Latest news with #Dovercourt
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Police investigating after shots fired at Queen St. W. restaurant
Video Police say the shooting happened at a restaurant between Dovercourt Rd. and Lisgar St. There is no suspect information at this time.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
WW2 children mark 85 years since evacuation from Essex
Former child evacuees who are now in their 90s have attended an 85th anniversary event to mark the day they hopped on a train from east to west England during World War Two. Harwich Town Station was the venue to mark their evacuation from Harwich and Dovercourt in Essex, when children were moved from urban areas that could be targets for bombing by 2 May 1940, some 1,200 local schoolchildren and 77 teachers had a 10-hour train journey with the promise of Edgar, 93, was eight years old when she was evacuated to Eyton in Herefordshire where she said she "loved" living on a farm. Ms Edgar said she gave her mum a kiss before getting the train. She returned home four years later aged day of the evacuation had a normal start."We just went to school as normal with our little case and gas masks," she said."And then we had to all march down the main road to Dovercourt station. "I remember her kissing me goodbye, but I can't remember if that was before we left or at the school. But they weren't allowed to come with us."On the way across country, she said it was a very hot day and she was wearing a big winter coat because thick clothes would have been too heavy for the children to carry. John Durrant, 96, was evacuated from Wrabness, just along the railway line west of Harwich. He was 11 when he was sent to Gloucestershire and said: "I knew what was happening; I knew the war was on;, I heard sirens at night."I didn't really want to go, but we were all shoved on."Mr Durrant said he found a way to get home to Essex after he overheard that the port had been bombed and wanted to check to see if his parents were he returned, he realised his parents were unscathed."I was at a very impressionable age at the time. I knew the dangers, I knew we were being sent to a safe place," he added. David Whittle, curator of Harwich Museum, put the event together alongside Steve Delves, assistant Whittle said the children were at real risk and added: "Harwich could have been invaded, this was just after Dunkirk."It was imperative that the children left."This port is the closest port to Germany and therefore there could have been an invasion. It could have been vessels coming in and out."They might have bombed the harbour."After the journey, Mr Whittle said the children then had the ordeal of being picked by a prospective foster parent. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Essex teachers say 'too many' children aren't school-ready
Teachers have told the BBC "too many" children start primary school unable to blow their own noses or take themselves to the readiness was examined in a recent Essex Caring Communities Commission Report (ECCCR).Liz Bartholomew, headteacher at Mayflower Primary School in Dovercourt, said some parents "don't have a clear understanding of children's developmental needs".Essex County Council said it was launching a task force to try to increase the number of children who are school-ready by 50%. Nappy changing Ms Bartholomew said an increasing number of students were starting primary school without being able to use the toilet a result, Mayflower Primary School had to adapt its building and create a nappy-changing facility."Then I have to have two members of staff come out of a classroom to go and change a nappy," Ms Bartholomew added: "Suddenly I only have one adult looking after 29 four-year-olds." Other issues raised by Essex teachers include pupils not being able to blow their own nose, hold pencils or sit up straight in their Bartholomew acknowledged that some children who are not school-ready live with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (Send).And she believed there was a lack of clear information available about children's developmental stages at appropriate ages."There have been so many cuts in years gone by that we just don't have support for parents," she said. The ECCR indicates that the education disadvantage gap for children with Send has widened, rather than reduced. The education disadvantage gap reflects the difference in academic achievement between disadvantaged pupils and their Essex in 2024, 21% of Send pupils achieved expected standards in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2. The figure for children without Send is 72% - an attainment gap of 51%.In the ECCCR, Essex County Council said it would set up Caring Essex: School Ready Task Forces in priority areas to increase the numbers of children who are ready for school by 50%.Essex County Council aimed to "build on and deepen existing collaborations" to help pupils achieve at least the minimum expected Key Stage 2 standards by the age of 11.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- The Sun
The holiday park with indoor pool and nearby beach that mums are saying is the best in the UK – kids ‘never get bored'
DOVERCOURT Holiday Park has been called the 'best for families' by mums - with heated pools and an indoor climbing wall. The parenting brand Emma's Diary has put together a list of the best holiday parks for families around the UK, and Dovercourt topped the list - and you can stay there from £5pppn. 6 6 Emma's Diary took cots, reviews, food and prices into consideration when rating holiday parks around the UK. It said Dovercourt Holiday Park is best for an active mini-break and added that "boredom doesn't exist" at the park. The site praised the activities found at Dovercourt, like the indoor pool with waterslides and a huge soft play area. It also has crazy golf, ball pit, an indoor climbing wall and an entertainment clubhouse that stages live shows during the holiday season. There's an outdoor adventure playground and an all-weather sports court in case of rain. While lots of the accommodation is self-catering, there is an on-site restaurant that serves stone-baked pizzas and burgers. And there's a fish and chip shop in the middle of the park too. Don't forget your bucket and spade either as the park is right next to a sandy Blue Flag Beach, Dovercourt Bay. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "The swimming pool was sparkling clean and the slide was a definite favourite with the grandchildren. "We really enjoyed the pottery painting and sand art activities, and the soft play area was both clean and fun- it even had a climbing wall which the kids loved." English holiday park by the sea named the best in the country 6 6 Another added that it was the "best family holiday I've ever had". Anyone wanting to explore the park can do it on family-sized go-karts or even a Segway. The site offers workshops too like building your own teddy bear to pottery making classes. In terms of staying there, there are seven types of caravans with some sleeping up to 10 people. For anyone looking to travel in May, Dovercourt Holiday Park currently has an offer with Park Holidays. A four night stay for up to six people for £129 - which works out at just £5.36pppn. With that you get a Gold Plus Caravan stay which has central heating and quality furnishings. 