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Saturday 3 July to Saturday 25 September. Humphrey Spender Centenary Celebration Exhibition at Gainsborough’s House. An exhibition to celebrate the birth of Humphrey Spender a century ago will open at Gainsborough’s House, Sudbury in July. Humphrey Spender (1910-2005). The exhibition spans Humphrey Spender’s extraordinary career as an artist and a designer. He is best- known as a photographer, and for his striking images of ordinary British life, including those for the Mass Observation survey of the 1930s and for the Picture Post. He produced a lively series of photographs of the townsfolk of Sudbury on Market Day in 1934. At the time, Spender took these photographs he was living with his brother, the poet Stephen, at the Great House in Lavenham, about five miles from Sudbury. He had just completed his training as an architect and begun to work as a press photographer. The artist later settled in Maldon in Essex in the 1960s, commissioning a house from Richard Rogers.
Spender’s artistic interests spread far wider than photography alone. As this exhibition will demonstrate, he was also a painter, printmaker, illustrator and designer. His design work extended from wallpaper and textile designs for Sanderson and others to interior design for Ocean liner.
His versatile and highly creative imagination, which crossed so many different art forms, was innovative and experimental. The display will included some of his fascinating experiments with photographic techniques as well as some of his quirky ‘dotty’ objects.
The career of this extraordinary artist will be celebrated in this centenary show.

Friday 30th July Halstead Conservative Social Club Domino Drive 8.00pm

Friday 30th July at 7.30pm. Riotous Assembly, a folk opera concerning the East Anglian riots of 1816 featuring the Sible Hedingham Five will be performed at the Coggeshall Grange Barn. Tickets priced £5 are available from Jane Winch on 01787 476419

Saturday 31st July Halstead Town Council Summer Fun at Weavers' Court: Face Painting from 10am to 3pm

Saturday 31st July Come surfing in Braintree – but give your views first. Residents from the Glebe, Coldnailhurst and Tabor areas of Braintree have been having their say on how their neighbourhoods could be improved. Now everyone will get the chance to see new designs for each housing estate and can give their own views and comments on the new plans.
Everyone is invited to attend the Consultation Fun Day, Featuring Braintree's first surfing competition - free entry on the Coldnailhurst Green space near ‘The Inn on the Green’, Braintree
from 2pm to 4pm.
Organised by Groundwork, the environmental charity which is leading the areas’ regeneration plans, the event will include Braintree's first surfing competition with a first prize of £60 in Amazon vouchers (2nd and 3rd prizes also) for the person who can stay on the longest. Surfing is free, but to enter the competition residents will have to give their views on the plans.

Saturday 31st July Halstead Conservative Social Club 80’s Disco & Comedy with OZ 8.30pm

Sunday 1st August Halstead Conservative Social Club Cash Prize Bingo Eyes Down 8.00pm

Monday 2nd August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Psychic Night Richard Baldwin

Thursday August 5th, Lunchtime Concert at the Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula, Coggeshall commencing at 12.30pm: Martin Dobson (saxophones and flute), Mike Parker (piano). Admission free; retiring collection. Light lunches available from 12 noon. All proceeds to St Peter’s Church organ appea

lFriday 6th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Domino Drive 8pm

Sat 7 Aug. River Stour Trust Event. Coracle Regatta at Bures Recreation Ground, Midday – 5pm. Watch the races or have a go!

Saturday 7th August Halstead Town Council Summer Fun at Weavers' Court: Face Painting from 10am to 3pm

Sunday 8th August. Concert in Lamarsh Church at 12 noon. Holy Innocents Church, Lamarsh is a Grade 1 listed building, but is also a thriving place of worship where the congregation has grown since the arrival, a few years ago, of The Rev Margaret King. One of her greatest successes is to have brought in families with children, who assist with the services, as a result of which the congregation has grown considerably. However, in such a small village where there is a total population of under 200, it is incredibly difficult for the church to make ends meet, as the outgoings, excluding any maintenance, are around £8,000. The maintenance of the church has, for the last ten years, been paid for by The Friends of Lamarsh Church, who have raised nearly £60,000 in that time. Among the work undertaken has been the restoration of the bell, and the lime-washing of the exterior plasterwork.
The church is therefore very fortunate to have been offered a Concert by a local resident who also happens to be a leading light behind the well known group Opus Anglicanum, who will also be performing at the Quay Theatre in Sudbury the night before. All the proceeds of the concert will go towards the annual cost of keeping the church open for worship.
The concert in Lamarsh Church is themed around “words and music of love” and will start at noon and last an hour and will be followed by a buffet lunch with drinks at Sheepcote Farm, Great Henny. Tickets for the concert, lunch and drinks are £20, which has to be the best value for money event this summer! Tickets can be obtained from Helen Morgan, Orchard House, Lamarsh. 01787 227404. Numbers are limited.

