Thursday, August 9

Ballroom Dancing. Newcomers, particularly single people, welcome. Music/dancing to suit everyone. Come and make friends. 8-10.30pm. Lourdes Hall, Marguerite Drive, Leigh. 01702 475452

Table in Outpatients' Department of Southend Hospital. Bric-a-brac, books, videos, toys and lots more. In aid of StrokeBusters. 7.30am-3.30pm. 01702 586697

Itsy Bitsy Afternoon presented by the Duke of Pitsea. Basildon Retirement Fellowship, Pitsea. Visitors welcome for two meetings, admission 80p. Main Hall, Pitsea Leisure Centre, Maydells, Pitsea. 01268 553902

Five-mile evening walk via Clements Hall Leisure Centre. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 7pm. Ashingdon Memorial Hall. 01702 546824

Art Class. All aspects of painting and drawing. Beginners welcome. First session free. Organised by Paul Alcock. 10am-12noon. Westcliff United Reformed Church, corner of King's Road/Mount Avenue, Westcliff. 01702 615475

Beginners Hatha Yoga. Shambhala Studios, 11-noon. 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Leigh. 01702 478924

Yoga. 6-7:30pm. Suitable for all levels and abilities. Shambhala Studios, Unit 11, Leighcliff Buildings, Maple Avenue, Leigh

Nearly New Sale. 9.30-noon. St Mary's Hall, Victoria Avenue, Southend. Bargain stalls and refreshments, admission free.

In aid of St Mary's Church, Prittlewell. 01702 545889

Charity Table. Bric-a-brac, books, videos, toys and lots more. In aid of StrokeBusters. 7.30am-3.30pm. Outpatients, Southend Hospital. 01702 586697

Wheelchair Dancing. Ballroom, Latin and social dancing. Therapeutic afternoon for all disabilities. 1.30-3.30pm. St Cedd's Church, Bridgwater Drive, Westcliff. 01702 477697 or 01268 545988

Four-mile walk. Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Chartwell, Westerham, Kent. Free parking. 01702 206252 or 07840 772329

Buddies Social Evening. For 50-plus single people. Buddies Social Club. 8.30pm. Anchor pub, Benfleet. 01268 273510

Friday, August 10

Archery. Furtherwick Park School, Furtherwick Road, Canvey. 10-noon. For ages 8-plus. Price: £5, Taught by fully qualified coaches. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

Salsa Lessons and Club/Party Night with Salsa Chillout. Guest instructor Steve Eden. 18 years to grandparents. £8.50 guests/£7.50 members. 8.30pm-1pm. The (Wooden) Hut, 24 High Street, Stanford-le-Hope. 07974 123567

Feel The Force (Science Museum event). Castle View School, Meppel Avenue, Canvey. 12.30-1.30pm. Ages: 7-11 yrs. Price: £2 per child. Join Phil the Stunt Frog and take an exciting look at the world of forces. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

Hot Air Balloons (Science Museum event). Castle View School, Meppel Avenue, Canvey. 2.30-3.30pm. Ages: 7-11 yrs. Price: £2 per child. Learn how hot air balloons work. Make one yourself and launch it. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

The Piped Piper (Science Museum event). Castle View School, Meppel Avenue, Canvey. 11-noon. Ages: 3-7 yrs. Price: £2 per child. A fun filled storytelling pantomime which everyone will love. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

Drawing Old Leigh. Bring sketchbook and pencils. £4.50 per session. 10am-12.30pm. Meet by Osborne's Cafe, Old Leigh. Paul Alcock 01702 615475

Tai Chi - Yang tradition. Shambhala studios 9.30-11pm. 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Leigh. 01702 478924

Couples Yoga. Take some time to reconnect with your partner. Shambhala Studios 8-9.30 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Leigh. 01702 478924

Salsa Lessons and Club/Party Night. 18 years to grandparents. With Steve Eden. £8.50 guests/£7.50 members. Salsa Chillout. 8.30pm-1pm. Wooden Hut, 24 High Street, Stanford. 07974 123567

Free Volunteer/Mental Health Training in Rayleigh. Friday mornings in August. All sessions free. Must be booked. Volunteer opportunity at end of training dependent on references. 01702 343222

