Halstead Royal British Legion Branch

Halstead Royal British Legion Branch A RBL Branch page, dedicated to Members and non-members, in and around the Halstead area. Club contact number is 01787-478-466

12/05/2026

Halstead man charged following string of burglaries

Thomas Corcoran, 34, of Colne Valley Close, Halstead, was arrested an hour after the initial call.

A man has been charged in connection with a series of burglaries in Halstead.

This follows an incident where an elderly resident found an intruder in their Chapel Street home on May 9.

Police were alerted at around 5.20pm, and similar reports were received from Kings Road and Beridge Road.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Detectives from Braintree CID have secured charges against a man in connection with a number of burglaries in Halstead."

Thomas Corcoran, 34, of Colne Valley Close, Halstead, was arrested an hour after the initial call.

He has now been charged with three counts of burglary.

Corcoran appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on May 11 and is set to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on June 8.

Over half the seats sold.Have you got yours?
03/05/2026

Over half the seats sold.

Have you got yours?

Babcock has brought together around 30 UK small and medium-sized enterprises at an engagement day in Dorset as it prepar...
03/05/2026

Babcock has brought together around 30 UK small and medium-sized enterprises at an engagement day in Dorset as it prepares its proposal to replace the British Army’s outgoing Land Rover fleet with a new generation of off-road vehicles based on Toyota platforms.
The Ministry of Defence recently announced it was retiring the Land Rover after 70 years of service as part of the upcoming Light Mobility Vehicle programme. In anticipation of the requirement, Babcock has developed the General Logistics Vehicle in strategic collaboration with Toyota, a family of vehicles based on the globally renowned Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux platforms, which will undergo military-specific modifications by Babcock teams in the West Midlands.

The engagement event, held at the Defence Battlelab in Dorset, brought suppliers together to discuss upcoming requirements for the vehicle platforms and outlined expectations for delivering what Babcock described as a sovereign solution that would be a cornerstone of military operations for years to come.

The day built on the recent launch of Babcock’s SME Engagement Charter, designed to foster a more accessible, fair and collaborative defence ecosystem.

Chris Spicer, Managing Director for Babcock’s Engineering and Systems Integration business, said the Army’s Land Rover had “earned its retirement” and that with the General Logistics Vehicle, Babcock was “building on its legacy with a product which will provide soldiers with a tough, reliable and practical platform to support a wide range of mission-critical tasks.” He added that by working with UK SMEs, the company was “creating and sustaining high quality jobs within our supply chain and contributing to the UK’s defence dividend.”

The General Logistics Vehicle family is centred on a network of UK SMEs supplying specialist components, with Babcock describing their role as vital to making the family of vehicles a compelling product for the Light Mobility Vehicle competition.

The General Logistics Vehicle family is centred on a network of UK SMEs supplying specialist components, with Babcock describing their role as vital to making the family of vehicles a compelling product for the Light Mobility Vehicle competition.

The Royal Navy has completed a four-month technology demonstration programme with small and medium-sized enterprises foc...
24/04/2026

The Royal Navy has completed a four-month technology demonstration programme with small and medium-sized enterprises focused on autonomous and uncrewed systems for anti-submarine warfare, as part of the broader Atlantic Bastion programme to develop a hybrid underwater capability in the North Atlantic.
According to the Royal Navy here, companies were invited to showcase off-the-shelf equipment across a range of capability areas including seabed acoustic detection systems, uncrewed surface vessels fitted with acoustic and towed arrays, remote operation centres with AI integration, drones equipped with sonobuoys, crewed and uncrewed subsea robots operated from ashore, and gliders and acoustic floats, with all systems required to be commercially available and deployable within the anti-submarine warfare domain.
Rear Admiral Rich Harris, Director Develop for the Royal Navy, said the demonstrations were “about proving that the latest technology is ready to secure the North Atlantic and our nation’s most sensitive waters”, adding that the Navy was “integrating crewed and uncrewed systems with digital decision-making to accelerate the Royal Navy’s transition to a hybrid navy, strengthening our readiness today and ensuring we are warfighting ready for the challenges of tomorrow.”

