< Back Engraving of Newland Street Engraving of the top end of Newland Street We have this engraving of Newland Street entitled 'Witham, Essex'.. The drawing is by W. Bartlett and the engraving by W Watkins. The drawing shows people milling about, a horse-drawn carriage and a person on a pony. It is set up by Avenue House, where the Memorial Gardens are. The engraving is featured on Witham historian Janet Gyford's website. You can find more information here: www.janetgyford.com Engraving of top of Newland Street with coach Engraving of top end of Newland Street, entitled ‘Witham, Essex’. ‘Drawn by G.B.Campion’ [George B Campion, 1796-1870, better known as a water colour painter, see DNB]. R…

< Back Chains of Office Witham Urban District Council Chains of Office Upstairs at the Town Hall, our Council Chamber is home to this piece of Witham Urban District Council history. Displayed in a glass-fronted wooden display box are the chains of office that were donated to WUDC by the directors of W. Pinkham and Son Limited in memory of their founder, William Pinkham. William Pinkham was the founder of W. Pinkham & Son Ltd, the renowned glove makers which were established in Witham. Having previously made the gloves in their home, in 1905 William Pinkham and his wife Rebecca set up in a property in Albert Road bought for the purpose of manufacturing gloves, before later building a factory in Witham in 1912. William Pinkham was a Witham Urban District Councillor from 1912-1932 and was chairman of the Council from 1930-1932. William passed away in 1938. The links of the chain are engraved with the names and terms of chairmen of WUDC from 1955 until it's dissolution in 1974. One or two of these names may be familiar to Witham residents as they have roads or buildings names after them. Also included in the display box is a matching pin for the Vice-Chairman of the Council.

< Back Local Election Flyer Witham Urban District Council Election 1926 Candidate Flyer This Witham Urban District Council election flyer is for the election in 1926. Unusually for us, who are used to our elections being held on a Thursday, this was held on a Saturday on 27th March. It was held in the National Schools, in Guithavon Street, which stood where Newlands Drive Car Park is now. The recipients of this leaflet is identified on the front as Mr and Mrs Allshorn who resided at 61 Newland Street, now the Town Hall. Mr Alfred Samuel Allshorn was the manager of Barclays Bank at 61 Newland Street from 1922-1930. Barclays moved out of the building in 1939. The candidate courting the vote of Mr & Mrs Allshorn was Ebenezer Smith. Mr Smith had first been elected to Witham Urban District Council in 1920 and was here seeking re-election. Mr Smith moved to Witham in 1900 and worked on the railways as a signalman from 1910. Among his many accomplishments, Mr Smith was a first aider and ambulanceman, a Justice of the Peace and a preacher. Ebenezer Smith was elected Chairman of Witham Urban District Council in 1933, serving until 1935. His picture can be found in the stairwell of the Town Hall, along with other former chairmen of Witham Urban District Council. Upon his death in 1946, aged 74, a new road on the Church Street development was named in his honour, Ebenezer Close. More details can be found on Janet Gyford's website: https://www.janetgyford.com/people/ebenezer-smith/

< Back Chairman's Medal WUDC Chairman's Medal in Case This medal was presented to William Marsh, former chair of Witham Urban District Council. The bar at the top shows it to be for past chairmen, and two pins have been added to show the dates that Mr Marsh served as Chairman on the Council, 1971-72 and 1972-73. The picture in the centre of the medal shows a factory, a house , fields and trees alongside a river. This matches both the serving chairman and vice chairman medals on display with the chains of office in our Council Chamber and featured in an earlier entry. Witham Urban District Council was dissolved in 1974 when Braintree District Council was set up.

< Back School Football Cup Witham Secondary School House Football Cup This appears to be a silver cup, which is engraved "In Memory of George Pennell presented by his father" The cup was presented from 1949 to 1959 to various school houses named after saints. We have no record of who George Pennell may have been, or what happened to him. His name does not appear on the War memorial, nor in our records of burials in the closed churchyard in Lockram Lane. If you are able to help us shed any light on who George Pennell was, please get in touch.

