The Old Leigh Regatta

The unique combination of sailing races and novelty water events, together with unusual sights of cockle and banana eating contests and football on the mud make this an eagerly awaited event.

This is definately on the cards, the girls will love football in the mud. My eldest will possibly attempt the banana eating competition, she can get 5 profiteroles in her mouth at 13, so watch out banana’s. I doubt any of us will be entering the cockle eating competition.

Sarah

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Leigh Fishing Festival Sunday 31st August 2008

See fishing boats and talk to the fishermen in Old Leigh Town. Find out how fish gets from the sea to your table. Free cockle tasting and various other events demonstrating the connection of man, boat and sea.

11:00am -  5:00pm

Have been to this a few times over the years. As a child I was dragged down to Leigh almost every weekend, and I go to events like this for a nostalgia fest.

This year I shall be taking the girls, and telling them stories of how I visited with my parents.

I will make them try cockles, although I won’t let them try whelks, I still have to forgive my parents for that one… or jellied eels. Sorry just cannot understand the fascination with whelks or jellied eels.

I wonder if they will have the old boys making fishing nets?

Sarah

PS don’t forget the Old Leigh Regatta 13-14th September 2008

Thorndon Park, Brentwood Thursday 28th August

Snug as a Bug. Where would a bug like to live?
2 hours of fun and games in the woods.suitable for accompanied 6 to 12 year olds.
10.30am or 2pm. Donation £4.00 per child.
Pre booking on ALL the family fun days are essential.
01277232944.
Web Link: www.essexwt.org.uk

Kev’s sister in law swears by Thorndon park in Brentwood.

They often have wizards and fairy days, and nature walks, and her kids come back shattered, having had a really good time.

I have yet to go there as my recently adopted dog is a menace to other dogs. As soon as I buy a muzzle, I’ll check it out. In the mean time, I shall just stick to taking him to Epping Forest.

Sarah

South Essex Networking Meet Thursday 4th September 2008

Baiju Solanki from Performance Coaching and Training has organised another of his popular South Essex Networking meet-ups.

The next South Essex meet is on is Thursday 4th September, at 7pm . Please click here to register your attendance.  Location? Strawberry Field pub and restaurant – beside the Big Tesco on the A127, SS26GB,

Registration is free on Ecademy, and you can join Baiju’s South Essex networking group for regular updates.

I have met some very interesting people at these events and they are keen to do business with each other. Kevin has attended these more often, and has met some really great people. Why not drop in and give the group a go?

Sarah

Essex Country Show – 13-14th September 2008

http://www.essexcountryshow.co.uk/

10.00am to 5.00pm, 13th & 14th September

What was once an Essex farming family’s informal gathering of half a dozen steam engines
is now the largest event of its type in the South East, with 35,000 visitors in 2007.
The show, with an emphasis on agricultural history and rural crafts, is now in its 22nd year.If you’re looking for a spectacular, fun packed nostalgic day out for you and all your family
then this show represents excellent value for money.

Whether it’s the size and power of the steam engines – which you can steer yourself -
helicopter rides, specialist food hall, children’s amusements, arena events or the
huge variety of over 200 craft and trade stands, we cater for the whole family.

Why not visit the Essex Country Show and join the captivating atmosphere?

Well, this is another one that I have never attended despite living just up the road in Wickford. I never liked the parking situation. Being a lady who does not like to park in tight gaps, the parking at Barleylands has never been of interest to me. It’s a bit like parking at a car boot sale.

Barleylands on the whole works really hard – arts and crafts centres, farm shops and a popular farmers market.  So if you don’t make the show, it’s still worth visiting.

I thoroughly endorse the Barleylands farm shop, you can pick up some great fruit and veg, that’s all local produce.

Sarah

Essex Air Ambulance Bike Run – September 2008

On Sunday 7th september Essex FM teaming up with Essex Air Ambulance for their annual Bike Run. They have even got presenter Martin on his bike, and he’ll be fronting the event between Dunton and Harwich.

