A lot has been happening across south Essex this week, here's a few news items that might have passed you by.

1. FLOWER arrangers will learn about spring blooms at their next meeting.

Benfleet Floral Art will meet at Richmond Hall, in Richmond Avenue, Benfleet, at 7.30pm on Wednesday, April 22.

Gill McGregor will give a demonstration called spring forth.

New members are welcome.

For more information, call 01268 751216.

2. AN application to demolish a house to build four chalets in Laindon has been approved.

A previous application for three chalets at 82A Railway Approach had been granted in 2006, but the applicant sought permission for an extra building.

The development will have a new private drive.

Basildon Council has granted outline permission. Developers must submit a detailed application for the site within three years.

3. FAMILIES are invited on a woodland walk.

Essex Wildlife Trust will hold a family fun day at St Michaels Church hall and green, in Bramble Road, Daws Heath, from noon until 5pm, on Sunday, April 26.

The fun day will feature Robin Hood-themed treasure trails, performances and bluebell viewing. Entrance and parking is free. For more information, call 07804 124806.

4. A PRE-school has been praised by Ofsted.

Inspectors rated Rainbow Pre-School, based in Wickford Memorial Park, as “good” after an unannounced visit last month.

Staff were praised for their high-quality teaching, strong leadership and caring approach to managing children’s behaviour.

Inspectors also found children were kind and played together harmoniously, and parents were supportive of the pre-school.

Rainbow Pre-School offers morning and afternoon sessions and has 72 children on its roll.

5. SOUTH Essex Natural History Society is presenting a talk at the Beecroft Gallery, in Victoria Avenue, Southend, between 7pm and 9pm on April 30.

Dr Roger Draycott, from the Game and Wildlife Trust, will speak on wildlife conservation.

To book a place, call Miss Wortley on 01702 588115.

6. A FARMERS’ market will take place in Leigh next week.

Fresh produce will be sold from Leigh Community Centre in Elm Road, between 9am and noon on April 25.

Call 01702 716288 for details.

7. NEARLY 250 runners have signed up to run in aid of Southend homeless charity Harp.

Harp24 takes place from noon on Saturday, June 27, until noon on Sunday, June 28, and will see runners attempt a round-the-clock challenge.

To take part visit www.

harpsouthend.org.uk or e-mail catherine.hodgson@harp southend.org.uk

8. SOUTHEND Museum will host a talk on the London Shipwreck project later this month.

Assistant curator of archaeology Luisa Hagele will talk about the London project on Thursday, April 23, from 12.30pm until1pm.

Entry costs £2, no booking is needed. The talk takes place at the museum in Victoria Avenue, Southend.

9. POLICE are investigating after thieves broke into a storage container at Barleylands farm in Billericay.

Crooks got into the containers by cutting the locks with bolt cutters.

The break-in happened between 11pm on March 26 and 9.45am on March 28.

It is not yet known what was stolen.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Essex Police on 101.

10. STROKE patients and their families can influence hospital care at a meeting with staff.

Basildon Hospital’s stroke user group will meet at the hospital’s education centre from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Thursday, April 23.

Members can meet other people with similar experiences and find out about developments in local stroke services.

For more information, email beth.smyth@btuh.nhs.uk.