IT'S the weekend again and we've put together a few things to keep you busy.

1. THE 29th annual Essex Country Show will take place this weekend.

The event, at Barleylands Farm Park, in Billericay, will feature demonstrations from steam engines, vintage vehicles and modern machinery.

There will also be gravity defying motorbike displays, sing-a-longs and jousting tournaments.

It will take place on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13.

For more information, call 01268 290228 or visit www.barleylands.co.uk.

2. A FUNDRAISING event is being held to help a 12-year-old boy suffering with severe epilepsy.

Brandon Collins, aged 12, from Manchester Drive, Leigh, had epilepsy as a baby, but is lucky to be alive after catching meningitis when he was ten, leaving him with 85 per cent brain damage.

Thanks to Great Ormond Street Hospital he pulled through, but his family now needs help to care for him at home.

A charity event is being held this Saturday at Great Wakering community centre from 11am to 4pm to raise funds to get a safe bed for Brandon.

It is a fun day with stalls, raffles, face painting and lots more.

Shelby Collins, Brandon’s mum, said: “It was really bad, we didn’t know if he was going to live. His epilepsy has now deteriorated and he has to be in a wheelchair, as he has spasms and his legs drop. It was a heartbreaking decision, but he now has the wheelchair full time.

“We now have a downstairs bedroom for him. A special bed will be safer for him to sleep in as it is all zipped up because he can often fall out of bed in his sleep.”

3. HAVENS Hospice will host a party on Saturday to celebrate the opening of a new charity shop.

The store in Southernhay, Basildon, was first unveiled on Monday.

For more information, visit havenshospices.org.uk.

4. A FUNDRAISER will be held in aid of a Benfleet woman this weekend.

Lucy Watts, 21, of Swans Green Close, suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic condition which affects collagen, the connective tissues which provide support in skin, tendons, ligaments and bones.

She wants to raise £27,000 for a custom-made electric chair to help her become more independent.

She has already raised £10,000.

A ladies night will be held at Green Oasis Cafe, in Hart Road, Thundersley, from 7pm on Saturday.

There will be a buffet, raffle and Body Shop party.

For tickets, which cost £10 per person, email lucyalexandriawatts@hotmail.co.uk

5. A WEDDING show will be held at the Brentwood Centre. Admission £8, under 16s and over 65s free.

Fashion shows at 11am - 12.15pm and 1.30pm to 2.45pm. The show will also take place on Sunday, September 13. For details visit brentwoodcentre.co.uk

6. PET owners are invited to get their cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters blessed at a special ceremony this weekend.

The service will take place at St Barnabas Church, in Church Road, Hadleigh, from 10.30am on Sunday.

It follows the success of the first mass pet blessing at the church last year.

Larger animals can be blessed in the church grounds.

For more information, call 01702 558591.

7. HIGH House Production Park is holding a Heritage Open Day with talks about the site’s history, the Royal Opera House and Backstage Centre, 10am to 4pm on Saturday, free entry at High House Farm, Purfleet.

8. A PUPPET show is looking to take children on a mystical journey this weekend.

Hosted by Rochford District Council Arts and presented by Garlic Theatre families are invited to enjoy clowning, mime and beautifully crafted puppets at the Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh.

The show is called Shoe Kangaroo and the Big Bad Boot. There are tickets left for the matinee performance on Sunday September,13, at 2pm at £4 each. For more information or to book tickets, call 01702 318191.

9. BILLERICAY Arts Association is holding an enrolment morning for its autumn classes on Saturday.

Visitors are invited to come along to The Fold, at 72 Laindon Road, between 10am and noon, for refreshments and to view the group’s annual exhibition. For more information, call 01277 659286 or email baathefold@yahoo.co.uk

10. RUNNERS will take on a 10k route in aid of Canvey Rotary.

The fun run will take place on Sunday, September 13, from 10.15am from the Labworth car park.

Road closures will be in place between 10.15am and 10.45am between the roundabout from the southern end of Furtherwick Road by Bumble Bee Park, to the junction of Ferndale Crescent and Thorney Bay Road.

Up to 150 runners are expected to take part in the run with all money going to the rotary fund. Entry will be open on the day.