Between Colchester and Mersea Island lies the quiet village of Abberton.
To many it is known because of the nearby reservoir, which it shares its name with.
But Abberton, which is home to more than 1,000 people, is much more than just the village with the nature reserve.
Alan Frost is the embodiment of Abberton. The 72-year-old has lived here since he was seven years old, as his family moved to the Essex countryside.
In the village, his father ran a farm and the petrol station, which Alan took over once he finished school at 17.
He also ran the village garage, but once he retired, the work did not stop.
He said: “I’m busier than ever, I don’t know how I did it when I was working.”
A lot of his time he spends at the two community hubs, the village hall and the Lion Community Shop.
The shop, which was built at the former site of the village pub, has been a lifeline to many of Abberton’s residents.
Alan said: “Abberton used to have everything. The butcher would come for the meat, the milkman would bring the milk, and the baker the bread.
“But it all went away.
“Around 14 years ago, the pub shut. There were plans for housing, but we managed to secure the area as a community asset. And there we tried to set up the community shop.”
The community shop is the beating heart of the community, open 63 hours a week, with not one single opening hour missed, as shop manager Phil Rose confirmed.
He said: “The shop has made a real difference to the community here. It brings people together.
“For the last year, we’ve built and built, and we’ve never missed a day.”
Surrounded by an army of around 60 reliable and eager volunteers, the shop offers all necessities, from tea and biscuits, to ice-cream and frozen pizza, to toilet paper and fresh fruit.
“It really is a community here, and you can feel it through the shop. We are very proud of that. We are tight-knit but welcoming to others.
“When we moved here, we weren’t sure if we would stay, but now we can’t think of any other place than Abberton to be our home,” the former engineer said.
Councillors Dr Martin Parsons and Robert Davidson praised the work of the community shop, which is believed to be the only one of its kind in and around the city.
Dr Parsons said: “Here in Abberton, we have around 38 per cent of people over the age of 65. This is way above the national average, and we may be one of the ‘greyer’ areas of the country.
“But with this shop, the community comes together.”
Him and his fellow councillor Mr Davidson have followed the development of housing in the area closely.
Mr Davidson said: “Colchester needs houses, but if it comes here, we want it to be affordable and for local people. Sadly, it seems like Colchester Council has lost some control.”
Another focal point of social life in Abberton is the village hall, which was built in 1995.
Rosemary and Keith Turrell, 69 and 68, are looking after the place, which is bustling with activities throughout the week.
Rosemary said: “I’ve never known so many people. When I walk down the road, it sometimes takes me an hour, because I see so many people who ask how I am.
“It really is family and friends here in Abberton, wherever you go.
“People are really grateful for what we and everyone else is doing. It’s lovely here.”
The village hall is working hand in hand with the village primary school and other community groups.
Regular music nights, coffee mornings on Wednesdays and meals, as well as annual celebrations such as the summer fair or Christmas sleigh ride draw in dozens, and sometimes hundreds of people.
Alan, Rosemary and Keith are very proud of the village hall’s bar, Ed’s Bar, stepping in as a place to socialise following the closure of the pub.
The bar can be hired alongside the village hall.
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