Don't miss your chance to attend our Spooktacular Trail < Back Halloween Spooktacular - Cats & Bats 27 Sept 2023 Don't miss your chance to attend our Spooktacular Trail Get ready to embark on a spine-tingling adventure this Halloween season! Witham is gearing up to host a one-of-a-kind event that promises to bewitch and enchant visitors of all ages. The Witham Spooktacular Trail, aptly named "Cats and Bats," invites you to explore a mystical world where cats, bats, and delightful treats await at every twist and turn. This enchanting trail combines the natural beauty of the river walk with the allure of Halloween's most iconic creatures – cats and bats. But that's not all; the Spooktacular Trail goes above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable experience. With entertainment on hand, this event is a perfect outing for families with young children that are lovers of spooky fun. In this blog post, we'll delve into the fascinating world of Witham's Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats, giving you a sneak peek into what you can expect and why this event is a must-visit this Halloween season. So, grab your broomsticks, don your witch's hat, and let's embark on this thrilling journey together! The Spooktacular Trail – A Riverside Adventure As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to turn, Witham's River Walk transforms into a magical setting for the Spooktacular Trail. The picturesque riverbank provides the ideal backdrop for an adventure filled with wonder and surprises. River Walk Magic Witham's River Walk is a beloved local gem, known for its serene beauty and calming atmosphere. The crisp air and rustling leaves create an enchanting ambiance that sets the stage for an unforgettable Halloween experience. Cats and Bats – The Stars of the Show At the heart of this year’s Spooktacular Trail are the cats and bats. These iconic Halloween creatures are hidden throughout the trail for you to find. From whimsical cat and bats to spooky surroundings, you will have so much fun at our Spooktacular Trail! Entertainment for All Ages The Witham Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats isn't just about a scenic walk and collecting treats; it's also a celebration of community and creativity. Throughout the event, you'll find an array of fun things that cater to visitors of all ages. Halloween Costume Contest Don't forget to dress up in your most enchanting costumes! The Spooktacular Trail this year will host a costume contest that encourages visitors of all ages to show off their creativity. Whether you're a witch, wizard, vampire, or ghost, there's a chance to win exciting prizes for best costume. With one prize per age category, we are inviting entries for 0-3 years, 4-7 years and 8+ years. Date and Time The Witham Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats will take place on October 28th from 10am to 4pm. Ticket Information You must have a ticket to attend this event, but tickets are free and are being released in two stages: Tuesday 3rd October at 11am and Thursday 5th October at 7pm. Tickets are only required for participating children. Adults do not need a ticket. Early booking is recommended, as this enchanting experience is a hot ticket in town! Embrace the Magic of Cats and Bats In the heart of Witham, a bewitching adventure awaits you this Halloween season. The Witham Spooktacular Trail: Cats and Bats promises an unforgettable experience filled with enchantment, mystery, and community spirit. As you wander along the River Walk, surrounded by the natural beauty of the riverbank and the captivating presence of cats and bats, you'll feel a sense of wonder and excitement that's perfect for the Halloween season. The entertainment and costume contest add layers of fun for families. So, mark your calendar for October 28th and prepare to embrace the magic of the Cats and Bats Spooktacular Trail. Whether you're a local resident or visiting from afar, this event promises to be a highlight of your Halloween celebrations. Don't miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world where cats, bats, treats and Halloween excitement! 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 WTC Grant 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 Councillor Grant Project Review report PDF

< Back Ivy Chimneys Report An Interim Report Ivy Chimneys is an Iron Age settlement on Hatfield Road, Witham, which was excavated in the early 1970's. We have an Interim Report by Robin Turner, signed and addressed to Hazel Martingell (?). This is subtitled Occasional Paper No 2, published by Essex County Council in 1982. It covers the items found during the excavation and attributes them to each of the 7 phases in inhabitants of Ivy Chimneys, from Early Iron Age through to Post Roman.

