For the first half of 2014 cash cuts were one of the biggest issues for residents and councillors.

In January Essex County Council announced the date for the big switch-off in Tendring with blueprints showing the streets where lights would be off between midnight and 5am.

Residents and councillors raised fears the blackout would cause a rise in crime and damage night-time business.

In May it was claimed hero fire crews had been hampered in their life-saving jobs by the decision to turn off streetlights at night.

A former firefighter said the move to switch off streetlights between midnight and 5am had affected efforts to put out a spate of car fires in Brooklyn Road, Dovercourt, thought to have been arson.

There were also protests over the closure and downgrading of Harwich's Maternity Unit at the Fryatt Hospital.

In March Harwich Maternity Unit was closed to births as midwives were sent to Colchester General Hospital due to staff shortages.

In April more than 350 people marched from Cliff Park in Dovercourt to the town’s Fryatt Hospital to lobby against the decision by Colchester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The unit was later reopened as a birthing unit rather than a midwife-led unit.

But there was also some humbling news in this year's papers.

In February school lifesavers were awarded for the quick-thinking actions that saved pupil Hollie Jarrett's life after she collapsed outside the Mayflower Primary School.

At a special ceremony Michelle Stacey, an administrative assistant, and Clare Ruffell, a teaching assistant, were honoured for starting CPR on the eight-year-old who had an undiagnosed tumour.

And in March a hero police officer who caught a woman as she plunged from a road bridge was named the county’s bravest officer.

Det Sgt Hayley Lambert, who covers Harwich and Manningtree, was honoured with the Wilson Trophy for the most courageous act of the year at the Essex Police Awards. She saved a woman who jumped from a bridge over the A12 – despite the risk to her own life.

2014 was also the 500th anniversary of Trinity House, which has its headquarters in Harwich.

In June Princess Anne helped celebrate the 500th anniversary of Trinity House during a royal visit to the town. The Princess Royal attended a service at St Nicholas’ Church to mark the milestone at lighthouse. She was greeted by waving crowds as she entered the church.