Cllrs Ault and Staines

12/06/2026

Panfield Summer Fete - fun this Saturday 12 noon 'till 4pm !
Thx for sharing Visit Braintree District !
❤️3 Fields

PANFIELD SUMMER FETE

Panfield's summer fete is this weekend on Saturday 13 June! Taking place on the The Bell field with stalls from local businesses from 12pm to 4pm.

The day will feature:
A dog show
Rock choir
Grosvenor School of Dance
Trials Bike Display Team
Egg throwing championship
Childrens races
Vintage cars
Prize raffle
and more displays and activities!

Then The Bell Inn will be providing a Hog Roast and live music for the evening.

Money is being raised for:
Panfield Community Association, Panfield Bell Football Clubhouse and Happy Hill.

37 Kynaston Rd, Panfield, Braintree, CM7 5AQ

08/06/2026

What kind of place do you want to leave behind for your family and community?

Every bottle, coffee cup, takeaway bag, and cigarette end thrown from a vehicle has consequences. It doesn't simply disappear—it ends up in a hedge, a field, a stream, or an animal's habitat.

Then someone else has to clean it up.

Take a look around.

The stunning countryside.The wildlife.The villages.The roads we all share.

These places belong to all of us, and protecting them is a shared responsibility.

If you've ever considered tossing rubbish from your vehicle, make a different choice today.

Keep it in the car and dispose of it properly when you reach your destination or get home.

Take responsibility for your waste and help protect the places we all value.

Our countryside, villages, and towns deserve better.

And the change starts now, Please !

08/06/2026

🚧 ROAD REPAIRS – POSITIVE NEWS FOR OUR COMMUNITY 🚧

On Sunday, Essex County Councillor Carl Johnson and I spent time visiting a number of potholes and road defects that have blighted our local roads for years.

As many residents know, as Independent Councillors we have repeatedly reported, chased and raised concerns about these issues with previous Essex County Councillors, often with little progress being made.

I am therefore pleased to report that we have now received a commitment from our new Reform Essex County Councillor, Cllr Carl Johnson, that the potholes we visited have been identified for repair using emergency funding and are expected to be fixed within the next 90 days.

This is welcome news for residents, motorists, cyclists and everyone who relies on our rural roads every day.

After years of frustration, it is encouraging to finally see a commitment to action. We will, of course, continue to monitor progress and ensure these commitments are delivered.

Safer roads, better roads and a road network that is fit for purpose should be a priority for everyone.

Thank you to all the residents who continue to report issues and support our efforts.

🤞 Fingers crossed — we now look forward to seeing the repairs completed over the coming weeks.

Cllr Mark Ault
Independent District Councillor
Three Fields Ward

08/06/2026

In a world where so many village shops have disappeared, we are incredibly fortunate to have our local Budgens serving Shalford and the surrounding villages.

Our local store is far more than just somewhere to pick up a loaf of bread or a pint of milk. It is a real community asset, providing fresh produce, everyday essentials, meal deals, special offers and friendly service from people who genuinely care about their customers.

Budgens has built its reputation around quality, freshness and convenience, and our local store continues that tradition superbly. Whether you’re popping in for a few items, collecting provisions for the week, or simply looking for a quick meal solution after a busy day, you’ll find everything you need under one roof. (budgens.co.uk⁠)

What makes the difference, however, is the people. The friendly faces behind the tills, the willingness to help, and the welcoming atmosphere that reminds us why local businesses matter so much.

As residents, we often take these facilities for granted until they’re gone. Let’s continue to support our local Budgens, because having a well-stocked, friendly village store on our doorstep is something many communities would love to have.

Thank you to everyone who works there and helps keep this fantastic local service thriving. Shalford is lucky to have you.

07/06/2026

A refreshing and productive Sunday morning spent with Essex County Reform Councillor Carl Johnson, taking the time to visit a number of locations across our community that require urgent attention.

Together, we looked at areas where improvements are needed to enhance public safety, protect residents, and safeguard some of the valuable historical assets that make our villages so special.

