Coronavirus: East of England live updates

1. All the latest from Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Northants and Suffolk
2. Latest daily figures show an increase of 44 coronavirus deaths in the region's hospitals
3. Southend Council "nervous" over beach visits
4. EasyJet is to resume some flights in June
5. National Trust to open some some properties over the weekend, but visitors will need to book parking spaces

Thursday's updates as they happened

Thanks for joining us to find out how the East of England is reacting to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.

Live updates have now finished for the day.

Join us again tomorrow when a live page will resume at 08:00.

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Council leaders have warnings for beach visitors

Patrick Byrne

BBC News

Southend Borough Council has responded to criticism that it did not do enough to deter visitors from its beaches where it is alleged social distancing laws have been broken during this week's hot weather.

Leader Ian Gilbert said in a statement: “We want people to think twice before visiting and ask if their journey is really necessary.

BBC

"The government’s lifting of restrictions allows day trips and sunbathing, but many of our attractions are shut, and parking and public toilets are more limited than usual to all for greater distancing and sanitation.

"We would urge people to stay safe and stay apart if they are here.”

Neil Stock, leader of Tendring District Council in north east Essex which covers Clacton-on-Sea, Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, Brightlingsea and Dovercourt, warned visitors should maintain social distancing and avoid crowded areas.

"But please remember if you’re coming to the Essex Sunshine Coast, or one of our parks and gardens, there’s nothing to do – nowhere to buy ice creams, you can’t sit down for a coffee or a beer," he said.

"You can bring your own refreshments, but please use a bin or take your rubbish home with you."

Resort locals 'shocked and angry' at beach crowds

Girl, 8, builds fairy village as lockdown 'distraction'

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

An eight-year-old girl has created a fairy village with her mum in a field in Milton Keynes during the coronavirus lockdown.

Bella Gunes had an idea to build a fairy house in a field in Bancroft while walking with her mum in the first days of lockdown. They returned every day and the project has now grown into a village which they have named Sunnytopia.

Wendy Gunes said: "It started as a little fun with my daughter to build a fairy house... and it has now turned into a full fairy village and somewhat of a local attraction, it’s been a lovely distraction and a wonderful project."

As the village becomes more well-known, Wendy has reminded everyone to "please continue to maintain social distancing guidelines that are still in place".

Wendy Gunes

Wendy Gunes

Wendy Gunes

Wendy Gunes

'Superhero' boy, 4, raises £3,000 for NHS PPE

Sarah Jenkins

BBC News

A four-year-old boy has raised £3,000 to buy personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff.

Lewis, who has cerebral palsy, walked 100 lengths of his garden in Coggeshall for 10 days in different outfits - many of which were superhero-themed.

Braintree District Council praised his efforts on Twitter, calling him a "true superhero".

St Albans Eid event cancelled

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

The planned Eid-ul Fitr event in Verulamium Park, St Albans on 23 and 24 May has been cancelled due to current government guidelines to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The festival marks the end of Ramadan, which Muslims traditionally celebrate with family and friends.

Organiser the Sopwell Community Trust said it "cannot leave this auspicious day unmarked" so has come up with other ways to celebrate.

Sopwell Community Trust

New bikes donated after hospital thefts

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

Two Stevenage residents have donated bicycles to staff at the Lister Hospital after hearing that a number of them had their bikes stolen while they were on duty.

Hertfordshire Constabulary

David and Kim Rogers had some new bikes they wanted to donate so PCSO Ron Treadwell arranged for them to be presented to two of the victims of theft.

PCSO Treadwell said it was "such a generous gesture".

"For many of the hospital staff, their bicycles are their only means to get to and from work. Stealing bikes at any times is dreadful, but particularly now, when our NHS staff are working flat out in such difficult circumstances," he said.

Following a police appeal about the thefts, Hiplok Ltd also donated 30 bike locks to hospital staff.

A 34-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the thefts.

Mayors stay in post for another year

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

While Milton Keynes Council has welcomed a new mayor of the town, in Luton and St Albans it's been decided their mayors will stay in post for a further 12 months due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Luton, councillors Tahir Malik and Maria Lovell will continue as mayor and deputy mayor until 2021. Both have decided that "in these unprecedented times", it is in the best interests of the council and town to be able to provide continuity by carrying on their duties. .

Mr Malik (below) said he was "incredibly honoured" to serve for another year and hoped his colleagues and the community would "keep supporting me for what promises to be a challenging year ahead".

Luton Borough Council

In St Albans, Janet Smith (below) has had her term extended until May next year following the cancellation of this year’s council elections, and Sandra Wood will remain as deputy.

She said: "Hopefully, we will soon be entering the recovery phase and I will be doing all I can to support our charities, community groups and businesses as they begin the difficult challenge of trying to return to normal."

St Albans District Council

New Milton Keynes mayor welcomed at first live-streamed meeting

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

Milton Keynes Council has held its first ever live-streamed meeting - and welcomed Andrew Geary as the new mayor.

Mr Geary, who was first elected in 2002 and served as leader from 2011 to 2014, replaces outgoing mayor Sam Crooks.

"I’ve lived in the Milton Keynes area for my entire life, and I’m immensely proud to be among the 8% of people to still be living here since the city’s inception," he said.

"To be the mayor of Milton Keynes is a huge honour and privilege."

Villagers thank lockdown disco neighbour

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

The Bank Holiday weekend is approaching but, to be honest, for many people it won't feel much different from the past few weeks.

The residents of Kings Langley in Hertfordshire will be hoping that's the case as they want to say a "big thank you" to Bob Best who has put on disco for his neighbours every single weekend since lockdown started.

"It’s become quite an event in the village," @millyruc said on Twitter.

