A COMMUNITY seaside retreat in Bradwell on Sea is now wheelchair accessible thanks to new funding.

The Othona Community in East End Road, which offers courses and hosts residential groups, has officially opened their disabled access parking and pathways to the public.

Attending the opening last Thursday were representatives from the grants office, parish council and the Down Hall residential home.

The new pathway was blessed by the Rev Steven Poss.

The work was paid for by a grant from the Bradwell windfarm and completed by volunteers who offered their labour. Construction manager Peter Baird said: “We started lifting the stone slabs in mid-June.

“I did all the designing and a lot of the major work myself. We also did a landscaping project too.

“It’s brilliant but it was a lot of hard work.

“It’s very rewarding to see. I have been coming to Othona for 20 years and this the first time that the path has been this good.

“The reaction seems to be positive. It’s good for the wind farm to see that the funds are going to something worthwhile.”

Kelvin Craknell, 66, is from Little Leighs, Chelmsford helped cut the ribbon.

Mr Craknell has motor neuron disease and gets around in a motorised wheelchair.

Mr Baird said Kelvin has been instrumental in helping the team modify the pathway so that it is comfortable for visiting wheelchair users.

Mr Craknell said: “We discovered this place completely by accident.

“It’s a relaxing environment and the people here are very nice and dedicated.

“The angles of the path are perfect, the surfaces are completely smooth, you don’t get vibrations in your spine.

“Access is a really critical thing.

“All the volunteers who helped have done a great job.”

Centre Manager Tim Fox said: “We’re really blessed with a place like this.

“The number of people that come in chairs is quite a few.

“It used to be really difficult for people because not only did they have to park, but then they had to find their way in.

“We’ve seen it in use today and we’re incredibly grateful for the people that helped.

“Without that support, we wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

The project was funded with £10,000 from the Bradwell Wind Farm Community Fund and an additional £3,500 from Othona.

Councillor Tony Pluckrose, representative for the Bradwell fund, said: “I’m delighted with it.

“I think this is a splendid organisation and a credit to its community.”