< Back Crittall Windows Factory 'C' The orange 'C' from the front of the building Many will remember the Crittall Windows factory in Braintree Road that stood where Morrison's now stands. It's name was emblazoned on the front of the building in these orange letters. The factory was built around 1919, trading in Witham until the factory closed in 1990. Over the years, the Crittall factory was an integral part of the town. It was used for war production during World War II, and was bombed, although thankfully there were no injuries and little damage. The building was demolished in 1992, but town historian Janet Gyford rescued many items from the building before the site was cleared. Witham Town Council are lucky to have these items in our archives and will be including them in this online museum. Crittall Windows later returned to Witham and continue to trade from the Freebournes Industrial Estate.

< Back HMS Chelmer Plaque Heavy metal plaque As you can read from the photograph, this plaque was presented to HMS Chelmer to her adoption by the inhabitants of Witham, Silver End, Rivenhall, Hatfield Peverel, Terling, Faulkbourne and White Notley during Warship Week in March 1942. Warship Week was a National Savings campaign that took place during the Second World War, the aim being that communities would raise funds to pay for repairs to a ship that they would then 'adopt', along with their crew. Larger towns and cities were set larger targets and would adopt larger ships, whereas smaller towns and communities would have a lower target and adopt the smaller ships. HMS Chelmer (K221) was a River Class Frigate, built in 1942 and launched on 27th March 1943. HMS Chelmer performed convoy defence exercises in the North Atlantic during World War II, and was one of 151 frigates launched over a 3 year period to be used as anti-submarine convoy escorts and named after rivers in the UK. She was scrapped in 1957.

Braintree District Councillors Witham residents are represented at Braintree District Council by the following District Councillors Witham North: Cllr Billy Taylor cllr.b.taylor@braintree.gov.uk Cllr Ethan Williams cllr.e.williams@braintree.gov.uk Witham Central: Cllr Sindhu Rajeev cllr.s.rajeev@braintree.gov.uk Cllr Toby Williams cllr.t.williams@braintree.gov.uk Witham West: Cllr John Hayes cllr.j.hayes@braintree.gov.uk Cllr Ron Ramage cllr.r.ramage@braintree.gov.uk Witham South: Cllr Paul Heath cllr.p.heath@braintree.gov.uk Cllr Jackie Martin cllr.j.martin@braintree.gov.uk Details of your Braintree District Councillors Essex County Councillors Witham residents are represented at Essex County Council by the following County Councillors WITHAM TOWN Cllr Ross Playle Cllr.ross.playle@essex.gov.uk WITHAM WEST & RURAL Cllr John Morris cllr.john.morris@essex.gov.uk Details of your Essex County Councillors

