Latest news with #Coggeshall
BBC News
11-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Butterfly bomb' as Essex estate enjoys population surge
A charity that looks after a large Essex estate has spotted almost half of the UK's butterfly species this year, despite recent significant population 2022, Butterfly Conservation reported that numbers had dropped by 80% since the Finkle, chief executive of Markshall, in Coggeshall, said: "This year we have seen a butterfly bomb... It's almost like a cannon of butterflies has exploded, and they're absolutely everywhere."Of the 59 butterfly species present in the UK, the charity has spotted 28 on its 2,200 acres so far this year. "We have a volunteer who is a bit of a butterfly specialist and he's very, very dedicated," said Mr Finkle."He quietly appears at different times of the day and you can see his little hat in the distance where you see him going through all of our long grass and meadows."He carefully takes his time trying to spot the butterflies and document them." The species include the rare purple emperor – something Mr Finkle said he was "ecstatic" about."It's really rewarding for the whole team when everybody's working on conservation methods and going about their day-to-day business," he said."It felt like that we'd found the Holy Grail when we got the purple emperors."We found a cluster of them where they were feeding on the sap that was leaking out of one of our oak trees, and it's just an amazing thing – those few seconds where you witness improvement in the biodiversity."It's what we're here for. We're custodians of the land and we work hard to conserve and preserve."The charity looks after 200 acres of arboretum and gardens as well as 2,000 acres of ancient woodlands and tenanted farmland. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Bradwell wood pile fire 'challenging' for crews, manager says
A fire service said trying to get a fire in a wood pile under control was "challenging" in hot County Fire and Rescue Service was called to Bradwell near Coggeshall at about 11:00 BST. Crews from Coggeshall, Braintree, Halstead and Wethersfield worked to surround the fire and get it under control, station manager Adrian Richardson said."We will be here for the rest of the evening to carry out a controlled burn," he added. "We're working with the farmer to redirect the fire back into the stack to stop it from spreading." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'You cannot take away choice from girls'- reactions to possible school skirt ban
A GROWING number of schools across the UK are moving to ban skirts from their uniform policies — and the reaction from parents and residents has been anything but quiet. The latest flashpoint is Honywood School in Coggeshall, Essex. Earlier this month, the school announced that from September, students would only be permitted to wear trousers or knee-length tailored shorts — effectively banning skirts altogether. The school said the decision was due to ongoing issues with students rolling up their skirts. However, following a backlash from parents, the ban was postponed — though not entirely scrapped. The Gazette took to the streets to ask residents what they thought of the controversial move, and the community offered a range of strongly held views. Kerry Martin (Image: Newsquest Reporter) 'I think it's a little bit extreme that these schools are banning skirts,' said Kerry Martin, 36, an artist living in Blackheath. 'I understand that there are some concerns, and they are valid and they must have rules in place to ensure everyone is wearing the right length skirt. "However, they shouldn't take it away from everybody. Girls should be allowed to wear skirts if they choose to. Especially in this hot weather.' James Ferris (Image: Newsquest Reporter) James Ferris, 39, an engineer from Tollesbury, said he sees the issue from the perspective of a parent. He said: 'I don't think it's fair at all. As a girl dad, I fully believe that the girls should be allowed to wear whatever they want to wear. "They should have the right to choosing if they want to wear a skirt or trousers. You cannot take away choice from young women as they are growing up.' Anna Gayle (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Anna Gayle, 42, who works in HR and lives in Manningtree, said: 'As a mum, I feel that it seems unnecessary to ban the skirt. "If the length of the skirt is an issue, have stricter guidelines about what's the appropriate length. "As a parent, I believe schools should have the right to policy making, but you cannot take away choice from young women. "Have rules in place about what's the right length of the skirt permitted, and for kids who don't follow that rule, have a chat with their parents.' Matt Gayle (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Her husband, Matt Gayle, 43, a CBT therapist also from Manningtree, agreed that banning skirts goes too far. He said: 'I know girls tend to roll up their skirts, but a ban is over the top. If there is a certain uniform, have a guideline and make sure people abide by it. "Discipline is important but we cannot simply dictate girls to not wear skirts. "Skirt or trouser, the choice must be theirs and parents must also take full responsibility in making sure the girls wear the right length of skirt that is outlined in the school's uniform policy.' Matt Coowes (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Matt Coowes, 34, a production engineer, living in Clacton said: "Well my organisation had banned shorts last year actually, which we all sided with because it was from a health and safety standpoint. "So, this sort of uniform policy is only acceptable in my opinion if it's to safeguard the children from a health and safety perspective. But clearly that's not the case. "It's a case of taking away choice from young women to decide if they want to wear a skirt or a trouser, it's about controlling how they chose to express themselves. "Sure the girls roll up the skirts, then find a better way so they don't. Banning is not the solution." Linda Lloyd (Image: Newsquest Reporter) Linda Llyod, 56, a screening officer for a learning disability organization living in St Osyth, said banning skirts fails to address the real issue. She said: 'Well girls rolling up school skirts is very normal for their age. It's life, it's just girls for you. "Now it's absolutely ridiculous they want to ban skirts. I think they shouldn't ban it. Girls wear skirts and they should be allowed to wear it if they choose to. "The length is an issue, and that should be addressed in a better way. If your concern is girls' safety, make sure you outline it as a rule they wear knee-length skirts, but don't ban it entirely. "I see both sides of this argument but a ban... that's still a bit unfair and I hope they don't implement it.'
