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< Back Bio-Blitz Thursday, 28 May 2026 With the school half-term approaching we have an opportunity to explore the wonderful Whetmead Nature Reserve with wildlife experts on hand to tell you all about the diverse nature that call this home. With a fantastic outlook over the area you could pitch up for a picnic and it is only a few minutes from the town centre! Access from Blackwater Lane, just off Maldon Road. 🌍 Witham Town Council held their first Bio-Blitz on 23rd July 2025, inviting residents of whatever age to join us in recording the different types of plants, animals and insects on the River Walk with the help of the expertise from Essex Wildlife Trust and Essex Field Club . 🐞 The goal is for all of us to learn more about local wildlife, help with conservation, and have fun discovering the natural world. Think of it as a wildlife treasure hunt! 🐾 🦋 🌿 🪱 Previous Next

< Back Stoneware Jug Part glazed stoneware jug This stoneware jug is inscribed on the top with the words: 'Rum Nash Wine & Spirit Merchant Witham' Our investigations have not provided any further information, so we would be interested to know if anyone can shed any light on this company.

Crafty Bear Cafe win first prize < Back Witham Christmas Window Competition Winners 22 Dec 2023 Crafty Bear Cafe win first prize Witham Mayor, Councillor Susan Ager, has presented Crafty Bear Cafe with their prize hamper after they were voted clear winners in the Witham Christmas Window Competition. Business owners and members of the public were asked to submit their nominations for the award. We received nine entries, and the public were asked to vote on Facebook by 'liking' their favourite picture. Crafty Bear Cafe were clear winners by almost 400 clear votes with their advent calendar style painted windows. Their window clearly captured the public's imagination and lent itself perfectly to the style they had chosen, and were the perfect way to celebrate their first Christmas in the town. Congratulations also go to the runners up, Rag Tag & Bobtail and Havens Hospices, and to all the entrants for their beautiful windows and the hard work that went into them. Previous Next

Witham Town Council Grant Awards Scheme Witham Town Council holds the General Power of Competence to give grants to local organisations that are of benefit to Witham. Each year a budget is allocated by Councillors for making such applications, in accordance with the Town Council’s grant application policy. Applications are welcomed from groups which fall into the specified criteria including non-profits and community organisations. Responsibility for determining grant applications is delegated to the Community Committee. If you would like to make an application for grant aid, please download and complete an application form and Project Review Report available from the link below. Please ensure you have read the guidelines provided before submitting to Witham Town Council for validation. Completed applications can be emailed to finance@witham.gov.uk WTC Grant Application Form PDF Project Review Report PDF WTC Grant Awarding Policy Grants Awarded 25-26 PDF Grants Awarded 24-25 PDF Grants Awarded 23-24 PDF Grants Awarded 22-23 PDF Grants Awarded 21-22 PDF Grants Awarded 20-21 PDF Grants Awarded 19-20 PDF Witham Town Councillor Grant Awards Scheme Witham Town Council provides up to £500 per Councillor annually to support local projects that benefit their ward. This scheme is designed to be straightforward and accessible for community groups. Grants range from £100 to £500 and applications are open year-round. Please read the Councillor Grant Scheme Policy for further information. Councillor Grant Scheme Policy Councillor Grant Application Form PDF

< Back Set of Britain's First Decimal Coins Britain's First Decimal Coins This is a commemorative set of the first decimal coins issued for decimalisation on Monday 15th February 1971. Of this set, only the 1p and 2p remain unchanged, with the halfpenny going out of circulation in 1984 and the 5p and 10p being changed for the coins we now use in 1990 and 1992 respectively. 'The change of British coins to the new decimal system was announced in March 1966, with the introduction of the 5p and 10p in 1968. These coins were the same size and value as the coins they were replacing so could be in circulation at the same time. This commemorative set was sold in large numbers from 1968, even though the copper coins were not yet in circulation, to promote familiarity with the coins ahead of 'D-Day' in February 1971, the date of the official change to decimal currency. For more information visit: https://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/journal/history/decimalisation/

< Back Gavel & Block Witham Town Council Gavel and Block This wooden gavel was presented to Witham Town Council at it's inaugural meeting by District Councillor D.R.H. Johnson, Chair of the District Council's Policy Committee. The presentation was made to the Chair of Witham Town Council, Councillor W.A. Marsh. This meeting was held on 5th May 1982, and the presentation was recorded in the minutes at item 4, along with the presentation of 'The Official order and accompanying maps establishing the new parish, and also a commemorative scroll sent with the best wishes of the District Council'. Witham Town Council was formed at this meeting in April 1982 after Witham Urban District Council was dissolved in 1974 and Braintree District Council was formed under the Local Government Act of 1972. The gavel and block are made from wood from the mahogany family. The gavel and block is still used at council meetings today, over 40 years after it was presented to us.

