and did just one sound check about five minutes before playing with Sheeran at The Thomas Wolsey in Ipswich town Hobbs, who plays guitar and mandolin in the band, said: "It was a bit of a risk for him, given that we hadn't practised at all beforehand... but the faith he had in us was quite something." Mr Hobbs, who has been friends with Sheeran for many years, said the Shape of You star messaged him ahead of the gig to ask if he could play with them."It was just playing music with a friend in the pub. He is a very sound, solid, normal guy," he said."Ed was good at bringing the best out of people and the crowd."It was nice playing in a local venue. It was spontaneous." 'Heart of music' Colchester-based Fishclaw have been together for the past 12 years. Alongside Mr Hobbs, Shari Statcher plays Irish whistles, Charlie Charlton plays bass and Simon Keep plays piano accordion and keys, while Pete Rowley is on drums and Jos Dow on Hobbs said live jamming sessions were one of Sheeran's favourite things to do."Events like this help remind people that music is about connection," said Mr Hobbs."That is really the heart of music."The venue, in St Peter's Street, has been temporarily renamed The Old Phone after Sheeran's latest singer, who went to school in Framlingham and still lives in Suffolk, last week announced a series of three homecoming concerts at Ipswich Town's Portman Road 34-year-old star is a keen supporter of the club and a minority shareholder. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In pictures: New £1.5million south Essex seafront pavilion taking shape
WORK is progressing well on a new beach pavilion at Canvey's Thorney Bay ahead of a scheduled spring opening. The seafront pavilion and café was initially set to be completed this month, but images show steady progress on the major addition to Canvey's seafront. Bold - The pavilion will offer new facilities to beach users on Canvey (Image: Richard Windell) Designed to house a new café the £1.5 million Thorney Bay pavilion is also set to feature public toilets, a foot wash for beach users, and a car park extension. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. A spokesperson for Castle Point Council has previously said that while they cannot disclose details on the future operator of the café, they have seen 'a good level of interest'. Progress - The building is clad in wood with large sea-facing windows (Image: Richard Windell) The new pavilion and its associated facilities were funded through a grant from the national government's Coastal Communities Fund. This project is part of the wider regeneration plans for Canvey seafront and, alongside improvements to the sea defences, should offer an impressive visitor experience for both residents and tourists. Impressive - The pavilion incorporates a modern and eye-catching design (Image: Richard Windell) The construction project has been hit by a number of delays and false-starts since it was first announced in 2016 but finally got underway in March of last year. Photos of the pavilion show a wood-clad structure with large sea-facing windows and plenty of outdoor space. Works - The major new addition to the seafront will surely be welcomed by residents (Image: Richard Windell) The project is being led by top Colchester-based property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood who is providing full planning, design, project management, and contract administration.
