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Good design never grows old. _ ‘tA NEPTUNE Editor's letter o matter how old I get, the mere thought of August gives mea little pang of excitement — then I remember that I’m not eight anymore and it doesn’t mean I get the whole month off to spend at Walton Pier or Adventure Island in Southend (or Peter Pan’s Playground as it was known then). But while as an adult August can mean traffic jams and inflated flight prices rather than funfairs and fish and chips, it doesn’t mean we can’t still tap into that summer nostalgia. Close my eyes and I can just picture a family video of us on Clacton beach. It must have been freezing because the older generation are sat with blankets while myself, my sister and my cousins are toddling around on the beach in frilly swimsuits prodding jellyfish, dipping our toes in the icy sea and, of course, burying each other in the sand. Mr Gand I visited friends in Southend recently and it was wonderful to see penny slots flashing, ice creams being devoured and kids running around on the beach, bucket and spade in hand. These are my childhood memories, and it’s heart-warming to see that they’re so many other people’s memories too. It’s this sense of nostalgia for summers gone by that has inspired this issue. One of Essex’s most-prized natural assets has to be our coast. From the thrum of Southend to the wilderness of East Mersea, we Clacton beach —uncharacteristically quiet! sent writer Andrew Millham to uncover the best spots along our 350 miles of coastline. Come inland, and there are plenty of other summer wonders to discover too, from our joyous flower fields (page 36) and our delightful market towns (page 113) to our glorious glamping hotspots (page 120). And don’t forget our vineyards. I visited Bardfield Vineyard recently as part of an event organised by Visit Essex to celebrate our county’s food and drink producers, Not only did I get to try some of our region’s incredible wines (and feed the oyoydy490}S|/sabew| A385 :0}0Ud vineyard’s resident alpacas), but there was also talk of our region getting its own appellation. This means it would be a defined and protected area for growing Bacchus grapes. Pretty cool, hey? Whatever you do this summer, let’s approach it with all the vigour and enthusiasm of a child during the summer holidays! Hannah Gildart Editor, ui @ Essex Life Photo: ZUMA Press Inc / Alamy SOME OF THE AMAZING ESSEX FOLK WE’VE MET THIS MONTH... Denise Van Outen Basildon legend Denise talks us through her career highs and lows, celebrity fall-outs and why she loves being back in Essex. Page 26 a 2 = 5 a ro E i= irs] 3 6 z a Emma Spring + This inspiring charity ' CEO is onamission to help our nation’s food banks and support vulnerable families. Page 46 Dale Belbin Dale is a first-generation oysterman dedicated to keeping this tradition alive - he also tells us the best way to eat one! Page 60 2 8 8 g 3 8 ae = 3 a ft 2 a ao g 3 2 = Essex Life: August 2022 ¢ 9 Summer on the Essex coast By Andrew Millham The summer holidays have arrived, so grab your bucket and spade and tour our stunning seaside gems starting in the north from Harwich and down to Leigh-on-Sea. INSIDE August 2022 ¢ Established 1952 Flower power By Julie Lucas With a riot of colour, gorgeous scents and not to mention the great photo opportunities, flower farms are the place to be this summer. We bring you a selection to put on your must-visit list. Reflections of Colchester By Hannah Gildart Meet the man bringing history to life with his fascinating book celebrating the city of Colchester’s illustrious past and | exciting present. Essex Greats: Byrhtnoth By Stephen Roberts Immortalised in a famous Anglo-Saxon poem, a play by J.R.R. Tolkien and a statue at the end of Maldon Promenade, this Anglo- Saxon Ealdorman’s fame has lasted for centuries. 10 ¢ Essex Life: August 2022