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US mayor hails beautiful relationship with Essex

Lewis Adamsand
Simon Dedman,in Layer Marney
News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Bobby Dyer has grey hair and appears to be laughing. He is wearing a black suit jacket, navy shirt and navy tie. He is in the grounds of Layer Marney Tower.John Fairhall/BBC
Bobby Dyer, the mayor of Virginia Beach, was part of a US delegation in Colchester on Thursday

Trade links between Essex and Virginia have been praised as "beautiful" by a mayor based in the US state.

Bobby Dyer described the relationship as "paramount" during a business trip to Layer Marney Tower, near Colchester, on Thursday.

A transatlantic deal was struck between Essex County Council and the city of Virginia Beach in November 2024 to promote growth in both areas.

Republican politician Dyer said: "We have a lot in common that we could really share with the world."

He met with firms including Tiptree-based jam makers Wilkin & Sons and video game developer Dlala Studios, from Witham.

Dealmakers from both sides of the pond hoped the relationship would promote investment, trade, skills, education and offshore wind development.

"When you have a lot in common like we have, it just really helps fortify these relationships," said Dyer.

"And, my goodness, this is a beautiful relationship we have. We intend to not only keep it going, but even make it more robust."

News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Chris Newnham is wearing a black suit jacket over a pink shirt and navy tie with red strawberries on it. Jam jars and glass bottles of sauce are stacked on shelves behind him.John Fairhall/BBC
Chris Newnham, managing director of Wilkin & Sons, said a third of the Tiptree firm's exports went to the US

While the relationship may be unexpected to some, it was a natural fit for Wilkin & Sons.

The son of its founder uncovered the little scarlet strawberry - a variety that is native to North America - while studying in Virginia in the late-1800s and brought it home.

The sweet delicacy went on to become the key ingredient in its flagship product, which is sold back to Virginia.

Managing director Chris Newnham said: "We're really proud of the products that we produce and we'd love to sell more of them to the States.

"If we can start with Virginia as a microcosm of all of that, that would be wonderful."

News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Louise McKinlay has curly, shoulder-length blonde hair. She is wearing a dark jacket over a baby blue jumper. She is smiling in front of bushes outdoors.John Fairhall/BBC
County councillor Louise McKinlay said Essex and Virginia had plenty in common

Virginia was home to the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown.

It was also the intended destination of the Mayflower in 1620, but strong winds and bad weather led the ship, captained by Harwich's Christopher Jones, to dock in Massachusetts instead.

On Thursday, the US delegation was taken to the University of Essex to see robotics and the potential of their trade.

Louise McKinlay, the Conservative deputy leader at the county council, said: "This is all about how we can link up Essex and Virginia Beach businesses, the universities and the opportunities for both of our areas."

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