ESSEX County Council has marked its 125th year by releasing a video. 

The County Council’s anniversary was marked at a special service at Chelmsford Cathedral yesterday, attended by Essex County Council Chairman, Councillor Kay Twitchen.

The ceremony was an opportunity to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future of one of the country’s largest local authorities.

Councillor Twitchen said: “The service yesterday was opportunity to commemorate the rich historic past of Essex County Council and to also thank those who work for local authorities across Essex for the work they do in supporting residents in all areas of their lives.”

Leader of the County Council, Councillor David Finch, added: “Reflecting on 125 years of county council history you tend to the think of the present and how public services have transformed with the changing make-up of the county. As a local authority we are facing challenges that require us to make difficult decisions.

“However, the one area that has remained a constant over the last 125 years is that of putting the resident at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to supporting residents of all ages and I passionately believe that over the next 125 years this stance will not change.”

Attending yesterday’s service were all the Mayors and Chairmen of the county’s Borough, District , City, Town and Parish Councils and the current, past and future Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriffs. A number of Essex MPs were also present as were representatives of charity and voluntary groups, the Honorary Aldermen, and current and past Chief Constables, and the Police Crime Commissioner.

To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the County Council, a special video has been produced which shows how the Essex Record Office (ERO) preserves the county’s local history for future generations.

The video looks at three areas which the ERO specialises in - archive, sound and audio history, and conservation - and how each of these include artefacts that detail the history of the County Council.