< Back Collection of Greetings Telegrams Collection of five telegrams addressed to members of the Croxall family As part of a bigger donation, we have this collection of five GPO Greetings telegrams sent to various members of the Croxall family. The Croxalls were a prominent family in Witham, with daughter Lucy becoming Head Teacher of Bramston Secondary School. More information on the family can be found on Janet Gyford's website using this link: https://www.janetgyford.com/people/croxall-family/ Greetings telegrams were introduced by the GPO (the Post Office) in July 1935. In the days before telephones were commonplace, telegrams were used to pass on news in a hurry and were often used to notify of the death of a loved one. To improve the image of telegrams, the GPO introduced the Greetings Telegram, running the scheme until 1982. This collection of telegrams are in their original gold envelopes and are dated in the late 1930's. They have been sent from Chelmsford, Epping and Epworth

< 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/

Witham Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings < Back D-Day 80th Anniversary 6 Jun 2024 Witham Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings On Thursday 6th June 2024, Witham Town Council held a parade, service and beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The Parade, which was led by the Caledonian Pipe Band, consisted of a variety of dignitaries, uniformed organisations and members of the public. It set off from The Avenue and finished at The River Walk, by Chipping Hill Bridge. There was a short service which included readings of testimonies of those who took part in the landings, which was led by The Mayor of Witham, Reverend Michael Child, Reverend Jonathan Pritchard, members of the Royal British Legion, 295 (Witham & Rivenhall) Sqn RAFAC and the Witham BB. The ceremonial beacon was lit at 9:15pm by the Deputy Lieutenant, Lt. Col. (Rtd) Jackie Allan QVRM TD. The Parade and Service was also attended by 101-year-old veteran, Arthur ‘Nobby’ Clark, who served during the D-Day landings and was part of a four-man crew of landing craft operators. The crowd of over 1,000 people spontaneously applauded Nobby. The Town Council would like to thank Arthur and his family for attending. The Town Council would also like to thank everyone who took part with a special thanks to the fifty 295 (Witham & Rivenhall) Sqn RAFAC cadets who marched as on the 5th June 1944, the night before the D-Day invasions, twenty-one aircraft from 295 Squadron stationed at Rivenhall Airfield, with aircraft from 570 Squadron dropped the first troops to lead the invasion force into Normandy. Previous Next

Policies and Documents Policies Local Councils are required by law to publish their policies online. Within this policy section, you can find out information on a broad range of matters including handling financial matters, tendering procedures, internal governance and appointment matters and statutory functions. Policies are regularly reviewed and amended by the Council's various committees. For further details concerning committee remits on policy, see the Council's Scheme of Delegation. If you can't find what you're looking for, it may be elsewhere on our website. If you would like further advice concerning Town Council policy or require policies in alternative formats including braille, please contact any member of staff who will be happy to assist you with your enquiries. Corporate Governance - The following policies are PDF documents that open in a new window Anonymous Communications Policy PDF Body Worn Cameras PolicyPDF CCTV Policy PDF Code of Conduct PDF Co-option Policy PDF Data & Document Retention Policy PDF Dignity at Work Policy PDF Environmental Policy PDF Equality Policy PDF External Suppliers Policy PDF Fire Safety Policy PDF Freedom of Information Policy PDF Health and Safety Policy PDF IT and Email Policy PDF Meeting Attendance Policy PDF Memorial Testing Policy PDF Menopause Policy PDF Officer, Member Relations Policy PDF Pay Policy Statement PDF Petitions Policy PDF Press & Media Policy PDF Privacy Notice PDF Public Complaints Policy PDF Publication Scheme PDF Registration of Gifts Policy PDF Risk Management Policy PDF Safeguarding Policy PDF Scheme of Delegation PDF Sexual Harassment Policy PDF Social Media Policy PDF Staff Code of Conduct PDF Standing Orders PDF Strategic Plan PDF Training Policy PDF UK GDPR Policy PDF VDU Policy PDF Whistle Blowing Policy PDF Equal/fire/foi Anon comm/body worn/CCTV Conduct/co option/train rec data ret/dignity/env H&S/mtg att/meno Press/privacy/pub complaints pub scheme/reg of gifts/safeguarding delegation/harassment/social media staff conduct/standing/training relations/pay policy/petitions strat plan/vdu/whistle freedom/grant/hire Allotment/biodivers/comm items Services & Community - The following policies are PDF documents that open in a new window Allotment Policy PDF Biodiversity Policy PDF Commemorative Items Policy PDF Community Statement PDF Councillor Grant Scheme PDF Crime and Disorder Policy PDF Freedom of Witham Policy PDF Grant Awards Policy PDF Hire of Open Spaces Policy PDF Keeping Chickens on Allotments Policy PDF Members Allowance Policy PDF Public Artefact Donation Scheme PDF River Walk Management Plan PDF Scattering of Ashes Policy PDF Snow Clearance Policy PDF Town Plan PDF Vexatious Complaints Policy PDF comm stmt/cllr grant/crime mem all/PADS/RW mgt ashes/snow/town plan vex complaints Finance - The following polices are PDF documents that open in a new window Employer's Discretions Policy PDF Extended Procurement Policy PDF Financial Regulations PDF Fixed Asset & Asset Valuation Policy PDF Reserves Policy PDF Treasury & Investment Policy PDF FInance Other Documents The following documents are PDF documents that open in a new window. Employer's Discretions Policy Council Training Record PDF Extended Procurement Policy GDPR Data Map PDF Financial Regulations Witham Corporate Strategy PDF

