We take a look back at some of the highs and lows of a memorable year, starting with the biggest stories from January to June.

JANUARY:

OUTDOOR dining on the High Street, an iconic bridge over the River Chelmer and a restaurant and visitor centre at Prom Park all featured in Maldon’s new town masterplan.

The 18 chosen projects were presented to Maldon District Council in January after a range of workshops to get residents’ opinions.

Some ideas were later removed from the plan.

SHOTGUN-WIELDING raiders attempted to rob a Burnham newsagents in January.

Martin’s Newsagents, in Station Road, was the target of thugs brandishing a shotgun and sledgehammers during an early morning raid.

Fortunately they couldn’t get access to the shop, despite multiple swings of the hammer which left noticeable damage to the glass door.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Damage had been caused to the front of the shop after a man attempted to gain entry by smashing the door.”

Nothing was taken during the incident.

FEBRUARY:

MALDON Carnival was saved after its future had been plunged into doubt.

Earlier in the month it was announced the annual event would not be going ahead, but after a desperate plea from organisers, a committee of 12 volunteers was found.

It would have been the first time in 66 years the carnival procession had not gone ahead.

PLANS for a War of the Worlds alien sculpture captured the imagination in Burnham.

Maldon District Council had proposed a 21 metre tall sailing mast be built in the town, but resident Nick Gilmour suggested the H.G. Wells inspired structure as an alternative to honour the Dengie’s mention in the novel.

Other ideas were submitted to the council, who were looking for suggestions on how to spend a £20,000 grant for a community project.

MARCH:

A SOCIAL care service supporting people across Maldon and the Dengie was axed.

One Support provided social care to 1,600 elderly and vulnerable residents with physical and mental health problems, but was withdrawn in March.

It was part of planned cuts of £713,000 to social care in Essex.

Dave Smith, 61, of Wood Road, Heybridge is wheelchair bound and suffers from depression.

He said: “It’s an absolutely disgusting decision, I am incredibly angry.

“I just don’t know what I’m going to do now she has to go. People like me require a lot of help for our conditions.

STORM Doris claimed Burnham Sailing Club’s pontoon as a victim as it swept across the country.

The UK suffered winds of up to 94mph as well as stormy conditions, and the pontoon wasn’t strong enough to withstand that battering, flipping over during the evening.

Members at the club worked into the night to ensure the dislodged pontoon didn’t float away.

APRIL:

HEARTLESS crooks broke into the base of a community project tackling loneliness, stealing power tools.

Organisers of the Men in Sheds project in Maldon were left gutted following the theft.

Tools worth in the region of £3,500 were taken from the shed, in London Road, during the break in.

TRIBUTES were paid to a “beautiful and caring” grandmother who was killed at a caravan park in St Lawrence.

Carolyn Hill, 51, died at St Lawrence Holiday Park in Main Road.

Following her death, her daughter said: “There are not enough words to express how much Mum truly means to me. She was a very beautiful lady.

“She was also my best friend and an amazing nanny to my two children who absolutely adored her.

“I will always remember her for all the good times we shared, for all the times I could confide in her and for all the silly jokes we played on each other. Days spent with my mum were days filled with laughter. “

MAY:

PLANS to bring Nerf Wars to Maldon were branded inappropriate by a park group, in light of terrorism in Europe.

Proposals to bring the activity to Millennium Woods in Promenade Park were objected to by Friends of Prom Park.

Chairman, Bob Wyness said: “Members were surprised that a war game scenario of this nature is considered to be an acceptable activity in a public park.

“It is entirely predictable and logical that children playing war games will trample down and tear up the undergrowth and climb trees causing damage to them.”

A LARGE crop of cannabis plants was uncovered in Southminster following a fire at a rural industrial estate.

The fire service discovered the plants inside a caravan, which was inside the warehouse unit in The Maltings Industrial Estate, Southminster, which caught fire.

Firefighters tackled the blaze for just over an hour, with reports that the warehouse was 50 per cent on fire at one point.

Once the fire was extinguished, 41 cannabis plants were discovered inside a caravan and reported to police.

JUNE:

CABBIE day was cancelled in June for the first time since 1952.

The popular parade, designed to bring children with learning and physical disabilities from east London to Maldon, was unable to take place due to a lack of volunteers.

Plume Academy principal, Carl Wakefield said: “Our staff and students were extremely disappointed when they found out as this is one of the highlights of the year.”

Mayor of Maldon Jeanette Stilts said: “I am very sad to see this long running event come to an end and not take place this year.

“I have enjoyed many Cabbie Days and it is such a shame it cannot happen this year. I hope we can get it going again.”

BURNHAM RNLI welcomed a new boat to their fleet following a £48,000 donation from a generous Burnham couple.

The money, from David and Barbara Chapman, allowed the RNLI to purchase a third D class inshore lifeboat.

The boat can operate closer to the coast, making it easier to search in shallow water, close to cliffs and among rocks.