Sunday 8th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Cash Prize Bingo Eyes Down 8pm

Sunday 8 August. Open Day at Alderford Mill, Alderford Street, Sible Hedingham. The mill will be open to the public from 2 – 5pm. Everyone welcome to come and explore this historic building. Entry is free.

Sunday 8th August Boot Sale. Halstead Town Football Club with Halstead in Bloom invite you to a Boot Sale at the Football Club, Rosemary Lane, Halstead. Gates open for sellers at 9am, cost £5.00 per car, £8.00 per van. Buyers welcome from 10am. Bar will be open and refreshments will be available.

Friday 13th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Domino Drive 8pm

Saturday 14th August Halstead Town Council Summer Fun at Weavers' Court: Ceramic painting from 10am with 100 pieces to be painted

Saturday 14th August from 1pm Four Colnes Show. If you’ve got some prize winning parsnips or eye-catching irises in your garden, can rustle up a mean lemon meringue pie, take the perfect photograph or your child has wonderful handwriting – now’s the time to reap success at the Four Colnes Show 2010.
Organised by the Four Colnes Horticultural Society, this event is now in its 128th year. The show takes place at Earls Colne Recreation Club, Halstead Road, Earls Colne. Entry is £2 adults, 50p children - with all proceeds from the show going to local charities.
Attractions include outdoor stalls and activities, a Fun Family Dog Show, a Tennis event for children, Scarecrow competition, Vintage Vehicle display, live music and dance performances. Organisers also hope to have a visit from the Essex Air Ambulance.
The horticultural competition, which last year saw over 600 entries, is open to children and adults of all ages who live within 8 mile radius of Earls Colne. Categories include fruit and vegetables, cakes and biscuits, jams and chutneys, art and crafts, photography, flowers and floral art; children’s categories for under 8s; 8-12 years and 12-16 years; senior citizens entries plus the freakiest vegetable! To take part simply pick up an entry form from Earls Colne Library or contact the Society’s secretary Richard Curtis on 01787 224609. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 11th August.

Saturday 14th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Pete’s Kind Of Music 8.30pm

Sunn 15 Aug. River Stour Trust Event. Family BBQ at VEC, Great Cornard, Midday-4pm

Sunday 15 August 12 to 4 pm. SESAW Open Day. We hope to have all the usual stalls and Anita’s delicious delicacies. Like everyone we are feeling the effects of the recession and are trying to find different ways of raising money to cover our spiralling costs. One of the noticeable affects is that more of the animals coming in need veterinary care before we can rehome them.
To help finance this we have held sales at the Centre and have raised about £900 so far, but as our vet bills are around £2000 per month we need to keep thinking of new ideas. SESAW thanks everyone for their past support and we hope to see you on the 15th.

Sunday 15th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Cash Prize Bingo Eyes Down 8pm

Thursday August 19th Halstead Tea Dances at the Queens Hall, Chipping Hill, 2.00pm -.4.15pm. Dennis & Betty. Entrance fee £2.50. Raffle 50p a strip. For further details contact Sylvia on 01787 475026.

Friday 20th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Music Quiz Night 7-30 for 8pm

Friday 20th, Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd August. Halstead Arts Group Annual Exhibition and Sale at St Andrews Church Hall, Parsonage Street, Halstead. All are welcome to attend the preview evening on Friday 20th August from 7pm to 9pm to gain first viewing of the artwork and join the artists in a glass of wine and ‘nibbles’. Alternatively visit the main exhibition on either Saturday 21st August from 10am to 5pm and Sunday 22nd August from 10am to 4pm with free admission.

Saturday 21st August Halstead Town Council Summer Fun at Weavers' Court: Ceramic painting from 10am with 100 pieces to be painted

Saturday 21st August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Live Music with RAY 8.30pm

Saturday 21st to Monday 30th August. Lavenham Art Society Annual Art Exhibition to be held in Lavenham Church, Church Street, Lavenham. Open from 9.00am to 7.00pm each day. Admission is free and disabled access is available. Free parking in "Village Hall" car park.