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Honywood School head had 'personal attacks' over skirt ban
A head teacher said parents made "personal attacks" against him after he banned pupils from wearing new policy at Honywood School in Coggeshall, Essex, was made due to "ongoing issues" with uniform, but was later reversed after feedback from accused the school of being influenced by "transgender activists", head teacher James Saunders said in a 14-page said the uniform debate had spiralled into arguments about "the interpretation of wokeness". Mr Saunders also highlighted concerns from some that the parents of Muslim children had influenced his decision to initially ban the school said the policy idea came from uniform issues, understood to be related to skirt length. Mr Saunders compiled a lengthy report outlining some of the parental feedback he had received."Some parents express strong ideological backlash against the term 'gender neutral,' viewing it as 'forced upon our children' or linked to 'trans-gender activists' and 'LGBT+ being pushed down [their] throat'," Mr Saunders said it was "exhausting" having to fight for girls "to be seen as human and not sexual objects".One suggestion made by a parent was to introduce a "strike" system against pupils wearing inappropriate skirts. 'I am a human being' The head teacher said the debate "exposed underlying tensions" within society."The uniform debate has become a battleground for broader societal discussions around gender roles, victim-blaming, and the interpretation of 'wokeness'," he for Education guidance stated that schools had the power to set uniform policies, and it encouraged them to have dress codes that promoted "good behaviour and discipline".Mr Saunders said any future uniform changes would be implemented with clear guidelines via a phased introduction from September to parents about his report, Mr Saunders criticised "disrespectful" emails that had been addressed to him."Whilst I am the head teacher of Honywood School, I am also a parent and a fellow human being, and personal attacks achieve nothing," he said. "I have been asked what my personal values are, as if this drives how I lead the school."The school was contacted for further comment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Coggeshall school puts its proposed skirts ban on hold
A plan by a school to ban skirts in a bid to make uniform more gender-neutral has been paused after the head teacher received "discriminatory and bigoted" Monday, pupils at Honywood School in Coggeshall, Essex, were told they must wear only trousers or knee-length shorts from on Wednesday, head teacher James Saunders wrote to parents to say the policy had been put on hold following said he was still keen to collate people's views and added: "I feel we need a more productive framework, free from the emotive and polarised opinions that permeate society." Mr Saunders said: "As a society, we do not always have to be on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Talking about 'liberal wokeness' at one extreme or a 'Victorian approach to discipline' on the other."The school has asked parents and carers for their thoughts on both the existing uniform rules and the proposed ones. The initial decision to ban skirts attracted criticism from some parents, first reported by the Colchester its first letter sent to parents, the school said outlawing skirts would remove "ongoing challenges" and create a more "equitable, practical and affordable" dress added: "Over time, we have unfortunately experienced persistent issues with school skirts being worn incorrectly."Department for Education guidance states that it is for schools to set uniform policies, and it encourages them to have dress codes that promote "good behaviour and discipline".In a statement, Honywood School said it took the concerns of families seriously."It is disappointing that we have not been given time to respond in our normal community-minded way and that families feel this is a matter that needs reporting in the media," said the statement."We only wish families were more passionate and vocal about the real challenges schools are facing currently."The school said it would work to achieve a "mutually accepted solution" and said the media was "not the appropriate platform" to address the issue. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
