Essex Tourist Guide Blog

Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many children have missed out on the opportunity to take part in educational visits over the past fourteen months. Learning outside the classroom however is a fantastic way to create rich, engaging experiences and bring the curriculum to life for young minds.

The Magic Mushroom Restaurant at Barleylands in Billericay, Essex was first opened on 27 May 1996 by Restaurateur Darren Bennett (pictured) and yesterday marked the 25 year anniversary of that day - now that's an achievement!

Last week, Perrywood Tiptree delivered 130 new fans to the wards at Colchester Hospital. These were purchased with money collected in tips by the Coffee Shop & Restaurant team. Every year, the team very kindly donate all their tips to charity.

Perrywood Garden Centre is supporting Suffolk based designer and author Lucy Hutchings with her edible allotment garden. It’s an exciting design that will be brought to life at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival in July.

As part of its sustainability drive, Perrywood Tiptree have worked with CambridgeHOK to install three brand new Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs). These will save an estimated 79 tonnes of CO_² emissions a year, which is the equivalent to the average yearly emissions of ten people in the UK.

Across Essex, we have seen more than ever the joy and therapeutic benefits that gardening can bring to people’s lives. Perrywood aims to get more people growing in 2021. They will be supporting two charities and a community interest company who use gardening to help vulnerable groups, including refugees, the unemployed, adults with mental health issues and children.

In spite of 2020 being a challenging year, Perrywood Tiptree has raised over £10,000 for its charities of the year. This year, they are Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity, Kids Inspire and Greenfingers Charity. The funds were raised throughout the year across a range of activities involving staff and customers.

South Essex train operator c2c has recognised the efforts its community has made during the coronavirus crisis with a Local Heroes awards scheme.

Nominate your local community hero

We’ve seen great community spirit over the last few months as people have gone above and beyond to help others out during the Coronavirus crisis, and c2c Rail would like to say thank you to those people, but they need your help.