Sunday 22nd August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Harvest Festival Entries in by 1.00pm judging from 1.30pm come and see who can grow the Biggest Veggies also Cakes and Jams, Followed by an Auction, Come and Join the Fun

Sunday 22nd August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Cash Prize Bingo Eyes Down 8pm

Friday 27th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Domino Drive 8pm

Saturday 28th August Halstead Town Council Summer Fun at Weavers' Court: Sleak Balloons with 200 balloons to give away from 10am until supply is exhausted.

Saturday 28th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Family Disco 8.30pm

River Stour Trust’s August Bank Holiday Boating Bonanza on Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th & Monday 30th. An array of manually propelled, electric and steam powered craft are invited to enjoy the 3 mile Sudbury stretch of the River Stour for the River Stour Trust’s 16th Steam, Electric and Boating Festival.
On Saturday, the boat owners and local residents are invited to the River Stour Trust’s Visitor & Education Centre by Great Cornard Lock. There will be lock demonstrations and river trips aboard RST boats with an evening BBQ taking place for participating boat owners and guests later that day (tickets on sale nearer the time).
Please note that there is no parking for vehicles on the site that day but we envisage Friar’s Meadow being a perfect point for a boat shuttle service to operate to and from; and local residents or those able to reach us by other means e.g. walking, cycling are more than welcome. Friar’s Meadow will also be an ideal vantage point to enjoy a variety of craft travelling upstream over the course of the day.
A Friday arrival is best for participating boaters in order to launch and place your boat at its mooring. You will need to arrange this with the River Stour Trust (see contact details below). Mooring is free of charge over the weekend and arrangements can be made for a reduced rate if you wish to stay longer.
On Sunday, activity is centred at Quay Lane to include the River Stour Trust’s headquarters, The Granary, offering a licensed bar, tea room, exhibits and activities (attractions to be advertised as they are confirmed). Inside the Scout HQ, Bassett Lowke will operate their working railway exhibit whilst an additional refreshments area will also be open. A variety of privately owned craft will be on display with a procession scheduled for the afternoon - between Sudbury and Great Henny – that literally ‘brings the river to life’. RST boats will offer river trips between Sudbury and Great Cornard throughout the day.
On Monday, it will be all hands on deck with the River Stour Trust’s Pirates on the Stour event. We are once again offering free boat trips for young pirates (under 12 yrs) when accompanied by a fare paying adult (adult fare is £5.00). No pre-booking and please dress appropriately! Come and join our pirate crew for the day, me hearties!
This event is just one of the many activities organised by volunteers of the River Stour Trust with proceeds going towards the restoration and conservation of the River Stour Navigation.
For more information: visit www.riverstourtrust.org or telephone 01787 313199

August Bank Holiday Weekend, 28, 29 & 30 August. Coggeshall Art Group Annual Exhibition at Hollington Bros. Premises, Church Street, Coggeshall. Over 200 Pieces of art work to view and buy. Small admission charge in aid of local charities. For more information call Maureen Standen 01376 563113

Saturday 28th to Tuesday 31st August, 10am – 5 pm & 11.30am – 5 pm on Sunday. Coggeshall’s 23rd Annual Flower Festival at The Parish Church of St Peter ad Vincula. The 23rd Annual Coggeshall Flower Festival will take place over the August bank holiday weekend in the beautiful church of St Peter ad Vincula, which lies at the heart of the historic town of Coggeshall. A spectacular floral interpretation of horticultural references in the bible includes familiar and some less familiar stories, including the Garden of Eden and Moses in the Bulrushes.
St Peter’s has established a well-deserved reputation for outstanding flower festivals. Preparations for this year’s festival began in November 2009 and over 4,000 blooms will be used to decorate the church. 30 flower arrangers will work over 4 days to put the festival together, creating more than 100 arrangements in 30 displays.
The Festival also offers a treat for music lovers. Musical recitals will take place in the church throughout the weekend and on Saturday 28th August at 7.30 pm there will be a concert given by the Locarno Big Band, with music from the Big Band era (30’s – 50’s) including Glen Miller favourites (tickets £8 and £7.50 concessions). There will also be a ‘Songs of Praise’ style service on Sunday 30th August at 5.15 pm at which visitors will be most welcome.
Delicious home made cakes and light lunches will be available in the church for the duration of the festival and entry is free – although donations towards the upkeep of the church will be warmly welcomed. Last year 2,600 people came to visit the Festival from all over the county, with many taking the opportunity to explore Coggeshall, Eastern England and Home Counties Village of the Year 2003. For further information please contact: Sue Williams on 01376 562367, email sue.williams@ukf.net