Captain Chris Hill, Atlantic Net Programme Director, said the programme had been “pivotal in providing the Royal Navy with a focused understanding of cutting-edge developments across the anti-submarine warfare landscape”, adding that industry support “far surpassed our expectations” and had left those developing Atlantic Bastion with “a wealth of exploitable knowledge.”

The programme sits under Atlantic Bastion, which is investing in advanced underwater sensors, autonomous platforms, lethality capabilities and a digital architecture to link those systems into a cohesive operational network, and forms part of the Royal Navy’s broader push toward a hybrid fleet in which traditional crewed warships operate alongside uncrewed technology across air, surface and subsurface environments.

A historic cinema in Halstead is set to undergo an extension to transform the site into a community arts centre.The proj...
24/04/2026

A historic cinema in Halstead is set to undergo an extension to transform the site into a community arts centre.

The project at The Empire Theatre, in Butler Road, aims to create a dedicated space featuring rehearsal rooms, meeting spaces, a café, and a bar to support local arts.

Earlier this year, the team behind the Halstead Community Arts Centre announced several major steps forward in the development of a new site, and have now confirmed the extension of the Empire.

Construction is expected to begin in March 2028.

Jim Bond, chair of the arts centre development group said: "The architect design has produced a truly accessible space that is open to the community visually as well as physically and, importantly, retains the illuminated Empire sign as a visible link to the existing building.

"We will shortly be consulting with potential users of the new facility about their views on the design.

"The centre will become a cultural community hub for both Halstead and the surrounding villages fulfilling a long held vision of having a community centre the town can be proud of."

The group is calling for volunteers to help with fundraising and publicity.

For more information and volunteering enquiries, contact [email protected] or 01787 476480.

The massed ranks of the famous Ermine Street Guard, Britain's oldest and largest Roman reenactment group, is making its ...
13/07/2025

The massed ranks of the famous Ermine Street Guard, Britain's oldest and largest Roman reenactment group, is making its first visit to Park in the Past, Hope, offering a spectacular and immersive experience into the world of ancient Rome.

Over the weekend of July 19-20, visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness the military might of Rome before their eyes.

The Ermine Street Guard will present an exciting display that showcases the armour, equipment, tactics and the sheer power of the war machine that enabled Rome to conquer vast territories, including the mysterious province of Britannia located at the end of the known world. Visitors will marvel at a column of elite legionaries - citizens soldiers who formed the backbone of the Roman army - alongside auxiliary standard bearers and a veteran centurion, all in full authentic regalia.

Park operations director Paul Harston said: "The Ermine Street Guard are the most impressive Roman Military group in the country and are famous throughout the land and Europe. We are delighted and honoured to host one of their amazing events".

In addition to the impressive military presentation, the event will feature a meticulously recreated living camp, complete with two rare replica hand-stitched leather tents. Visitors can explore displays of tools, food, and medical equipment used by the Imperial Roman army as they established new provinces and engaged in daily life on the frontiers of the Empire.

The Ermine Street Guard promises an entertaining and educational experience for all ages, blending historical accuracy with presentations. This is an opportunity for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the Roman Empire to delve into the past and gain a deeper understanding of the legacy that continues to shape our world today.

The event at Park in the Past, Hope, takes place on Saturday July and Sunday July 20, from 10am-5pm

Tickets (child £6.24, adult £10.38) are bookable online at parkinthepast.org.uk or payable on the gate.

Congratulations White Colne;White Colne crowned Essex Village of the Year 2025White Colne stands on the north side of th...
13/07/2025

Congratulations White Colne;

White Colne crowned Essex Village of the Year 2025

White Colne stands on the north side of the River Colne, opposite Earls Colne, in Colchester Road.

Earlier this month, the village was named Essex Village of the Year 2025.

Parish council chairman, Jane Taylor said: “This award is a real tribute to the spirit and dedication of our whole community.

"From the volunteers working quietly behind the scenes to those who turn out time and again to support village events — everyone has played a part in this achievement.

"I hope the whole village feels proud, because this win truly belongs to all of us.”

The council was awarded a plaque, a framed certificate and a cheque for £500.

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C/o 13 The Causeway
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