Saturday, August 11

Rayleigh History Walk. £2 (National Trust members £1). Rayleigh National Trust. 3pm. Starts from Rayleigh Windmill, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh. 01268 775328

11-mile walk in Roxwell area. Pub lunch. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 9.15am. Victoria Road car park, Rayleigh. 01245 354069

Open Garden. Come and enjoy a cream tea in a lovely garden. Lots of stalls. £1 admission. In aid of Cat Action Trust. 1.30-4.30pm. 12 Hill Road, South Benfleet. 01702 477163

Life Drawing Class. £7 per session. Ring to book a place. 10am-noon. Art Studio, 147-149 South Avenue, Southchurch. Paul Alcock 01702 615475

Family Yoga. All ages. Adults £6 Children £4. Under 2s Free. No more than three children per adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child. Shambhala studios 6-7.15, 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Leigh. 01702 478924

Coffee Morning and Mini Sale. From 9.30am. Wickford Salvation Army, Jersey Gardens. 01268 733495

Four-mile walk. Pub lunch. Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Duke's Head pub, Hatfield Broad Oak. 01245 223657

Open Garden. Lots of stalls including cakes, plants, toys, fancy goods, books, tombola and cream teas and refreshments. £1 admission. In aid of Cat Action Trust. 1.30-4.30pm. 12 Hill Road, Benfleet

Evening of Clairvoyance. With Carol Bohmer. All welcome. Refreshments available. £4.50 admission. 7.30pm. St Matthew's Christian Spiritualist Church, 16 Clarence Road, Southend

Classic Military Vehicle and Aircraft Show. Flights, stalls, arena events, displays, tank running, 40s entertainer. 10am-5pm. Also Sunday. Essex Area Military Vehicle Trust. Damuns Hall Aerodrome, Aveley Road, Upminster. 01702 523457

Visit to South Shoebury Hall Garden. Refreshments available. £2.50 on day. Shoebury Society. 2-4.30pm. South Shoebury Hall, Church Road, adj St Andrew's Church Hall, Shoebury. 01702 299022

Summer Fete. Tombola, bric-a-brac, raffle, guess teddy's name. Supporting resident activities fund. 2-4pm. Memory House, 6-9 Marine Parade, Leigh. 01702 478245

Sunday, August 12

Modern Sequence Tea Dance. 2-4.30pm. St Cedd's Church Hall, Bridgwater Drive, Westcliff. 01702 293794

Horse Show. Colette's Horse Show and Gymkhana for children and novice riders. 9am-4pm. Ingatestone Hall, Ingatestone. 01277 710558

Garden Opening. Proceeds from admission to the garden only to the Red Cross. Adults £3, conc £2, under 12s free. Entrance to house £2 supplement for over 5s. 1-6pm. Ingatestone Hall, Ingatestone. 01245 490090

Nine and half-mile walk around Fingringhoe and River Colne area. Pub stop - bring food. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 9am. Sainsbury's Rayleigh Weir car park, Rayleigh. 01702 479053

Donkey Day. Rides, demonstrations, games, prizes and stalls. In aid of Donkey Sanctuary. 10.30am. Marsh Farm Country Park, South Woodham Ferrers. 01245 321552

Allotment Summer Show. Produce, preserves, barbecue, bric-a-brac, music and lots more. From 2pm. Westcliff Allotments, Springfield Drive, Westcliff. 01702 472539

Four-mile walk. Pub lunch. Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Bell Inn pub, Castle Hedingham. 01268 559246

Scrapbook Extravaganza. Learn how to organise and preserve your photos, to create decorative memory albums or just drop in and browse at the bargains.

Suitable for new or experienced crafters. 10am-5pm Millennium Community Centre, (Baddow Rd), Great Baddow. £1 entry fee inc tea/coffee

Laurel and Hardy Evening. Fun for all the famil. Classic comedies, memorabilia, raffle and more. £3 non-members, under 16s free. In aid of Saps at Sea. 5.30-9.30pm. Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, Southend. 01702 526187

Dutch Cottage Open. Northwick Corner, Canvey. 2.30-5pm. Free.