Witham Town Council in partnership with The Bee Friendly Trust have created a bee garden < Back New Bee Friendly Planting Area on Witham’s River Walk 28 Feb 2024 Witham Town Council in partnership with The Bee Friendly Trust have created a bee garden Witham Town Council in partnership with The Bee Friendly Trust have created a bee garden on the edge of the River Walk near River View. The haven includes bird boxes, 3 bee hotels for solitary bees, rosemary bushes, olive trees, skimmia, euphorbia, cytisus ivy, verbena, cornflower and sunflower seeds and geraniums together with an information board of bee facts. This beautiful area with its proximity to the river makes it a perfect spot for bees. This exciting project has been funded with developer Section 106 money from Braintree District Council which was specifically allocated for landscaping in this area. It is designed to provide much needed support for nature, in particular bees whose populations have been in decline worldwide as a result of habitat loss, pesticide usage and climate change. Witham Town Council are delighted with the project and a spokesperson said “Witham Town Council and Braintree District Council are both committed to encouraging biodiversity and combatting the effects of Climate Change locally and we will continue to look at ways of supporting our wildlife, promoting nature recovery and ensuring Witham is a beautiful place to live.” Previous Next

< Back Remembrance 2024 Previous Next

Witham Town Council secures funding to continue Witham’s vision for the future < Back Witham Town Council Precept 2024-25 12 Jan 2024 Witham Town Council secures funding to continue Witham’s vision for the future On Monday, Town Councillors overwhelmingly agreed that Witham’s share of the district’s council tax will rise by 26p a week for band D residents from April. Most householders in Witham live in band B and C properties and consequently will pay slightly less. Witham Town Council receives the smallest proportion from the overall council tax yet provides Witham with a wealth of services at less than £2 week. The money covers the cost of the Town Hall, which houses the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic and Barclays hub since the bank’s closure, as well as the Information Centre, whose friendly staff help residents with their queries and concerns. The precept further funds the management of the allotments with a new site opening this year, Witham’s spectacular summer floral displays, the Christmas light decorations and most prominently the overall maintenance of Whetmead Nature Reserve, James Cooke Wood, the Closed Churchyard and the “Jewel in the Crown”, The River Walk. In addition, there are plans this year to increase the number of free events organised by the Town Council, following positive feedback from the recent survey in the quarterly Voice magazine. The Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Spooktacular, Santa’s grotto and highly successful Street Entertainment Festival and Christmas Fayre will continue and the recent additions of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Music Festival will be retained in the event’s calendar as well as the Dog Show returning due to popular demand. Witham Town Council is particularly focused on community safety and has this year overseen the installation of a number of CCTV cameras across the town and manages their ongoing usage. The Council supports a newly appointed Street Warden as well as Witham’s Special Constables, who attend surgeries at the Hub. The Council also facilitates a Community Beat surgery twice monthly at The Town Hall with Essex Police for residents to voice any concerns. Going forward, there are plans to fund more services including speed reduction measures. The leader of Witham Town Council, Councillor Phil Barlow is proud of what Witham achieves “We believe that, at less than £2 a week, we offer outstanding value for money to Witham’s residents. We are committed to making Witham a safe enjoyable and healthy place to live for everyone and this will help make those plans a reality”. The annual public meeting will be held in April where Councillors explain what the Council does in more detail and all the Council’s elected member details are available on the Town Council website, in the Witham Voice or in the Town Hall. Previous Next

< Back Photo of Trafalgar Day Celebrations Photograph by Hall Photo of the 1905 Trafalgar Day Celebrations in Witham We have this photograph by Halls Photo of the Trafalgar Day celebrations held in Witham in 1905. This was the centenary year marking 100 years since the British Navy victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, led by Admiral Lord Nelson, on 21st October 1805. Celebrations were held across the country, including Trafalgar Square in London. Here in Witham, this photo shows Admiral Sir William Luard on a dais outside a stationery shop at 70 Newland Street. This building is currently Prezzo. More information can be found on Janet Gyford's website here: https://www.janetgyford.com/trafalgar-day-centenary-ceremony-outside-70-newland-street-with-admiral-luard-distant-view-2/