@millyruc

'Celebrate Eid al-Fitr at home', Bedford mayor says

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

The mayor of Bedford has reminded all those celebrating Eid-ul Fitr this weekend that all mosques in the town are closed and people "should celebrate at home".

Eid ul-Fitr, the festival of the breaking of the fast, marks the end of Ramadan and is a time when mosques hold special services Muslims spend time with their friends and family.

Elected mayor Dave Hodgson said: "I know those celebrations will be different but I wish everybody Eid Mubarak.

"Please do share my message with your friends and family."

Hitchin market prepares to reopen

Katy Lewis

BBC News Online

Hitchin Market is aiming to reopen on 2 June with a number of changes being made to help keep shoppers and stallholders safe, North Herts District Council has said.

North Herts District Council

These include restricted stall sizes and gaps between stalls to enable social distancing, as well as hand-washing and sanitising facilities.

Councillor Ian Albert said it was "looking forward to welcoming traders and shoppers back" but that the date "will be kept constantly under review".

John Simmonds for Hitchin Markets said: "Social distancing measures such as wider walkways and two-metre gaps will be in place to ensure that everyone can enjoy the market safely."

What the papers are saying in Beds, Herts and Bucks...

• Luton Today reports that a new appointment-only drive-through testing centre has opened at London Luton Airport as part of the government’s UK-wide programme to control the spread of coronavirus
• Wilkestock organisers are "devastated" at cancelling charity music festival, The Comet says
• Bedford Today has looked at what the pandemic has done to house prices in the town

What the newspapers are saying in Northamptonshire...

• The Northampton Chronicle and Echo reports how Steffans Jewellers have been using their time during the coronavirus lockdown to create a new store concept while making sure they follow the government guidelines so customers can safely stand two metres apart
• The Northamptonshire Telegraph reports how two main hospitals saw a double-digit rise in the daily number of reported Covid-19 victims for the first time in a week

Northants sports stars to be quizzed online

BBC Radio Northampton

Two-time Ashes winner Monty Panesar will head a panel of Northamptonshire sporting stars taking part in an online charity quiz on Friday.

Getty Images

The Not Just A Question of Sport quiz has been organised by the University of Northampton and will also feature Northampton Saints stars Alex Waller and Paul Hill, former Cobblers striker Marco Gabbiadini and Steelbacks players Ben Sanderson and Josh Cobb.

The event will be streamed live on YouTube raising money for NHS Charities Together.

Police chief: 'There is a sense that the lockdown has been lifted'

BBC Radio Norfolk

A police chief says his officers are now dealing with “far more” people heading for east coast resorts, and he is concerned this might spread Covid-19.

Norfolk’s Chief Constable Simon Bailey said there was a risk to local communities from people travelling to the county’s coastal towns.

BBC

Officers were facing a huge challenge where social distancing was not being observed in the hot weather during the coronavirus lockdown, he said.

“We are putting ourselves at risk by failing social distancing. We are actually dealing with far more people now heading for the coast," he said.

Mr Bailey said he was very concerned that, after some rules were relaxed, some people felt they could do what they wanted and that the coronavirus challenge had passed.

“There is a sense that the lockdown has been lifted," he said.

The scene on Southend beach

Richard Smith

BBC Essex

A clean-up operation is under way on Southend seafront. Overflowing litter bins are being emptied and traders are washing down pavements in front of their premises.

Security staff are keeping an eye on traffic on Western Esplanade where crash barriers have been installed to narrow the road to create more space for pedestrians and cyclists.

BBC

Richard Smith from BBC Essex

The seafront was busy earlier with joggers, walkers, and strollers - some saying they were local and wanted to enjoy the beach before any crowds and the heat of the day.

I’ve already met day-trippers - clutching takeaway coffee and exploring the central beach area.

Families have returned to experience almost clear skies, hot sun and a gentle breeze but at this stage there's plenty of room to spread out and different groups appear to be taking advantage of the available space.

What the papers are saying in Norfolk…

• Bernard Matthews worker, Joe Pearce, 35, was suspended for wearing a face mask and then sacked when he vented his anger on Facebook, the Eastern Daily Press reports
• The Lynn News reports that education chiefs in Norfolk have called for patience as the controversy over the partial re-opening of schools following the coronavirus shutdown continues
• Norwich City’s players are understood to be returning to training in small groups from today, as a report suggests that none of the club’s players or staff have tested positive for coronavirus, the Pink 'Un reports

Watford's Adrian Mariappa tests positive for coronavirus

BBC Sport

Watford defender Adrian Mariappa has said he is one of three people who tested positive for coronavirus at the club.

On Tuesday, it was announced there had been six positive tests across three Premier League clubs and the club said it would not be naming the three involved due to "medical confidentiality".

Getty Images

But Jamaica international Mariappa, 33, told the Telegraph it was "a big surprise" that he tested positive because he had no symptoms and felt "as fit as ever".

"If it wasn't for the fact I had gone back to training and had this test, then I'd never have found out that I had the virus and I would just be getting on with things as normal," he said.

Two other staff at Watford and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan also tested positive, while the two others at a third club have not yet been revealed.

Coronavirus deaths in the East up again

Matt Precey

BBC Look East

The latest number of new daily coronavirus deaths has been released by the government.

In the East there was an increase of 44 deaths in the region's hospitals, taking the total number so far to 3,373.

·Basildon and Thurrock: 1

·Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust: 1

·East and North Hertfordshire: 1

·East Suffolk and North Essex (Ipswich and Colchester hospitals): 1

·Hertfordshire Partnership: 1

·Kettering General Hospital: 8

·Luton and Dunstable: 14

·Mid Essex Hospital: 1

·Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals: 1

·North West Anglia (Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke hospitals): 5

·Northampton General: 2

·Southend Hospital: 8

The total number of Covid-19 associated UK deaths now stands at 35,704.