Politics works best when it focuses on people, places and practical solutions. By getting out into our communities and seeing issues first-hand, we can better understand the challenges and push for the action that local people rightly expect.

From highways and drainage concerns to the protection of important heritage buildings and infrastructure, there is much work to be done, but progress starts by identifying problems, working together and ensuring the right authorities are held accountable.

We will continue working hard to ensure our communities remain safe, well maintained and proud of their heritage.

Less politics. More action. Real results.

06/06/2026

Another day, another bag of rubbish collected, thrown from vehicles onto Wethersfield Road.

Beer cans, coffee cups, food packaging and general waste — all casually discarded into our countryside as if someone else will deal with it.

This isn’t an accident. It isn’t a mistake. It’s a deliberate choice.

The people who live here, walk here, cycle here and volunteer their time to keep our villages clean should not have to spend their weekends clearing up after those who treat our roadsides like a bin.

Wethersfield Road deserves better.

If you can carry it full, you can take it home empty.

Respect our countryside. Respect our communities. Stop littering from vehicles.

04/06/2026

Tendring District Council establishing 3 new Parish Councils in response to resident demand. Will Braintree District follow and Parish the rest of its District including; Bocking and Braintree Town too....?

Exciting news for our local communities! Plans to create three new community councils in Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, and West Clacton & Jaywick Sands have officially been approved by Tendring District Councillors.🏛️

The decision follows strong backing from residents, with up to 93% support in some areas.

Over 6,000 consultation responses across two phases helped shape the plans.

Each council will give residents a stronger voice on local issues.

The new councils will be:
Clacton-on-Sea Town Council (25 councillors)
Holland-on-Sea Village Council (15 councillors)
West Clacton & Jaywick Sands Community Council (12 councillors)

These councils will help represent local priorities, influence planning decisions, and support services like parks, events, and community facilities.

If all goes ahead, the councils could launch in April 2027, with the first elections taking place shortly after.

This is a big step towards ensuring local voices remain heard - especially with wider council changes planned in the coming years.

To read more, follow the link in the comments 👇

03/06/2026

🏍️Think Bike! 🏍️From Essex Police - Braintree District

We ❤️safe bikes across 3 Fields - but also see (and hear) some riders that may put themselves and other road users at risk 🏇🏻🚶🏻🦌 🚴 🚗🚜🚒

Here's a link to the free FIREBIKE courses to help riders keep themselves and other road users safe 👇
https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/firebike

❤️3 Fields

30/05/2026

Kerbside collection changes start 1 JUN 2026.

Here's a few extra 💷💷💷reasons to get it right and avoid the Braintree incinerator where possible.

Upto date cost / income rates have been taken from a range of sources and exclude transit costs.

NOTHING in the GREY BIN is sorted and INCINERATION costs Essex taxpayers the most to process.

In March 2026 (before the election) ECC allocated nearly £95m to cover its statutory waste obligations.

♺ Happy recycling ♺

22/05/2026

PLANTS Great Bardfield

Just outside the beautiful village of Great Bardfield, tucked away behind The Blue Egg, you’ll discover PLANTS — a truly inspiring destination for gardeners, plant lovers and anyone looking to transform their outdoor space.

Surrounded by the Essex countryside, PLANTS offers a wonderful collection of carefully selected herbaceous, perennial and annual plants, alongside an impressive range of trees, shrubs and seasonal colour to suit gardens of every size and style. Whether you are creating a cottage garden, refreshing borders, adding architectural planting or simply searching for something special, there is inspiration at every turn.

The nursery also boasts a lovely selection of terracotta pots, planters and garden accessories, perfect for bringing warmth, character and timeless charm into any garden setting.

What makes PLANTS stand out is not just the quality and presentation, but the genuinely friendly and knowledgeable team always on hand to help. From planting advice and garden planning ideas to ongoing maintenance guidance, visitors can enjoy expert support in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

A visit to PLANTS is more than shopping for your garden — it’s an experience. A peaceful place to wander, take inspiration and enjoy some of the finest planting displays in the area, all just moments from the heart of Great Bardfield.