Latest news with #MerseaIsland
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Runner, 91, seizes the day at Mersea Island Parkrun
A man has completed his first-ever Parkrun at the age of Thorley finished the 5km (3.1-mile) run on Mersea Island, Essex, in just over an met both his aims for the run - to finish the course and to not come last - and said he wanted to encourage people to have a go and make some more friends."If I don't do it now, when am I going to do it? I'm getting older by the day," he said. Mr Thorley first signed up for Parkrun - a weekly, timed 5km event which takes place in more than 20 countries across the world - four years ago, just one year after undergoing heart surgery. But he did not take part until a fortnight ago, clocking a time of 1:03:04."It's a question of 'Carpe Diem' ['seize the day' in Latin]," he is not the oldest person to have taken part in Parkrun, Messam was a regular at a Parkrun in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, at the age of 95, while Colin Thorne marked his 101st birthday in style in January by completing his 217th Parkrun in Whangarei, New Thorley's wife Sarah, 69, is a regular Parkrunner, last week completing her 100th, with a time of 32: comes back "enthused" from the event, thanks to the "wonderful, friendly and encouraging people".She said: "The real stars are the people who set it all up; all the volunteers every week."Some people are here every week and they mightn't even ever have done a run, but they're here because they like it. It's a really nice, friendly place."Race director Viv Fox said: "We're just really lucky to have a core group of people who like coming here week in and week out and just enjoy the atmosphere." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Paddleboarder helps rescue submerged car with passengers inside
A car was rescued after getting trapped underwater on the only road connecting Mersea Island to the UK mainland. The Strood - a tidal causeway also known as Mersea Road - often floods during high tide, cutting off access for vehicles and pedestrians. Mat Harvey, 32, was paddleboarding nearby when he spotted the submerged car with an elderly couple still inside. Two RNLI rescue team members were already on the scene, but Mat jumped in to help. A dramatic video shows the trio pushing the waterlogged vehicle to safety as the couple sat inside, cold and soaked. The pair were evacuated from the car and treated by a waiting ambulance.
New York Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
An Eighth-Generation Oyster Farmer Sees Hope in Britain's Trade Deal
A decade ago, Tom Haward and his late father, Richard, began crafting a plan to expand their family's oyster business. For two and a half centuries, the Hawards have cultivated oysters on Mersea Island on the east coast of England. They used to sail their mollusks up the River Thames to London. The latest generations wanted to go farther afield, to sell half their oysters to mainland Europe. The European market was alluring. For an island nation, Britain does not eat much fish and shellfish, and Mr. Haward and his father believed Europe would provide a 'consistent market.' But those European expansion plans were torpedoed by Britain's decision to leave the European Union. Seven years ago, Mr. Haward said goodbye to the few continental customers he had and focused on selling his oysters at home. Now, thanks to a new trade agreement Britain signed with the European Union, Mr. Haward hopes to revive those old ambitions. 'I do feel quite optimistic that something really lucrative could happen with Europe again,' he said, standing in his shed on the coast. 'If it's done right — basically resetting everything back to the way it used to be for shellfish movements — there's nothing stopping us creating a great relationship with Europeans again.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Black barley and piccolo to be grown in Essex 'for the first time'
A farmer said he had chosen Essex to be the "first county in the UK" to grow two healthy and sustainable types of Jones from Shropshire will grow black barley grain near Colchester, which can be used for making barley risottos or sprinkled on cereals and will also grow piccolo wheat on Mersea Island as a sustainable and healthy alternative to giant couscous."It's completely new for the UK... There's no other black barley or piccolo wheat that's produced here," the 37-year-old said. He chose Essex because of its dry climate, which is needed to grow the crops."Growers in Essex seem very keen on trying new things and being part of that experiment," said Mr Jones, director of The British Quinoa Company."Essex has a relatively dry climate, so when it comes to harvest, we can maintain that grain quality. The black barley stays a nice dark colour, while the wheat maintains its texture."He said the crops need "very low farming input" and do not need as much fertiliser or pesticides. "By planting them in the spring, you're leaving the ground free for ground-nesting birds in the winter, so there is an environmental benefit there," he added. Mr Jones believed there were also health benefits to this type of said: "If you compare piccolo wheat with giant couscous, it [piccolo wheat] is hands down greater in fibre content."Black barley also has greater protein and fibre content than standard barley."People are looking for healthier, wholegrain nutrients in their diet." Asked what the market would be like, Mr Jones said he expected it to be a success."We're going into this without fully knowing the demand, but then we didn't know if there would be demand for quinoa [which is also grown in Essex]," he everything goes to plan, he expects to see both grains in production and available on the market by next year. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- BBC News
Kite surfer in 'distress' rescued from sea off Mersea Island
A kite surfer had to be rescued from the sea after he "fell into distress", a police force has Police said a 999 call was made to the Coastguard at Mersea Island on man had been in the water for about 30 minutes and could not get to the shore safely, said Insp Jennifer Bliss said: "Thankfully this incident was ultimately very safely dealt with by marine officers who were able to locate him very quickly after the call being transferred to us." The man was brought to shore safely and given medical checks, police said. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