They are also going to be doing an Essex FM Roadshow on the day at the Harwich Family Festival, with some great entertainment and a chance to win goodie bags. There will also be fun for kids, motorcycle display stands, live music and much much more. Starting at 11am, be there to make sure to make sure you don’t miss out.

“This is going to be a fantastic day out for motorbike riders, motorbike fans as well as all Essex FM listeners. Last year the event smashed all previous records with 4,500 bikers taking part and in excess of £35,000 was raised for the county’s life-saving helicopter.”

More about the Essex FM event here

Sarah

Southend Carnival – Saturday 23rd August

Carnivals are a great thing for the local community, and it’s Southend’s turn tomorrow.

Being a former Carnival Princess (Rainham, 1989) I can tell you there is a huge amount of work that goes into these events, and they raise a lot of money for local charities, local playgroups, and local care homes etc. Essex has a fantastic carnival community, and we should support them by going along when we can.

So, back to Southend Carnival

The procession will launching from the junction of Chalkwell Avenue and Crowstone Road at 7.45pm.  It’ll be travelling along Western Esplanade in an easterly direction, passing the Western Esplanade/Shorfield Road Junction at 8pm and arriving at Southend Pier around 8.30pm.  It’ll be finishing on Eastern Esplanade at around 10pm.

www.southend-on-seacarnival.org.uk

This years carnival court

Southend-on-Sea Carnival Association is a voluntary organisation which was formed in 1926. Each year the association organises and runs Southend Carnival which helps local charities and provides countless amenities to various local organisations.

There is a collection at the Procession for different organisations supported by Carnival. This year the Association is supporting Havens Hospices, a charity which has touched the lives of many residents in Southend. The extended length of Carnival week and higher profile of the Procession gives the Association the opportunity to raise more funds for its beneficiaries.

So, if you can pop along and see the Southend carnival, you should. Back when I was involved, this was one our favourites.

Sarah

The Orsett show – 6th September 2008

http://www.orsettshow.co.uk/

The Orsett Show is one of the oldest one-day Country Shows in England, having celebrated its 100th Show in 2006. Set in 30 acres of countryside, the annual Orsett Show is a great day out with plenty for all the family to see and do.

How to get to Orsett, well It’s just up the road from me, in Stanford Le Hope, but I expect you would prefer better directions! The Orsett Showground is situated in the village of Orsett near Grays, Essex.  It’s just off the A13 at the A128 junction.

Orsett is a stunning village, if you fancy a drive and a pub lunch, this is an ideal location.

“The whole day is packed with great things to see and do including dog shows, motorcycle display teams, clown displays, farm animals, helicopter rides and loads more.

The Imps Motorcycle Display Team will be showing their breath-taking, world famous motorcycle spectacular.  With a team of 40, watch them rev up their engines, jump through fire and make you gasp in amazement at their array of tricks.

The Dog Display will not only round up sheep – but geese and ducks too!  Children will be invited in the arena as the dogs work the ducks around an obstacle course, down a slide and into a pool.

There will be over 100 trade and craft stands exhibiting a whole range of products and activities.  There’s also a fairground, birds of prey, other displays and so much more.”

Martin and Su, Essex FM

Looks like an event thats good fun for the whole family. Advance tickets can be ordered here, but you have to hurry, hurry, hurry!

Sarah Arrow

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Welcome to my Essex blog

Introducing the Essex Girl, who writes this blog. I am a mum of three daughters, and no I don’t wear white stilletoes (it’s summer, have you tried wearing them in the summer?). I work for my partners courier company, Arrow Light Haulage, and we are getting married in November. We are both 35. Does that make me too old to be an Essex Girl?

Essex is one really gorgeous county, with lots going on.

The purpose of this blog is to round up what is going on in the County and link back to is, a sort of resource for those that are in and around Essex often.

I will also add my personal reviews, and welcome others who wish to do the same.

Sarah

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