Celebrating Community Heroes: Mayor of Witham's Civic Awards 2023 < Back Mayor of Witham's Civic Awards 4 Aug 2023 Celebrating Community Heroes: Mayor of Witham's Civic Awards 2023 Witham is brimming with compassionate and dedicated individuals and organisations working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the community and the environment. Recognizing these unsung heroes and their efforts, the Mayor of Witham Cllr Susan Ager is delighted to announce the return of the Civic Awards for 2023, an event that honours exceptional contributions and achievements by local individuals and groups. Set to take place on Sunday, 22nd October 2023, at the United Reformed Church in Witham, the Civic Service will be a momentous occasion where the Mayor will present the awards to the well-deserved winners. How you can nominate someone you believe to be a community hero? The Civic Awards The awards encompass three distinctive categories, each reflecting a different aspect of community service: 1. The Community Award The Community Award is designed to honour local organisations that have made a significant and lasting impact on the community. These organisations go above and beyond in their efforts to improve the lives of Witham's residents, fostering unity, and addressing pressing issues. It could be a charity group, a voluntary association, or any other organisation that has demonstrated dedication and creativity in their community work. Nominations for this category are open to everyone who wishes to highlight the invaluable contributions of these groups. If you know an organization that deserves recognition, don't hesitate to send your nomination to admin@witham.gov.uk by Monday, 4th September 2023. 2. The Environment Award Witham takes pride in its beautiful surroundings and green spaces, and the Environment Award aims to recognize those individuals or groups who have played a pivotal role in the conservation and protection of the town's natural environment. Whether it's organising local clean-up drives, promoting sustainable practices, or advocating for ecological awareness, these unsung heroes contribute to the betterment of the town and its residents. If you know someone who has been working tirelessly to protect and enhance Witham's environment, this is your chance to shine a spotlight on their efforts. Nominate them for the Environment Award before the deadline on Monday, 4th September 2023, by emailing admin@witham.gov.uk . 3. The Youth Award The future of Witham lies in the hands of its young residents, and the Youth Award is dedicated to recognising the remarkable achievements and contributions of local young individuals or organisations supporting the youth. Young people aged 21 or younger who have displayed exceptional leadership, community service, or creativity in making Witham a better place will be considered for this award. Similarly, organisations that work diligently to support and empower the youth are also eligible for nomination. Let's come together to celebrate the young heroes who inspire us all. Nominate deserving young individuals or organisations for the Youth Award by Monday, 4th September 2023, through the email address admin@witham.gov.uk . The Civic Service The Civic Service is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 22nd October 2023, at the United Reformed Church in Witham, starting at 2 pm. This event is a symbol of gratitude and unity as the Mayor, along with other community leaders, gathers to celebrate the accomplishments of the award winners and the impact of their work on the town. Local residents, community groups, and families are encouraged to attend and show their support for the award recipients. It will be an uplifting afternoon, reminding us all of the power of community and the positive change we can bring about together. How to Nominate Nominating someone for the Mayor of Witham's Civic Awards is simple. Prepare a compelling nomination letter that highlights the outstanding contributions and achievements of the individual or organisation. Be specific about the impact they have made on the community or the environment. The more detailed and heartfelt your nomination, the better the chances of your candidate being recognised. Submit your nominations via email to admin@witham.gov.uk no later than Monday, 4th September 2023. Each submission will be carefully reviewed, and the winners will be announced during the Civic Service on Sunday, 22nd October 2023. The Mayor of Witham's Civic Awards are an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the remarkable community heroes who make our town a better place. It's a chance to recognise and appreciate their dedication, hard work, and the positive impact they bring to our lives. So, if you know an organisation that tirelessly serves the community, an individual passionate about the environment, or a young person making a difference, don't miss the chance to nominate them for these prestigious awards. Join us on Sunday, 22nd October 2023, at the United Reformed Church in Witham, as we honour these exceptional individuals and groups during the Civic Service. Let's show our support and gratitude to the community heroes who make Witham shine brighter every day. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more compassionate, and sustainable Witham for generations to come. Previous Next

Finance Within this section of the website, you can find out everything you need to know about the Council's finances, including all statutory returns, budget and council tax information, and the Council's Annual Governance & Accountability returns. Annual Accountability & Governance Returns (AGAR) Precepts, Budgets & Accounts Internal Audits Payments Over £500 Procurement over £5,000 & Opportunities Local Government Transparency Code 2015