“I used to love going in the water, I love a swim, I used to go in at 7 o’clock until 12 o'clock at night. My missus used to moan cos she couldn’t swim! Used to be full of people on the beaches, all up there on the promenade. People used to open their doors, give you a cup of tea.” – Ernest Wink As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, our Life Stories and Heritage Stories exhibitions will be shown at Firstsite in Colchester on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st May, 10am-5pm. Please note viewing will be closed between 2.30-3.30pm on both days. Heritage Stories, funded by the The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is a collection of photos and oral histories of people who were involved with setting up the hospice, starting in 1979 up to the opening of the day centre by Princess Diana in 1988. Life Stories, funded by Essex County Council Arts & Cultural Fund, is about patients' memories and lives beyond diagnosis. The exhibitions are also open at Jaywick Martello Tower for viewing Thursdays to Sundays until 22nd June. #CultureEssex (fb)

"I am now very aware of what the benefits of the hospice movement and I am more than happy to support all they do. If you are on the walk look out for us. We will all be wearing printed tea shirts in memory of Sue and the hut is easy to spot as it has a Welsh Dragon on the front in honour of Sue’s roots." - Robin Bethan and Cathlin will be leading family and friends on the Pier to Pier walk in memory of their mother, Susan Venables, who died at the Hospice in November 2024. Sue’s husband, Robin, and friends will be cheering on the walkers from their beach hut on Frinton seafront, where it will also be used as a water stop station. The hut was a special place that Sue and the family had spent many happy hours at over the years. Sign up before midnight tonight at sthelena.org.uk/piertopier to join Bethan, Cathlin and their group along with hundreds of other supporters taking on the 7 or 14 mile walk between piers. Read more from Robin at https://sthelena.org.uk/news-and-stories/stories/cheering-from-beachhut (fb)