Witham Town Councillors Which ward am I in? Cllr Paul Heath Town Mayor Chair of Policy & Resources Committee Chair of Estimates Committee Vice Chair of Community Committee Vice Chair of Estimates Committee South Ward Email cllr.p.heath@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 1991-2015, 2022- Committees Community Committee Policy & Resources Committee Staffing Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees Open Spaces Management Advisory Groups S106 Steering Group The Voice Editing Panel External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Jack Coleman Deputy Town Mayor Chair of Community Committee Vice Chair of Estimates Committee West Ward Email cllr.jack.coleman@witham. gov.uk Terms of Office 2023- Committees Community Committee Environment Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group S106 Steering Group Improving Healthcare Facilities Working Group External Appointments LGBTQ+ Ambassador Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Emmanuel Adeleja Hatfield Ward Email cllr.e.adelaja@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2023- Committees Community Committee Planning & Transport Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Committees None External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Lucy Barlow Hatfield Ward Email cllr.l.barlow@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2007-2015, 2023- Committees Community Committee Policy & Resources Committee Staffing Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Committees Section 106 Steering Group External Appointments Citizens Advice LGBTQ+ Ambassador Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Phil Barlow Chair of Staffing Committee Chair of Planning & Transport Committee Vice Chair of Policy & Resources Committee North Ward Email cllr.p.barlow@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 1989 - Committees Policy & Resources Committee Planning & Transport Committee Staffing Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group S106 Steering Group Finance Scrutiny Panel Improving Healthcare Facilities Working Group Allotment Appeals Panel External Appointments Witham Carnival Association Chamber of Commerce Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Joan Coleman Vice Chair of Environment Committee South Ward Email cllr.joan.coleman@witham. gov.uk Terms of Office 2023 - Committees Environment Committee Planning & Transport Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees Open Spaces Management Advisory Groups Improving Healthcare Facilities Working Group Allotment Appeals Panel External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Barry Fleet Central Ward Email cllr.b.fleet@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 1987-2015, 2023- Committees Environment Committee Community Committee Policy & Resources Committee Staffing Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees Open Spaces Management Advisory Committees Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group S106 Steering Group Finance Scrutiny Panel The Voice Editing Panel Allotment Appeals Panel External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr John Goodman South Ward Email cllr.j.goodman@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2008-2023, 2025- Committees Environment Committee Policy & Resources Committee Sub Committees Open Spaces Management Sub Committee Advisory Committees Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Improving Healthcare Facilities Working Group The Voice Editing Panel Finance Scrutiny Panel External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Leonora Headley North Ward Email cllr.l.headley@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2023- Committees Community Committee Environment Committee Planning & Transport Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group S106 Steering Group Improving Healthcare Facilities Working Group External Appointments Passenger Transport Panel Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Jacqueline Martin Vice Chair of Staffing Committee South Ward Email cllr.j.martin@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 1992-2007, 2023- Committees Environment Committee Policy & Resources Committee Staffing Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups None External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Ross Playle Central Ward Email cllr.r.playle@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2023- Committees Community Committee Policy & Resources Committee Planning & Transport Committee Staffing Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Committees S106 Steering Group Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group The Voice Editing Panel External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Ron Ramage West Ward Email cllr.r.ramage@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2015-2019, 2023- Committees Policy & Resources Committee Planning & Transport Committee Sub Committees Open Spaces Management Advisory Groups Improving Healthcare Facilities Working Group External Appointments Chamber of Commerce Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Jack Robertson Chair of Environment Committee Vice Chair of Planning & Transport Committee West Ward Email cllr.j.robertson@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2024- Committees Community Committee Environment Committee Policy & Resources Committee Planning & Transport Committee Estimates Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups None External Appointments Braintree Association of Local Councils Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Artur Sloma West Ward Email cllr.a.sloma@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2023- Committees Community Committee Environment Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups None External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Billy Taylor North Ward Email cllr.b.taylor@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2023- Committees Environment Committee Policy & Resources Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups S106 Steering Group Improving Healthcare Facilities Working Group External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Cllr Ethan Williams North Ward Email cllr.e.williams@witham.gov.uk Terms of Office 2023- Committees Community Committee Environment Committee Planning & Transport Committee Sub Committees None Advisory Groups None External Appointments None Register of Interests-PDF Record of Attendance Members Allowance

