< Back Silhouette of Dr Thomas Tomkin Silhouette in it's original frame, reframed to show the inscription on the back This framed piece shows the silhouette of Dr Thomas Tomkin, still in it's original frame, on one side, and the inscription from the back of the silhouette which reads: Dr Tomkin Witham Born 1779 At Yalding Kent July 2nd 69 Born 1779, Dr Thomas Tomkin established a private lunatic asylum in The Retreat, Maldon Road, Witham. 'White’s Directory of Essex' (1848) noted that 18 residents of Witham were cared for in “the private Lunatic Asylum, which was established here in 1819, by Mr. Tompkin, surgeon, and has room for 30 patients.” The Retreat is now a collection of bungalows.

< Back Witham Constitutional Club Commemorative items from Witham Constitutional Club We have three glasses, engraved to commemorate 100 years of the Witham Constitutional Club 1896-1996. We also have a boxed commemorative medal celebrating 100 years of the Association of Constitutional Clubs 1894-1994. To complete the set, we have a pamphlet dated 1982 telling the history of Witham Constitutional Club from 1896 until 1945 and a newsletter celebrating 100 years of the Witham branch. The pamphlet has a detailed account of the fire that burnt the club to the ground in 1910

< Back Safe Driving Medals 30 years of safe driving medals These medals have been kindly donated to us having previously belonged to Horace "Horrie" Owers. Mr Owers worked for C.W.S.Creamery, formerly in Highfields Roads on the site where Asda now stands. The bars of the medals span 24 years from 1943 to 1967, with only 1961 and 1964 missing, and are spread over four ribbons. Two more ornate top bars are included to celebrate 15 and 20 years in 1953 and 1958 respectively, suggesting that some of the earliest medals are missing. There are 2 safe driving hangings components to the medals Also in the box is a photograph of Mr Owers, and a certificate and a 30 year membership medal for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.

< Back Teddy Bear's Picnic Thursday, 6 August 2026 Our Teddy Bear's Picnic takes place on Thursday 6th August. This is a free ticketed event. You are encouraged to bring your own picnic and your favourite bear! More details will be released nearer the time 2024 2023 Previous Next

< Back Witham submits bid for UK Town of Culture 2028 2 Apr 2026 Witham Town Council has formally submitted its Expression of Interest to become UK Town of Culture 2028, marking the next step in an ambitious plan to put the town’s people, places and stories centre stage. The bid sets out a year‑long programme of events and projects celebrating Witham’s rich history, green spaces and creative talent, while tackling some of the big issues residents have raised. A key element of the proposal is the creation of an indoor skating rink as part of a new “active arts world” venue, giving children and young people a safe, exciting place to spend time, learn new skills and get involved in creative activities. The bid also proposes converting the former Poundland store into a dedicated arts and cultural space, where local artists and makers can exhibit, advertise and sell their work, helping to bring fresh life and footfall into the town centre. Over recent weeks, the Town Council has been asking local people what they would like to see in the programme if Witham is successful. This has included a visit by the Mayor and Town Clerk to the School Council at Lift Maltings, where students shared their priorities for culture in the town and completed a short survey. The same survey was launched more widely across Witham, online and at town events, to gather views from residents of all ages on what should be in the bid. Ideas put forward so far include more free and low‑cost cultural activities, better use of green spaces such as the River Walk and Whetmead Nature Reserve, and new ways to bring Witham’s history and stories, including the lesser‑known tale of James Cooke to a wider audience. Town Clerk Nikki Smith said:“Our bid has been built from the ground up, with residents, community groups, young people and cultural organisations all helping to shape it. The visit to Lift Maltings and the town‑wide survey were particularly important as young people were very clear about what matters to them, from tackling anti‑social behaviour by bringing back a town centre police station to having spaces like an indoor skating rink where they can be creative and active.” The Mayor of Witham added:“Witham has a powerful story to tell and a huge amount of pride and talent. Submitting this bid is just the start. Whatever the outcome, we want to keep working with local people to create more chances to take part in culture, support our town centre and bring our community together, whether that’s through new venues, more events or spaces for local artists to thrive.” If shortlisted, Witham Town Council will receive development funding to work up a full Town of Culture programme in greater detail, with further rounds of consultation planned to ensure local people remain at the heart of the plans. Residents can stay up to date on the Witham Town Council website www.witham.gov.uk and social media channels https://www.facebook.com/withamcouncil/ and https://www.facebook.com/withamcouncil/ . Previous Next

< Back Commemorative Railway Medal 150 Years of the Witham-Braintree Line This commemorative medal was produced by First Great Eastern, in a limited run of 200, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Witham to Braintree line in 1998. The line was originally built in 1848 and has undergone many changes over the years. Although the Witham end of the line remains the same, the changes have been far reaching at the Braintree end of the line. Most recently, the addition of the Braintree freeport station which opened in 1999. Originally the line stretched through to Bishops Stortford, with Braintree station itself having 2 platforms, however that part of the line closed to passengers in 1952 and to freight in 1972, and is now the Flitch Way.

