Essex Warbler Volume 41: November 2020 Help Essex Buy Local – Looking for Food and Drink Producers and Retailers Essex-based food and drink producers and retailers are now registering and adding their details to the interactive map which you can find here. If you are involved with producing, growing or selling local food or drink items, please register your business here. For more information please email [email protected] Village Halls and Community Buildings RCCE has a very proactive Village Hall and Community Buildings service. All VH members receive updates, as soon as they are released by Government and/or ACRE, on the current Covid-19 rules and regulations for their halls, and perhaps more importantly, for the trustees. If you are not yet a member of the village halls and community buildings service, please contact [email protected] ACRE National Village Hall and Community Buildings Survey – report now available. The ten-year National Village Hall Surveys provide a snapshot of the state of England’s varied and essential village and community halls, their funding, use and changes over time. This survey records the state of village and community halls immediately before COVID-19 forced the first ever mass closure in their long history. You can read the report in full here. Natural England unveils plans for coast path in Essex – Consultation Ends 9/12/2020 Proposals to open up a 50 mile stretch of coast between Salcott and Jaywick have been unveiled by Natural England. This final stretch of the path will complete a 295 mile (474 kilometres) coastal route along the Essex coast. The consultation runs until 9th December 2020. The route would become part of the England Coast Path which is a 2,700 mile long distance walking route. It is also England’s newest National Trail which is currently being developed around the entire English coast by Natural England. A message from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst: “Have you ever thought of becoming a magistrate? If you are between 18 and 65 you could apply to train for this vital role in the justice system and give back to your community. Magistrates are unpaid volunteers who use their everyday skills to deal with real social issues and make life-changing decisions. Many employers recognise the benefit of allowing employees the time off to do this valuable work partly because of the skills learned which impact favourably in the workplace. Please click here for more details”. Please Note: Our office still remains closed until further notice, and our staff are working from home and can be contacted by email. General enquiries can be sent to [email protected]. Our phone is being monitored and will be answered during normal office hours. RCCE, Threshelfords Business Park, Inworth Road, CO5 9SE www.essexrcc.org.uk 01376 574330 Registered Charity No. 1097009. Company registered in England and Wales No. 4609624. Registered for VAT No. 159 6313 88 .