Procurement Information Witham Town Council has a duty to comply with The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 which requires councils to publish information about any contract, commissioned activity, purchase order, framework agreement or any other legally enforceable agreement with a value that exceeds £5,000. 2025-2026 PDF 2024-2025 PDF 2023-2024 PDF 2022-2023 PDF 2021-2022 PDF 2020-2021 PDF Procurement Opportunities There are currently no open procurement opportunities The following procurement opportunities have expired: Previous Procurement Opportunities WITHAM TOWN COUNCIL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Witham Town Council invited tenders for the supply, installation, removal, and storage of Christmas lights for a five-year period, with a total contract value not exceeding £65,000. The successful contractor will provide a complete service to ensure the town's festive lighting is installed in time for the Christmas Market (22nd November 2025), maintained during the season, removed in January, and stored securely for the following year. The d eadline for receipt of bid queries was 23rd July 2025, queries were to be sent to townclerk@witham.gov.uk marked Christmas Light Tender 2025. Bid return date was noon on 1st August 2025. Tenders were to be submitted electronically to: tenders@witham.gov.uk and marked "Christmas Lights 2025 Tender" in the subject line. Alternatively, tenders may be posted to Witham Town Council, Town Hall, 61 Newland Street, Witham, Essex, CM8 2FE. The envelope shall be marked Christmas Lights 2025 Tender and shall not otherwise be marked or contain information that could identify the tendering organisation. All companies submitting a tender will be notified by email of the respective decision within 6 weeks of the evaluation date. In accordance with Government Regulations, the total value of the successful tender will be published in due course. Full details of Christmas Lights Tender WITHAM TOWN COUNCIL SAFER STREETS CCTV EXPANSION PROJECT Witham Town Council tendered for the procurement of multiple quick-deploy cameras to be installed in various key areas in and around the town centre. These units had to be capable of connecting to lighting columns or physical structures and must be easily removable and deployed into new locations when required. Alongside the new CCTV cameras, the existing CCTV server located within the Witham Town Council offices required upgrading with a modern enterprise-style equivalent. This unit previously captured the incoming video signals from the town centre CCTV cameras. The Invitation to Bid document contained detailed information on this project. Applications had to be made using the Tender Submission Documents included in the Invitation to Bid. All Bids were to be submitted (electronic and hard copies) to the Town Clerk by noon on 6th September 2023. Full details of CCTV Expansion Tender