Previous surveys, petitions and consultations Residents are, wherever possible, given the opportunity to participate in surveys either online via our website, by completing and returning a paper copy to us in the Information Centre or by visiting our Councillors at one of their pop-up stalls in the town centre. Paper copies are circulated to every household in Witham inside Witham's Voice magazine. Previous surveys, petitions and consultations include: Spring 2026 - We conducted a survey asking residents to tell us what cultural events they would like us to spend money on if our Town of Culture bid is successful Autumn 2025 - We conducted a survey asking residents to tell us about their travel to and from Broomfield Hospital. Over 250 people completed the survey either online or on paper. Autumn 2025 - We held a petition on parking in Newland Street. The Petition was to support Witham Town Council’s decision to oppose the changes intended to be implemented by the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP). Signatures were collected both online and on paper, in the Information Centre and a number of shops and businesses within the town. 881 signatures of people opposing the scheme were submitted to NEPP in November 25. Autumn 2025 - We held a public art consultation asking for ideas on how to spend Section 106 money that is allocated to an art project Autumn 2024 - We conducted a consultation asking if Witham residents were in favour of a Pride event in the town Summer 2024 - Residents were invited to submit their ideas for improvements in our open spaces that would be funded Spring 2024 - An eco survey asked residents to let us know what they recycled and where, as well as their views on climate change Winter 2023 - We conducted a survey asking residents their opinions of our events schedule and invited them to tell us what events they would like us to put on Spring 2022 - We asked Witham residents for their feedback on our quarterly magazine, Witham's Voice Autumn 2020 - We conducted a survey to find resident's views of the current CCTV in the town and ask for their suggestions of locations to extend the CCTV network to Summer 2020 - We invited users of the River Walk to give us their feedback to help us shape our River Walk Management Plan March 2020 - Residents of Pelly Avenue were asked for feedback on the parking in their road 2019 - Residents of The Paddocks were consulted on parking concerns in their road On issues that affect the residents of Witham, the Town Council also promote and facilitate completion of surveys for Braintree District Council and Essex Council. In addition to our surveys, we have also asked for the help and input of Witham residents: In August 2025, we arranged for a street artist to paint the skate park in Witham. The community street art event at Witham skate park was a great success. The event, funded by developers Section 106 contributions, saw around 50 children and young people work with professional artist Scott Irving from Brave Arts to create artwork at the skate park in Spa Road. Scott had engaged with young people at the Witham Hangout Youth Club and consulted with the skate park community ahead of the event for input on the designs to be created. Guided by the professional artists on the day, the participants played an active role in bringing the skate park to life, leaving behind vibrant artworks they can proudly call their own. In 2025, we have asked for volunteers to help us cut and collect the meadow in Mill Lane. Previously, the meadow has been cut and the cuttings left in place, but after a trial of the cut and collect method on part of the meadow, it was found that the wild flowers there thrived. To complete this for the entire meadow, we need some help! We have appealed for volunteers to help us collect the cuttings, and with luck the the wild flowers in the meadow will benefit for the enjoyment of everyone in 2026. In Spring 2023, we appealed for residents to sign up to Essex County Council's salt bag scheme. Volunteers were needed to collect, store, and when the time came spread the salt to assist with clearing the snow from Witham's paths. Volunteers of the popular scheme were given advice on the best method of snow clearance. Witham Town Council launched a petition in Summer 2024 opposing the charges intended to be implemented by the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) intend to convert current free parking spaces in Newland Street to paid ones, which Witham Town Council has taken action in actively opposing. The Town Council has argued that because the use of these spaces will be no different, converting free spaces to charged will do nothing to reduce congestion, nor will it improve air quality. They have raised concerns that access to services will be adversely affected, as will be the economic vitality and vibrancy of the Town Centre and Newland Street. As well as this, that the electronic payment system will have an adverse impact on those who do not have electronic payment abilities. The Council has therefore opposed the NEPP’s proposed new charges, as they fail to meet the Partnership’s Policy framework. There has been no evidence shown, particularly with regard to the economic vitality and vibrancy of Witham’s Town Centre and Newland Street that any research has been undertaken to demonstrate that the net income increase in charges will not be adversely offset by the reduction in economic activity from the Town Centre and High Street traders. This petition is now closed and has been submitted. Also in 2024, Witham Town Council conducted a petition and also held a public consultation about the proposed closure of St Peters Hospital in Maldon. The 150-year-old hospital building is set to close permanently and its services moved under plans to reallocate community inpatient beds. If St Peters closes there will be changes to the places where community hospital intermediate care and stroke rehabilitation services are provided, resulting in residents having to travel to Brentwood or Billericay to receive stroke services. This will also make permanent the temporary move of the freestanding midwife-led birthing unit from St Peter’s Hospital, Maldon, to the William Julien Courtauld Unit at St Michael’s, Braintree, an already strained facility, so many residents will have to go to Broomfield Hospital. Currently there are no plans as to where outpatient services, such as blood testing will go. If services end up at Broomfield Hospital, Witham residents who do not drive will have to get three buses to get to the Hospital or pay for a taxi service. After a petition, Witham Town Council held a public consultation at New Rickstones Academy on Monday 11th March 2024. A representative from the Alliance Director of NHS mid and South Essex Daniel Doherty, attended to answer any questions. Members of the public were encouraged to attend and participate to ensure Witham has its say regarding the closure and to demonstrate the Town Council’s concerns, regarding the lack of existing medical facilities in the Town and how the closure would further exacerbate this problem.

