Concerns are growing over non-emergency patient transport services used by our local hospital after reports that vulnerable patients have been left waiting extended periods for journeys home. Several patients and relatives have described significant delays in arranging transport following hospital appointments and discharges, with some claiming that patients have remained…

Residents across Tiptree briefly abandoned whatever they were doing this afternoon to engage in one of the village’s most treasured traditions: staring at a helicopter and immediately opening Facebook. The dark helicopter, believed by many to have been a police aircraft, was seen repeatedly circling low over areas including Grove…

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…