Popular Dog Show returns in 2024 < Back Witham Dog Show 2024 1 Jul 2024 Popular Dog Show returns in 2024 Witham Town Council is delighted to announce the successful return of the much-loved Witham Town Council Dog Show, held on Saturday, 29th June 2024. The event took place along Witham's River Walk from 10am to 3pm, offering a day full of fun and excitement for dogs and their owners alike. The Dog Show featured a variety of dog-related stalls, providing everything from pet accessories to essential care items. Human attendees also enjoyed a selection of delicious food and drink stalls, ensuring that everyone had a wonderful day out. There was also a fly ball and dog agility circuit, which attendees could take part in with their dogs. At the heart of the event were the dog show categories, where dogs could be entered to compete in various fun and entertaining contests with an opportunity to win a rosette and a prize donated by the judge. The categories included: · Precious Puppy · Best Trick · Best Rescue · Fastest Recall · Dog The Judge Would Most Like To Take Home · Waggiest Tail · Best Paw Shaker · Best Junior Handler · Looks Most Like The Owner · Cutest Eyes Each category showcased the unique talents and charming personalities of the participating dogs. Witham Town Council extends its thanks to all the participants, volunteers, and local businesses that contributed to making this event a memorable success, as well as a special thanks to its sponsor, Holmes & Hills Solicitors. For more information about the Witham Town Council Dog Show or future events, please contact: Witham Town Council Email: events@witham.gov.uk Previous Next

Witham Town Council Proudly Participates in Braintree’s First Ever Pride Event < Back Pride 2024 10 Aug 2024 Witham Town Council Proudly Participates in Braintree’s First Ever Pride Event Witham Town Council is proud to announce its participation in Braintree’s inaugural Pride event, held on Saturday, 10th August 2024, at Weavers Park. This landmark event was organised by the Salvation Army Housing Association, Braintree Foyer and marked a significant celebration of diversity, inclusion, and community spirit in the Braintree district. Witham Town Council was thrilled to join to show its support for the LGBTQ+ community. At the event, the Council engaged with attendees and shared information about its services and upcoming events in Witham. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community, listen to their needs, and discuss how the Council can continue to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents. Witham Town Council would like to extend its thanks to the Braintree Foyer for organising this meaningful event and for their commitment to promoting inclusivity in our region. The Council is proud to have been part of such a significant day and looks forward to supporting similar events in the future. Events like Braintree Pride are essential in bringing communities together, fostering understanding, and creating a space where everyone feels valued and respected. Witham Town Council is committed to continuing its support for the LGBTQ+ community and ensuring that Witham remains a place where diversity is celebrated. Previous Next

Waggy tails on the River Walk < Back Witham Dog Show 2026 4 May 2026 Waggy tails on the River Walk Witham Town Council was delighted to welcome residents, visitors and their four-legged friends to the Witham Dog Show on Saturday 2nd May 2026 at the River Walk. The event brought together the local community for a fun and lively day celebrating dogs, local organisations and community spirit. This year’s show featured a range of stalls, dog activities and entertainment throughout the day. Visitors also enjoyed seeing Essex Police in attendance, a display from Ramsden Flyball Team and agility activities which proved popular with dogs and owners alike. For many, the main attraction was the dog show classes, with entries across a wide range of categories. These included Shiniest Coat, Dog the Judge Would Most Like to Take Home, Golden Oldie (8 years plus), Cutest Puppy (under 12 months), Cleverest Dog, Best Rescue, Best Fancy Dress, Handsome Crossbreed, Friendliest Dog and Fabulous Family (2 + 4 legs). Thank you to all the local businesses that sponsored or judged a category; there were many worthy winners. The Town Council also ran a stall during the event, where visitors could collect free seeds as part of the Mayor’s Sunflower Growing Competition. This added an extra community element to the day and gave families another way to get involved. Don’t forget to send in photos of your sunflowers to admin@witham.gov.uk by 30 th August 2026. Witham Town Council was pleased to support two very worthwhile charities through this year’s event: Essex Wildlife Trust and Guide Dogs. All competition entry money, together with donations to the agility course, will be split between the two charities. Witham Town Council would like to thank everyone who attended, took part or supported the charities. The sunny weather, strong turnout and friendly atmosphere helped make the 2026 Dog Show a very enjoyable day for all. “The Dog Show is a lovely reminder of what makes Witham special, a strong sense of community, brilliant local organisations and residents who are keen to get involved,” said a Witham Town Council spokesperson. “We would like to thank everyone who joined us on the day, and we look forward to welcoming people back for Witham Open Gardens on Saturday June 20th.” Previous Next

