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Hands across the water
Date: 13 February 2006
A unique maritime cross-border programme that could bring millions of euros into Essex from 2007 is the subject of debate later this month.
An EU funded project, “Time 2 C” is allowing a number of regions in the Southern North Sea, including Essex, to consider how they can co-operate to develop their maritime areas. The project, which runs until the end of this year, includes partners from coastal regions in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
At a “Time 2 C” seminar, on 23rd and 24th February, organised by the Essex Development & Regeneration Agency, 40 specialists from these regions will explore how they could work together to grow the economic prosperity of their coastal areas. Topics that will be debated include: regeneration of coastal settlements and harbour towns; maritime innovation; coastal tourism and maritime heritage; the maritime labour market and trade and business development. As part of the seminar programme, delegates will visit the i-lab at Hassenbrook School near Thurrock, where they will be welcomed by Mary Spence, Chief Executive of Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership.
Councillor Peter Martin, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Planning, Environment and Culture will be chairing the Conference and is confident that the event will be a major success. “I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with colleagues from across the southern North Sea. Essex coastal communities have a long history of trade and contact with the coastal regions of the Netherlands, Belgium and France. This project builds upon well-established partnerships that already are identifying common issues and opportunities. Undoubtedly, it will benefit us all to share expertise. From 2007, one of the largest sources of EU funding available to Essex will invest in maritime cross-border co-operation. We need to be fully prepared to get maximum benefit from this funding. It will enable us to deliver local projects that involve our communities, for example, by improving skills and employment levels, raising the aspirations of our young people and increasing tourism and investment.”
The coast of Essex, which extends to about 350 miles, has generated much interest in recent months. Christopher Sommerville, author of “Coast”, the book that accompanied the recent BBC series of the same name, is passionate about the county’s coastline – a place he first became familiar with when reading a James Wentworth Day novel as a child. In 2005, “350 Miles: An Essex Journey” was published, a collaboration between Ken Worpole and Jason Orton, following their journey by car, foot and bike along much of the county’s coastline in the early months of the year.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
An i-lab is a facility to help aid creative thinking, using a combination of electronic brainstorming software and break-out rooms in an innovatively designed environment. See also: http://www.hassenbrook.org.uk/
For more information please contact:
Lynn Ballard
Director of Research and Public Engagement
Essex Development & Regeneration Agency (ExDRA)
Tel: 01245 702470
Email: lynn.ballard@exdra.co.uk
Stuart Graham
Media and PR Manager
Essex Development & Regeneration Agency (ExDRA)
Tel: 01245 702415
Email: stuart.graham@exdra.co.uk
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