John Downer, Secretary, Benfleet Historical Society. 01268 753487

11-mile walk. Pub stop. Basildon Greenway Ramblers. Meet 8.45am. Somerfields car park off Wickford High Street, for car share to Raydon. 01268 472295

Sponsored Teddy Bear Parachute Jump. Teddies, dollies, cuddly toys welcome to parachute from church roof. Registration 11.45am, 50p each. Certificate/sticker for completed jumps. Tea/coffee/cake available. Noon. Crowstone St George's URC, Crowstone Road, Westcliff. 01702 584297

Monday, August 13

Have a Field Day. Lake View Hall, Winter Gardens School, Hilton Road, Canvey. 11-3pm. For all ages. Price: £2 per child. A fun filled day for all ages, circus skills, bouncy castle, games, crafts and much more. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

Summer School for Performing Arts. Music, dance, drama, visual arts, stage make-up, circus skills, magic skills, African drumming and more. For children and young people aged 8-upwards. £45, conc £35 for the week course until Friday August 17. St Bernard's High School, Milton Road, Westcliff. 01702 588700 or 541595

Line Dance Class. Intermediate/improver. Warm and friendly welcome awaits you. 10.30-11.30am. St Luke's Church Hall, St Luke's Road, Southend. 01702 614605

Line Dance Class. Intermediate/improver. Warm and friendly welcome awaits you. 7pm. St Luke's Church Hall, St Luke's Road, Southend. 01702 614605

Talk Joyce Grenfell by Jean Nightingale. Westcliff Alexander Townswoman's Guild meet every second Monday of the month. New members and guests welcome. 2pm. Westcliff Free Church (side hall), 635 London Road, Westcliff. 01702 305467

Pilates Class. 8.15-9.15pm, qualified instructor. Bring a towel. £4. Greensward Fitness Centre, Greensward Lane, Hockley. 07990513413

New Advanced Sequence Dance Class. Learn the latest inventive dances. £2.50. 3-4pm. Runnymede Hall, Benfleet. 01268 754958

Yoga. Promotes health and well-being. 7-8pm. Laindon Community Centre, Aston Road, Laindon. 01268 466641

Tuesday, August 14

Family Cookery. Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey. 10-noon. One adult and up to 2 children. Price: £5 per family. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

Table Top Sale. Books, videos, bric-a-brac and much more. Helping support people with lung problems. BreatheEasy Southend. 8.30am-4pm. Outpatients Foyer, Southend Hospital. 01702 465978

Meeting. Buttsbury (Billericay) Women's Institute 8.15pm. Canon Roche Hall, Laindon Road, Billericay. 01277 622938

Modern Line Dancing. Fun way to exercise and socialise. All types of music. All welcome. Starlight Line Dance Club. Beginners 7-8pm. Intermediates 8-11pm. Paddocks, Long Road, Canvey. 07931 370544

Wildlife Discovery Day. 10.30am to 3pm. Pond Detectives. For unaccompanied 8-12 year olds. £8 donation per child. Booking essential. In aid of Essex Wildlife Trust.

Langdon Visitor Centre, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, SS16 6EB

Pilates Class. 10-11am. Qualified instructor. Bring a towel. £4. Silver Dragons, Unit 21, Foundry Business Park, Station Approach, Hockley. 07990 513413

Four-mile walk. Pub lunch. Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Bakers Arms pub, Stock. 01245 329170

Five-mile walk. Basildon Greenway Ramblers. Meet 10am. Salvation Army tea rooms car park, Castle Lane, Hadleigh. 01268 767231

Social Evening. Visitors £2 includes refreshments. Westcliff Crowstone (Eve) Townswomen's Guild. 7.30pm. Westcliff Library, London Road, Westcliff. 01702 521491

Yoga for All. Qualified instructor. £6 per class. 5.30-7pm. Village Hall, High Road, Horndon on the Hill. 07956 600795

Kids' Yoga. Come and join our yoga adventures. 5.30-6.15pm. War Memorial Hall, Canvey. 01268 466641

Yoga. Promotes health and well-being. 6.25-7.25pm. War Memorial Hall, Canvey. 01268 466641

