Halstead Council celebrating its 50th anniversary this year

Halstead Council is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year after it was founded in 1974.

Its first ever meeting was held on September 13 that year, and one of the main items on the agenda was to discuss buing a typewriter.

At the time, the first Halstead Council clerk was Gale Watson.

The local authority has shared a selection of images from over the years which showcase different moments over the years.

You can see the original offices in Trinity Street which Halstead Council used to operate from before it moved to Mill House, and finally Queens Hall, in Chipping Hill.

Another image shows the bus park in the 1970s which eventually became the site of the Trinity Court flats.

70s - an image of a parachutist during the 1976 Halstead Carnival (Image: Halstead Council)

Interesting - the bus park in the 1970s (Image: Halstead Council)

Party - an old image of Halstead residents celebrating (Image: Halstead Council)

There are also moments from Halstead Young Farmers’ Club in 1975.

The town clerk for Halstead said: “When it first opened, the council had perhaps a greater role in the community than it does now.

“It provided school milk for primary children at a cost of £115 per month. It also supplied firewood to pensioners.”

There are many fantastic photos included.

Black and white - Halstead young farmers club in 1975 (Image: Halstead Council)

Work - the Halstead bridge work in the 1970s (Image: Halstead Council)

Event - the start of the Halstead fun run in the mid 1980s (Image: Halstead Council)

However, the council is also celebrating its more recent achievements over the years as it marks the anniversary.

The council worked to make the Queens Hall, in Chipping Hill, a fully functioning hall for the town in 2017.

In 2020, Halstead Council addressed the safety concerns around the leaning wall at Holy Trinity Church, in Chapel Hill.

There were worries around school children walking past the leaning wall but the situation was fixed by the council.

Working for the community - an old image of Halstead Council members dated December 14, 1999 (Image: Halstead Council)

A time gone by - Michael Portway in the Taylor and Portway Factory, dated May 15, 2000 (Image: Halstead Council)

Shop owners - Dennis and Ann Hume outside their business (Image: Halstead Council)

In 2021, the council celebrated being accredited with the quality gold level in the local council award scheme.

It is an award which demonstrates that a council is at the forefront of best practice and excels when it comes to governance, community leadership and council development.

In 2023, the council helped replace the much-loved Empire Theatre's roof with new slates.

The council is also working towards countering climate change and has made it a central part of its action plan, introducing electric vehicle charging points in Chapel Street, last year.

The council clerk said:  "The council has the community at the centre of its focus, and is always open to requests and suggestions from residents."