Blackwater Estuary swim helps fund new wind turbine

Othona is an off-grid Christian community based on the Blackwater Estuary, in Bradwell-on-Sea.

It is a meeting place for people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs, to ‘work, worship, study and play’ together.

Othona is environmentally conscious, generating all of its own power with a wind turbine, solar panels, eco-building, and more to reduce its carbon footprint.

A spokeswoman for Othona Community said: “As part of living collaboratively with nature we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint.

"As an off-grid community we have to generate our own electricity and a new wind turbine would allow us to generate this as far as possible through renewable low carbon sources.”

The new renewable energy source will cost around £100,000.

Angenita Hardy-Teekens, 57, swam across the estuary in an effort to raise £5,000 towards the vital second wind turbine for the community.

The swimming distance (Credit: Othona Bradwell)

This was a repeat of a swim she did 20 years ago to raise money for staff accommodation at the centre.

She set off on her swim from West Mersea at midday on Saturday, August 21, and managed to finish it five minutes quicker than she did two decades ago.

All those who make a donation will also have their names stencilled on the new windmill.

Angenita is an artist, so she will be turning the windmill into a work of art, full of names of its supporters in colourful bright letters.

To donate to Angenita’s fundraiser, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/angenita-m-teekens.

The Othona Community was set up in 1946 to promote peace and reconciliation by Norman Motley, an RAF chaplain.

For more information on Othona in Bradwell-on-Sea, visit www.othonaessex.org.uk.

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