Sunday 29th August, Halstead Conservative Social Club - Lunch time Live Music with Mandy from 12 noon. Also Cash Prize Bingo Eyes Down at 8pm

Sunday 29th August & Bank Holiday Monday 30th August. Halstead Cricket Club Real Ale & Cider Festival at the Star Stile Cricket Ground, Sudbury Road, Halstead. Bar Open from 12 Noon on Sunday, 11am on Monday. Live Music by The Victory Jazz Band and a Hog Roast on Sunday, Barbecue on Monday.
PDQ Cricket League Matches
v Great Bromley
from 1 p.m. on Sunday.
v West Mersea from 1 p.m. on Monday.
Admission Free. Children must be accompanied by adults

Bank Holiday Monday 30th August: Car Boot Sale at Quay Theatre, Quay lane, Sudbury. 9.00am-2.pm. All pitches £5. Pre-Book pitches only, please. Tel 01787 374745 or call in at the Theatre Box Office during opening hours. Admission free. Stalls-Refreshments-Bar open

Delphi Ballroom Dance Club. New beginners class starting in September. Lessons under £4. per couple per week. For further information 'phone Sue 01787 227876 or Val 01787 376784

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 1st, 2nd & 3rd September. Halstead Cricket Club Plays host to Second Eleven County Cricket. Essex II v Leicestershire II at their Star Stile Cricket Ground, Colne Engaine Road (off Sudbury Road). Play commences at 10.30 a.m. each day. There is no entrance charge for spectators. Light refreshments and real ales available. Corporate Luncheons available on Thursday 2 September. £30 per head including wine. For further information contact Stuart Berger on 01787 269635

Thursday September 2nd, Lunchtime Concert at the Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula, Coggeshall commencing at 12.30pm: Corrina Dolso (soprano). Admission free; retiring collection. Light lunches available from 12 noon. All proceeds to St Peter’s Church organ appeal

Friday, 3rd September. Halstead Cricket Club 125 Anniversary Dinner & Dance, 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m. Dinner supplied by Curry Cottage. Vegetarian alternative available. Dancing to Back Seat Driver. Dress: Black Tie (Optional). The Dinner and Dance will be limited to 120 guests. Tickets: £25 each. Available from any Club Committee Member

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th September, 10am - 5pm. Essex Heats of British Lawnmower Racing Association Championships, £2 entry. Watch this annual spectacular as lawnmowers race round the track at top speed. All proceeds from this event will go to Essex Air Ambulance.

Saturday 4th September. LINK invites you to come and see MaLoKai's UNBROKEN worship in St Andrew's Church, Halstead at 7pm. This event is set to blast the bats from the belfry! We are encouraging all to come and have fun in the pews with this alternative style. We are hoping to open people's view of what worship is about and show that it doesn't all have to be boring or stuck in tradition. Look out for further LINK events that will be linking worship with all walks of life. You can find us on Facebook!

Saturday, 4 September. Halstead Cricket Club Music Night. Music by two bands. Legend & Fortune, 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m. - Carriages 1 a.m. Chicken & Chips Supper with a vegetarian alternative available. Tickets £10.00 each – now on sale. Available from Chris Roper or Richard Hume.

Thursday 9th September & every Thursday until 9th December 2010 from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Scottish Country Dancing at St John’s Methodist Church Hall, York Road, Sudbury. Advanced and Beginners welcome. Contact Morag 07976 566465

Saturday 11th September. Adults only. Hog Roast & Torchlight Maze Night, £25 inclusive, bookings only. Food @ 7pm with live music, followed by Torchlight Maze. Maze only £5.