Witham Town Council Staff Witham Town Council is staffed by a team of 15 dedicated staff, headed by the Town Clerk To contact any member of staff, please contact the Town Hall on 01376 520627 Nikki Smith Town Clerk Responsible Financial Officer townclerk@witham.gov.uk Nikki joined Witham Town Council in May 2019 as Assistant Responsible Financial Officer, becoming Deputy Town Clerk in June 2020. In early 2022, Nikki was appointed as Town Clerk and Proper Officer and is responsible for overseeing all council matters, developing strategy across all council activity and managing the council’s staff. Nikki is also the Responsible Financial Officer with responsibility for the management of the council’s finances as well as Data Protection Officer. Nikki obtained the Certificate of Local Council Administration (CiLCA) qualification in 2020, the Certificate of Higher Education in Community Governance with merit in 2023 and a Foundation Degree in Community Governance in January 2025. Hayley Andrews Deputy Town Clerk deputytownclerk@witham.gov.uk Hayley joined the Town Council in 2019 as Assistant Proper Officer and was promoted to Deputy Town Clerk. Hayley is responsible for the Council’s outside assets which includes overseeing the River Walk, Whetmead Nature Reserve, James Cooke Wood and the Closed Churchyard and supporting the Operations Team. Hayley has also managed the allotments in Witham since June 2021 when Witham Town Council took over ownership of the site in Cut Throat Lane. Other duties include being the clerk for the Environment Committee and several different working groups relating to open spaces, town centre regeneration, climate change and healthcare, as well as running the Essex County Council Highways Devolution Scheme. Hayley obtained the Certificate of Local Council Administration (CiLCA) qualification in 2020. Sarah Puckey Open Spaces Administration Assistant openspacesadmin@witham.gov.uk Sarah joined Witham Town Council in January 2023 as the Open Spaces Administration Assistant. Sarah is responsible for the day to day running of the allotments and supports the Deputy Town Clerk in the management of Witham’s Open Spaces. Additionally, Sarah promotes initiatives to counter-act the effects of Climate Change in Witham including encouraging greater use of existing recycling schemes. Since joining the council Sarah has gained her ILCA qualification (Introduction to Local Council Administration). Finance Assistant finance@witham.gov.uk Nadia Zaviazun Nadia joined Witham Town Council in May 2025 as the Finance Assistant. Since joining the council Nadia has gained her ILCA (Introduction to Local Council Administration) and FILCA (Financial Introduction to Local Council Administration) qualifications. Geraldine Kennedy Planning & Democratic Officer comsec@witham.gov.uk Geraldine is the longest serving member of staff, originally employed as a Committee Clerk before becoming Assistant Clerk. Geraldine is now our Planning and Democratic Officer and is responsible for preparing the minutes and agenda’s for the standing committees as well as dealing with all matters related to planning. Julie Furse Information Centre Manager infocentre@witham.gov.uk Julie joined Witham Town Council as Community Officer in November 2018 in a role that combined organising events with working in the Information Centre. Julie took over as Information Centre Manager in June 2019 and has since overseen the refurbishment of the Information Centre into a welcoming, modern Centre. Julie’s other duties include maintenance of the website and our social media accounts. Simon Jesse Simon joined Witham Town Council in 2026 as a our Facilities & Community Support Officer. Simon is responsible for supporting community projects and the upkeep of the Town Hall and the new Community Centre. Simon is currently working towards his ILCA qualitfication. Facilities & Community Support Officer communitysupport@witham.gov.uk Viktoriia Goldspink Events Co-ordinator events@witham.gov.uk Viktoriia joined Witham Town Council in January 2022 as our Events Co-ordinator. Viktoriia gained her ILCA qualification in September 2022. Viktoriia has responsibility for organising Witham Town Council events such as our Halloween and Easter Trails, Christmas Fayre and Witham Street Entertainment Festival P.A to the Council admin@witham.gov.uk Jackie Brown Jackie joined Witham Town Council in June 2025 as our PA to the Council. Organising the Mayor's diary and assisting with Council meetings and events. She is working towards her ILCA qualification (Introduction to Local Council Administration). Spencer Dyer Operations Manager operations@witham.gov.uk Spencer joined Witham Town Council in July 2012, becoming manager of the Operations Team in early 2019. As manager, Spencer is responsible for implementing the River Walk Management Plan, as well as coordinating the maintenance of James Cooke Wood, Whetmead Nature Reserve, the Closed Churchyard and Cut Throat Lane Allotments. Hannah Smith Operative Operations Team Hannah joined our Operations Team in 2019 to look after and maintain the assets managed by Witham Town Council, including the River Walk, Whetmead Nature Reserve, James Cooke Wood, Cut Throat Lane Allotments and the Closed Churchyard. Rob Moore Operative Operations Team Rob joined our Operations Team in 2022 to look after and maintain the assets managed by Witham Town Council, including the River Walk, Whetmead Nature Reserve, James Cooke Wood, Cut Throat Lane Allotments and the Closed Churchyard. Katrina Drury Operative Operations Team Kat joined Witham Town Council in 2010 as a cleaner/caretaker. In 2019, she joined our Operations Team, working to look after and maintain the assets managed by Witham Town Council, including the River Walk, Whetmead Nature Reserve, James Cooke Wood, Cut Throat Lane Allotments and the Closed Churchyard. Paul Wiseman Street Warden streetwarden@witham.gov.uk Paul joined Witham Town Council in 2023 as our Street Warden and is responsible for maintaining and facilitating community safety by being a visible presence in the town. Paul has gained the Community Safety Scheme Accreditation since joining the Council.

Witham Town Council Witham Town Council is a statutory, local authority that consists of sixteen elected representatives, sitting for a four year term. The Council operates a system of standing and non-standing committees that manage local matters including management of local assets, promotion of community events, local outreach with key organisations and working closely with Essex Police on crime prevention and local safety. Local citizens can raise any concerns about an issue with their local councillors (see the Witham Town Councillors section for details of your representative), however it is important to note that different councils deal with different matters. Explore our website to learn more about what role the Town Council plays in the local community and how you can get involved. Witham Town Councillors Mayor of Witham Witham Town Council Staff Committee Structure PDF Which ward am I in? Petitions Freedom of Witham Annual Town Meeting History of the Town Hall District & County Councillors Elections Become a Town Councillor Committe structure Our Accreditations