6 Other favourite holiday parks mentioned is White Acres Holiday Park in Cornwall which Emma's Diary praised for "24/7 entertainment". Third on the list was the Golden Sands Holiday Park in Lincolnshire that was best for "multi-gen staycations" - which is fun for all the family. Next was Brynteg Glamping in Anglesey which was full of beautiful pods with views of Snowdonia. And the fifth best holiday park is Tummel Valley Holiday Park in Scotland which is for anyone wanting to see more of the outdoors. Here there are inflatable jet skis, a swimming pool and basketball court. Here are . Plus, TV star Josie Gibson reveals the UK holiday park she loves to visit with her son – with adventure playground and beach. Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids IF you've got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here's some advice to take on board. Plan Ahead: Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities. Research kid-friendly attractions and activities. Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children's schedules. Pack Smart: Create a packing checklist to ensure you don't forget essentials. Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained. Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on. Travel Comfort: Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey. Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones. Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep. Stay Organized: Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted. Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder. Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation. Engage and Entertain: Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals. Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums. Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged. Maintain Routine: Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible. Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals. Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children's needs and moods. Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments. Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip. These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories! 6
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
The holiday park with indoor pool and nearby beach that mums are saying is the best in the UK – kids ‘never get bored'
DOVERCOURT Holiday Park has been called the 'best for families' by mums - with heated pools and an indoor climbing wall. The parenting brand 6 Dovercourt Holiday Park has lots to keep children entertained - like the swimming pool Credit: Breakfree Holidays 6 There's a huge soft play area on site Credit: Breakfree Holidays Emma's Diary took cots, reviews, food and prices into consideration when rating holiday parks around the UK. It said Dovercourt Holiday Park is best for an active mini-break and added that "boredom doesn't exist" at the park. The site praised the activities found at Dovercourt, like the indoor pool with waterslides and a huge soft play area. It also has crazy golf, ball pit, an indoor climbing wall and an entertainment clubhouse that stages live shows during the holiday season. Read More on Holiday Parks There's an outdoor adventure playground and an all-weather sports court in case of rain. While lots of the accommodation is self-catering, there is an on-site restaurant that serves stone-baked pizzas and burgers. And there's a fish and chip shop in the middle of the park too. Don't forget your bucket and spade either as the park is right next to a sandy Blue Flag Beach, Dovercourt Bay. Most read in Family One visitor wrote on "We really enjoyed the pottery painting and sand art activities, and the soft play area was both clean and fun- it even had a climbing wall which the kids loved." English holiday park by the sea named the best in the country 6 There's an indoor climbing wall to explore Credit: Breakfree Holidays 6 Anyone staying there can choose from seven types of caravan Credit: Park Holidays Another added that it was the "best family holiday I've ever had". Anyone wanting to explore the park can do it on family-sized go-karts or even a Segway. The site offers workshops too like building your own teddy bear to pottery making classes. In terms of staying there, there are seven types of caravans with some sleeping up to 10 people. For anyone looking to travel in May, Dovercourt Holiday Park currently has an offer with A four night stay for up to six people for £129 - which works out at just £5.36pppn. With that you get a Gold Plus Caravan stay which has central heating and quality furnishings. 6 Dovercourt Holiday Park is right next to Dovercourt Bay Credit: Alamy Other favourite holiday parks mentioned is White Acres Holiday Park in Cornwall which Emma's Diary praised for "24/7 entertainment". Third on the list was the Golden Sands Holiday Park in Lincolnshire that was best for "multi-gen staycations" - which is fun for all the family. Next was Brynteg Glamping in Anglesey which was full of beautiful pods with views of Snowdonia. And the fifth best holiday park is Tummel Valley Holiday Park in Scotland which is for anyone wanting to see more of the outdoors. Here there are inflatable jet skis, a swimming pool and basketball court. Here are Plus, TV star Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids IF you've got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here's some advice to take on board. Plan Ahead: Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities. Research kid-friendly attractions and activities. Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children's schedules. Pack Smart: Create a packing checklist to ensure you don't forget essentials. Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained. Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on. Travel Comfort: Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey. Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones. Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep. Stay Organized: Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted. Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder. Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation. Engage and Entertain: Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals. Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums. Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged. Maintain Routine: Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible. Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals. Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children's needs and moods. Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments. Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip. These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories! 6 Dovercourt has been praised by mums as being 'the best' holiday park in the UK Credit: Breakfree Holidays