Saturday September 11th - Wivenhoe Socety Fun Day. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Saturday 11th September. Toppesfield and Gainsford End Village Show at 2.00pm at St Margaret's School, Toppesfield. Competitive show, Climbing wall, bouncy castle, lots of stalls, games, refreshments, Football match Toppesfield X Veterans. A fantastic afternoon of fun for all the family. Info contact Ann Read 01787 237464

Saturday 11th September. Ruby and Her Horses is coming to St James’s Church, Greenstead Green. This is a true life narrative told by Neil Lanham from stories that were told to him by his Mother Ruby. In the show the audience will be drawn back to the period just before the First World War and then through the agricultural depression of the 1930s. It was, Ruby said, a time when 'If you hadn't got anything you were lucky because you hadn't got the worry of it. For sure as eggs are eggs you'd loose it.'
The narrative is supported by a PowerPoint presentation of Ruby's own photographs, digitally enhanced for the big screen, and each story is followed by an unaccompanied song from Andrew Stannard in his nutbrown East Suffolk voice. Everything you hear on the night will come straight out of the oral tradition, nothing having been taken from books.
'We have had quite a bit of feed back of a very positive nature. The words ‘charming’ ‘enchanting’ ‘riveting’ and suchlike have been used.
Tickets priced £8.00 (including a cold drink) from Ros on 01787 476581, Pat on 01787 472432 or Angela on 01787 472485

Saturday 11th September at 3pm. Jumble Sale in Great Maplestead Village Hall. Admission 20p. Raffle and refreshments. Contributions will be gratefully received by Liz Newton (01787 460379), or by Doreen Faulks (01787 460727) or can be delivered to the Hall from 9am until noon on the morning of the sale. For local collection please ring Doreen from 1st September on (01787 460727). In aid of the Village Hall

Sat 11/Sun 12 Sept. River Stour Trust Event. 12 S2C (Sudbury to the Sea). Weekend canoeing event, camping available

Sunday 12th Septembe. Farleigh Hospice Cycle for Life 2010. ‘Fun, fresh air and fitness- Raise sponsorship and help Farleigh Hospice carry on caring as you Cycle for Life. With the support of MacIntyre Hudson, our 14th annual ‘Cycle for Life’ will be taking place on Sunday 12th September 2010. Cyclists can choose from two scenic rides; a longer 50km route which visits all of the beautiful Essex Rodings, and a shorter 20km route which visits the scenic villages of Pleshy, Great Waltham and Mashbury. Whatever your age or ability ~ you can enjoy the beautiful Essex countryside whilst raising vital funds in support of your local hospice.
Last year over 900 people took part in ‘Cycle for Life’ and raised over £56,000 in sponsorship. This money has played a big part in the funding the care we provide free of charge to local people affected by life-limiting illnesses. As the demand for the services provided by Farleigh Hospice continues to grow each year, we are hoping that with your help, this year’s cycle ride will be bigger and more successful than ever!
Registering for the ride couldn’t be easier. There is a £10 registration fee for adult cyclists and a £5 fee for children under 16 which goes towards the cost of a T-shirt, and the overall administration of the event. Visit www.farleighhospice.org/cycleforlife to register online now, or contact our events team on 01245 457408, or via email at events@farleighhospice.org.
The last date to register for this event is 1st September 2010.

Sunday 12 September. Open Day at Alderford Mill, Alderford Street, Sible Hedingham. The mill will be open to the public from 2 – 5pm. Everyone welcome to come and explore this historic building. Entry is free.

Sunday September 12th - Wivenhoe Socety Crabbing Competition. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Saturday12th September Concert at the Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula, Coggeshall commencing at 7.30pm, Essex Chamber Orchestra

Sunday 12 September 2.00 - 4.30 pm Halstead & District Horticultural Society Early Chrysanthemum, Dahlia and Vegetable Show at Queens Hall, Halstead. Exhibitors Tel: 01376 340805; Come along and be amazed and inspired by the beautiful blooms and award winning vegetables!

Sunday 12th September Boot Sale. Halstead Town Football Club with Halstead in Bloom invite you to a Boot Sale at the Football Club, Rosemary Lane, Halstead. Gates open for sellers at 9am, cost £5.00 per car, £8.00 per van. Buyers welcome from 10am. Bar will be open and refreshments will be available.

Thursday September 16th. Halstead Tea Dances at the Queens Hall, Chipping Hill, 2.00pm to 4.15pm. Touch & Go. Entrance fee £2.50. Raffle 50p a strip. For further details contact Sylvia on 01787 475026.