< Back Photograph of Newland Street Witham Photograph of Newland Street dated 1900 This photograph of Newland Street is dated 1900 was recently donated to us, and was taken from roughly level with the form Lloyds Bank building, facing up the road towards Colchester. Whilst the picture is recognisable as Newland Street, there are many differences to the Newland Street that we know today. Most noticeably, there are no cars and far fewer people around. You can see on this photograph that the town clock is on the opposite side of the road to where it is now, on the front of a building that has a light out the front reading 'Public Hall'. This building burnt down ten years later in 1910, but from this photo also seems to house Coker & Rice Furniture Warehouse.

Funding Secured < Back Direct Bus to Broomfield Hospital 26 Mar 2026 Funding Secured Direct Bus from Witham to Broomfield Hospital We’re delighted to share that our bid to the second round of the Essex “Love Your Bus” Fund has been successful, securing £50,000 of funding. Together with £30,000 of Section 106 funding being released by Braintree District Council , this will allow us to work in partnership with Digigo to provide a direct bus link from Witham to Broomfield Hospital for residents. This new service will operate as a one-year trial, with the potential to be extended if it becomes self-funding. A huge thank you to all the local groups, residents and councillors who helped provide evidence and support for the bid. Further details will be provided nearer the launch date. Previous Next

Broomfield Hospital Bus Link PDF link to information on Broomfield Hospital Bus link for screen readers

Accessibility Statement Accessibility Statement for Witham Town Council This statement applies to www.witham.gov.uk We want everyone to use our website easily. If you need information in a different format (like large print, audio, braille, or easy read), please email infocentre@witham.gov.uk If you find a problem with the website, please tell us. We will do our best to fix things quickly. This website is run by Witham Town Council. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to: change colours, contrast levels and fonts zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen navigate most of the website using just a keyboard navigate most of the website using speech recognition software listen to most of the website using a screen reader We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand. https://abilitynet.org.uk/ has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability. Compliance status This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard (previously 2.1), due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below: Non-accessible content Some parts of this website are not fully accessible: PDFs and other documents: Some older PDFs and Word documents may not be accessible to screen reader software. Maps: Online maps are not fully accessible, but we provide addresses and contact details in text alongside where possible. Third-party content: We cannot guarantee accessibility for content hosted on external websites or systems we do not control. Video for Town of Culture: An issue has been identified where a form label associated with the video component is missing. We are actively reviewing this and will resolve it as soon as possible. We are working to replace or update inaccessible content where possible. What to do if you cannot access parts of this website If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact us: Email: infocentre@witham.gov.uk Call: 01376 520627 Write to: Witham Town Council, Town Hall, 61 Newland Street, Witham, Essex CM8 2FE We’ll consider your request and get back to you within 10 working days. Reporting accessibility problems We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact us at infocentre@witham.gov.uk Enforcement procedure The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) Technical information about this website’s accessibility Witham Town Council is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. This website is partially compliant with the WCAG 2.2 AA standard due to the non-compliances listed above. Ongoing efforts We are taking the following steps to improve accessibility: Regular audits: We carry out accessibility checks and work to fix issues found. Staff training: Our team is trained to create and maintain accessible content. Feedback process: We welcome user feedback to help us improve further. Preparation of this accessibility statement This statement was prepared on 18th March 2026 It was last reviewed on 23rd March 2026. It will be reviewed again by 23rd March 2027.

< Back Engraving of the River Walk Engraving of Roman Station at Chipping Hill We have this engraving entitled 'Roman Station at Chipping Hill, Witham, Essex'. The drawing is by W. Bartlett and the engraving by Tombleson. The drawing shows St Nicolas Church and Chipping Hill in the background. The artist appears to be standing around where the viaduct now stands in Armond Road. The engraving is featured on Witham historian Janet Gyford's website. You can find more information here: https://www.janetgyford.com/engraving-of-chipping-hill-and-river-brain-3/