Christmas Fayre is a Resounding Success! < Back Witham Christmas Fayre 4 Dec 2023 Christmas Fayre is a Resounding Success! Witham Town Council is delighted to announce the resounding success of the Witham Christmas Fayre 2023 that took place on Saturday, 2nd December. This year saw an increase in the size of the event with stalls along Newland Street, within the United Reformed Church, and both the Newlands and Grove Shopping Centre. The festivities commenced with a traditional Church Carol Service held in the Grove Shopping Centre at 2pm, setting the stage for the afternoon. The event reached its pinnacle with the Christmas light switch-on at 6pm. The Witham Christmas Fayre showcased an array of stalls offering unique and locally crafted goods, alongside a selection of festive food and drink. The main stage featured live performers, while the 'Crafters' Corner' within the United Reformed Church provided a haven for those seeking one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. Many local shops and businesses chose to stay open late to capitalise on the increased footfall in the town which also contributed to the atmosphere of this event. Some families had the opportunity to meet Santa Claus in his Grotto in the Town Hall and receive a special gift while the Grove Shopping Centre played host to live reindeer, Blitzen and Steve. Witham Town Council would like to express its sincere gratitude to all who attended and participated in the Witham Christmas Fayre 2023 and to its sponsors, Holmes & Hills Solicitors and the Grove Shopping Centre. Our thanks also go to the Witham Community Hub for providing the PA system for the Carol Service. Councillor Phil Barlow, Leader of Witham Town Council said “Witham Town Council has held several Christmas events, such as the Dickensian and Cockney Market but we feel that this has been our most successful to date. By working with local businesses to include a larger area than last year we have been able to ensure the whole of the town centre benefit from the Christmas Fayre. We look forward to continuing this free event next year for the residents of Witham”. Photographs provided by Actual Radio Previous Next

Witham Town Council Celebrates the Success of the 'Witham Teddy Bears' Picnic' < Back Witham's Teddy Bear's Picnic 2024 9 Aug 2024 Witham Town Council Celebrates the Success of the 'Witham Teddy Bears' Picnic' Witham Town Council is delighted to announce the resounding success of the 'Witham Teddy Bears' Picnic,' that took place on Friday, 9th August, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on the Witham River Walk. This free event brought together families and friends from across the community for an afternoon of fun-filled activities. Attendees were encouraged to bring their own picnic and, of course, their favourite teddy bear, to enjoy an afternoon full of entertainment and creative activities. Upon arrival, each child could collect a free activity pack and had the opportunity to visit the 'Teddy Bear Adoption Station.' Here, they could choose a cuddly new friend to take home, thanks to the generous donations from the Witham community. The Town Council extends its thanks to everyone who donated. The event featured a variety of activities that kept both children and their teddy bears entertained, including a children's entertainer, craft station where you could make Minions and Unicorns, colouring station, 'Hunt the Teddy Bears' game and even Paddington Bear! As well as this, there was an ice cream van on site. Witham Town Council would like to thank everyone who attended the Teddy Bears' Picnic and contributed to its success. We hope all participants had a fantastic time. Our next event is ‘Music on the Brain’ and is being held on Saturday 24th August from 3.00-10.00pm along the River Walk by Chipping Hill Bridge. Come along and listen to live music and enjoy some food from one of our vendors or visit our licensed bars. We will have children’s rides and bouncy castles and they can meet the Sparkle Meetings Princesses. This event is free to attend (a fee is payable for the children’s rides and bouncy castles) and no booking is necessary, we look forward to seeing you there. Previous Next