Thursday September 16th - Wivenhoe Socety ‘Mad Dogs’ production of ‘The Magicians Box’ Wm Loveless Hall. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Saturday 18th September from 11am – 2pm. Earls Colne Church Fair. St Andrews Church in Earls Colne will once again be holding its very popular church fair. On sale will be books, toys, cakes and produce as well as a raffle and games. Proceeds from the sale will go towards building much-needed kitchen and toilet facilities in the church. For more information please visit www.halsteadchurches.co.uk or call Hugh on 01787 222211

Saturday 18 September, 11am – 6pm. Rutland Day. Rutland Water is once again host to Rutland Day and as always the emphasis is on a family fun day out for everyone. This year we are also proud to be able to include the "Rutland Food Festival". Attractions on offer include live music for all the family, a licensed bar and refreshments along with a huge variety of fantastic food to suit all tastes. For the children there will be bouncy castles, face painting, balloon modeling and lots more fun, free activities. The whole day promises to be an entertaining experience for all the family so come along and enjoy yourself on the shores of beautiful Rutland Water. Sykes Lane Car Park Rutland Water Park, Empingham, Oakham, Rutland. Web: www.anglianwater.co.uk/your-area/leisure-activities/

Friday 24 September. Macmillan Cancer Support. The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, 2010. Get together with friends, family and colleagues on Friday 24 September and raise some money for people affected by cancer. Hold a coffee morning with your friends, a garden party with your neighbours or a pub quiz with your colleagues – whatever puts a smile on your mug! Register now. Call 01245 345280 or register online at http://www.macmillan.org.uk/coffeewww.macmillan.org.uk/coffee

Saturday 25th September. River Stour Trust Event. Illuminated Boat Procession at Sudbury. Lighting up the Stour to mark the 13th Anniversary of Cornard Lock

Saturday 25th September, 8pm – 11.30pm. The Headway 1940’s Dance with the Locarno Big Band at Colchester Institute, Sheepen Road. 1940’s uniforms and attire welcome. Prizes for the best 40’s Dress or Uniform. Authentic vintage army vehicles on show. Tickets £15.00 from Headway Essex. Tel: 01206 547616 Email: fundraising@headwayessex.org.uk. Cheques with s.a.e. made payable to Headway Essex

Sunday September 26th - Wivenhoe Socety Riverbank Cleanup. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Saturday 2nd October. Braintree District and Witham Philatelic Society having reached their 40th year, the society is celebrating by hosting a large Essex (AEPS) stamp rally with fair and exhibition in Witham at Spring Lodge Community Centre, Powers Hall End, Witham. The will be a special commemorative smiler sheet on sale at the event. Fair and exhibition opens 10:30am. Admission FREE, with plenty of free parking. The society meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month September - May, Braintree Community Centre Victoria Street Braintree, and every fortnight Thursdays throughout the year at Spring Lodge Community Centre Witham. All meetings start 7:45pm. Activities include, guest speakers, displays, packet circuits, library, competitions, auction, bring and buy. Further information on event contact Secretary 01376 561843.

Thursday October 7th, Lunchtime Concert at the Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula, Coggeshall commencing at 12.30pm: Peter Dollimore (piano). Admission free; retiring collection. Light lunches available from 12 noon. All proceeds to St Peter’s Church organ appeal

Sunday October 10th - Wivenhoe Socety Walk. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Sunday 10th October Boot Sale. Halstead Town Football Club with Halstead in Bloom invite you to a Boot Sale at the Football Club, Rosemary Lane, Halstead. Gates open for sellers at 9am, cost £5.00 per car, £8.00 per van. Buyers welcome from 10am. Bar will be open and refreshments will be available.

Wednesday October 13th - Wivenhoe Socety Talk ‘River Colne – Source to Sea’. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Thursday October 21st Halstead Tea Dances at the Queens Hall, Chipping Hill, 2.00pm to 4.15pm. Dennis & Betty. Entrance fee £2.50. Raffle 50p a strip. For further details contact Sylvia on 01787 475026.

Saturday November 6th - Wivenhoe Socety Craft Fair. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Saturday 13th November. River Stour Trust Event. Christmas Bazaar at Sudbury Town Hall, 10am – 2pm

Thursday November 18th Halstead Tea Dances at the Queens Hall, Chipping Hill, 2.00pm to 4.15pm. Make Love to Life. Entrance fee £2.50. Raffle 50p a strip. For further details contact Sylvia on 01787 475026.

Friday November 19th - Wivenhoe Socety Wine Tasting. Further details www.wivsoc.org.uk or 01206 825622/07708020842

Thursday December 16th Halstead Tea Dances at the Queens Hall, Chipping Hill, 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Mike & Sylvia. Entrance fee £2.50. Raffle 50p a strip. Christmas dance with buffet, wine (or juice) & Christmas Crackers. For further details contact Sylvia on 01787 475026.