🎉 Holland‑on‑Sea Centenary Village Fete – A Day to Remember
Our Centenary Village Fete was a truly unforgettable celebration of community spirit. Despite a few ups and downs along the way, the day was filled with energy, colour, and togetherness — and we couldn’t be prouder of what Holland‑on‑Sea achieved.
🌼 A Very Special Opening
We were honoured to welcome Jean Finch, a Holland‑on‑Sea resident who celebrates her 100th birthday in September, to officially open the fete. Jean carried out the role with charm, humour, and grace — a performance worthy of an Oscar.
Born in Brightlingsea and now a proud Holland‑on‑Sea resident, Jean Finch is the eldest of three children. After marrying in 1948, she raised two daughters and eventually settled in Holland‑on‑Sea 19 years ago.
Jean’s family — including her daughters, four grandchildren, and five great‑grandchildren — have a wonderful celebration ahead.
When asked for her secret to reaching 100, Jean replied simply: “Good food and gardening.” Wisdom we can all appreciate.
To mark her milestone, the HRA has arranged a special afternoon tea for Jean and her sister. We are delighted to be among the first to say: Happy Birthday, Jean.
🛍️ Stalls, Activities & Entertainment
Nearly 40 stallholders joined us, offering an impressive mix of homemade crafts, charity stalls, toys, games, and tombolas — a huge hit with families throughout the day.
Children enjoyed FREE funfair rides and FREE face painting, both of which ran non‑stop thanks to the brilliant work of Dawn and the Bee‑Line funfair team.
Our DJ, Brian Telford, kept the atmosphere buzzing, with more than a few residents taking to the dance floor.
🐾 Family Fun Dog Show
Guided by our judges from Happy Tail Waggers, we went ahead with the dog show despite the unpredictable weather. Prizes were kindly donated by Holland Pet Store, and the ring was full of wagging tails and proud owners.
🎭 Show Ring Highlights
The show ring proved to be a real crowd‑pleaser, featuring:
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Pauline’s energetic Pink Flamingo Keep Fit troupe
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The brilliant CL Cheerleaders
Both acts brought fantastic energy to the day.
🚗 Classic Cars
We were delighted to welcome members of the Clacton Classic Car Club, whose vehicles drew plenty of admiration. The little red Mini was a particular favourite — a nostalgic nod to The Italian Job.
🎨 Face Painting & Funfair
Our face painter Dawn was busy from start to finish, and families greatly appreciated the free funfair, especially at a time when budgets are tight. Offering these attractions at no cost was an important part of giving something back to our community.
This would not have been possible without generous financial support from:
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Grassroots (main sponsor)
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The Tudwick Foundation
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Pureshine
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Holland Motors
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Clacton Lions
We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of them.
🎟️ Raffle
Many of our raffle prizes were kindly donated, including:
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Afternoon tea vouchers from Grandma Lilly’s and The Kingscliff
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A voucher from Pete’s Fish & Grill
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A meat voucher from Frinton Road Butchers
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A hamper from Morrisons Daily
Raffle tickets were sold at Kings Avenue Post Office, Morrisons Daily, and on the day itself.
Special thanks to Christine Shepherd for once again providing her marquee.
🌧️ Challenges on the Day
Like any large event, we faced a few unexpected hurdles:
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Our original drinks supplier was involved in a serious road accident the day before. A replacement stepped in and did a fantastic job under pressure.
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Our hog roast stall broke down en route, meaning no hog roast, candy floss, or popcorn.
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Our cake stall was also unable to attend.
Despite these setbacks, the team pulled together and kept the day running smoothly — a testament to the resilience of our volunteers.
🎄 Looking Ahead
Before we start planning next year’s fete, we have the Christmas Tractor Trail to look forward to in December. Date to be confirmed — keep an eye on our Events page.
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A Landmark for Our Village Green
Back in the summer of 2012, Essex County Council officially approved the application to register the open space at Brighton Road as a village green. It was a proud moment for our community, securing this much-loved space for generations to come.
Fast forward to 28th October 2025, and we were delighted to mark that achievement with the unveiling of a brand-new Village Green sign — a lasting landmark for our village green.
Of course, time has moved on since those early days. Some of the dedicated people who fought so hard to protect this space have sadly passed away or moved from the area. But many of the original “Save Our Space” campaigners are still here, and we hope they share in the pride of seeing this sign in place.
Our Thanks 🙏
This project was a true community effort, and we are grateful to everyone who played a part:
- Richard Walker – for designing the sign.
- Tom Bowman and the team at Dura Composites – for manufacturing a bespoke piece, quite different from their usual work.
- Glen Baker and his team – for installing the sign, despite the challenge of rock-hard ground.
- Andy White at Tendring Council – for authorising the installation.
- The HRA Committee – for their support and involvement throughout the process.
A Special Moment for the Community
It was wonderful to see so many residents gather on a dry (if grey) day to witness the unveiling. As I said at the event, it’s a joy to finally have a piece of artwork as a landmark — something far more fitting to mention when giving directions than “look out for the Brighton Road toilets”!
Looking Ahead
To everyone who helped secure village green status, contributed to the design, manufacture, and installation of the sign, and to all residents who have supported along the way — thank you. This sign is more than just a marker; it’s a symbol of community spirit, perseverance, and pride.
Here’s to future generations enjoying this open space as much as we do today.
Ipswich Road Centenary Sign Unveilling
On a bright and sunny Thursday, 9 April 2026, members of the Holland Residents Association gathered at Ipswich Road Gardens for a proud moment in the community’s history — the unveiling of a bespoke sign marking the Association’s centenary.
Reaching 100 years is a remarkable milestone, reflecting the strength, spirit and dedication that have shaped Holland-on-Sea across generations. The new sign stands not only as a celebration of the present moment but as a tribute to all those who have contributed to the Association over the past century.
The event was well attended, with several former Chairs joining current committee members and many HRA residents to witness the unveiling. Their presence highlighted the continuity and commitment that have kept the Association thriving for a century.
Special thanks were extended to Dura Composites for crafting the beautiful sign and to Glen Baker & Sons for their expert installation — support that the community deeply appreciates.
As the sign was revealed, attendees reflected on the Association’s proud past, celebrated its achievements today, and looked ahead with optimism to a strong and vibrant future for the Holland-on-Sea Residents Association.
Current & past Chairs (Left to Right):
Tracey Hunt (current Chair), Verity Coultard, Carol Cooper, Richard Walker, Maureen Humphries, Rita Garnett