Wednesday, August 15

Mother and Toddlers' Artfull Splodgers. Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Road, Canvey. 10-11am for preschool children at a cost of £3. 11-1pm for children aged 5-11 at a cost of £7. Enjoy creative activities provided by the company Artfull Splodgers. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

Pardners Country Music Club. Featuring Luke and Jody. Dance or just sit and listen. 7.30-11pm. Clarence Rooms, above Conservative Club, Clarence Street, Southend. 01702 232114

Five and half-mile walk via Lion Creek. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 10am. Canewdon shop, park in village. 01702 526079

Ten and half-mile walk. Wicken Bonhunt, Rickling, Quendon. Pub lunch. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 9am. Sainsbury's Rayleigh Weir car park, Rayleigh. Park in High Street near Fleur-de-Lys PH, Widdington. 01702 335501

Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. Social Afternoons. Speakers, Refreshments etc. 2-4pm. Balmoral Community Centre, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff. 01702 342426

Four-mile Feast Walk. East Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Windmill pub, (off A131 just north A130) Chatham Green. 01245 477143 or 07931 185155

Floral Demonstration by Patricia Bolton. Raffle of demonstration arrangements. £3 admission. Southend Floral Group. 7.30pm. United Reformed Church Hall, Central Avenue, Southend. 01702 341529

Meet up with other 50-plus single people. Enjoy future social events and make new friends. Ladies and men welcome. Theatre, discos, dinners, lunches. To book call 01268 783351

Four-mile walk. Pub lunch. Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Windmill pub, Chatham Green. 01245 477143

Talk. Is your dog frightened of fireworks?. Free. Open to all. Cherrydown Veterinary Group. 8pm. 53 Cherrydown West, Basildon. Call 01268 533636

Dutch Cottage Open. Northwick Corner, Canvey. 2.30-5pm. Free. John Downer, Secretary, Benfleet Historical Society. 01268 753487

Talk and slides of Rayleigh. By Mike Davies. Visitors and new members welcome to meet new friends. Castle Point and District Stroke Club. 2-4pm. Runnymede Hall, Kiln Road, Thundersley. 01268 780701

Relaxing Yoga. Promotes well-being and relaxation. 2-3.30pm. St Martin's Church Hall, St Martin's Square, Basildon Town Centre. 01268 466641

Thursday, August 16

Ballroom Dancing. Newcomers, particularly single people, welcome. Music/dancing to suit everyone. Come and make friends. 8-10.30pm. Lourdes Hall, Marguerite Drive, Leigh. 01702 475452

Table in Outpatients' Department of Southend General Hospital. EBric-a-brac, books, videos, toys and lots more. In aid of StrokeBusters. 7.30am-3.30pm. 01702 586697

Five-mile evening walk in Cherry Orchard Jubilee Park area. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 6.45pm. Morrisons' car park, Western Approaches. 01702 511765

Solo Salsa Class. Beginners welcome. Dallas Academy. 7.30-9pm. St David's Church Hall, Rayleigh Road, Eastwood. 01702 462932

Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. Social afternoons. Speakers, Refreshments etc. 2-4pm. Parish Council Rooms, West Street, Rochford. 01702 342426

Four-mile walk. Pub lunch. Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Black Bull pub, Fyfield. 01277 899776

Family Nature Day-Ugly Bug Ball.

10am-noon. Suitable for children of all ages accompanied by an adult. £4 donation per child, adults free. Booking essential. In aid of Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Visitor Centre, Third Avenue, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon

Family Nature Day-Badger Trail.

2pm-4pm. Suitable for children of all ages accompanied by an adult. Booking essential. £4 donation per child, adults free. In aid of Essex Wildlife Trust. Langdon Visitor Centre, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon

Yoga. 6-7:30pm. Suitable for all levels and abilities. Shambhala Studios, Unit 11, Leighcliff Buildings, Maple Avenue, Leigh

Nearly New Sale. 9.30am-noon. St Mary's Hall, Victoria Avenue, Southend. Bargain stalls and refreshments. Admission free. In aid of St Mary's Church, Prittlewell.

Three-mile evening walk. Around Norsey Wood. Meet 7pm. Basildon Greenway Ramblers. Lake Meadows car park, off Radford Way, Billericay. 01277 654626

Yoga. Promotes health and well-being. 7-8pm. Laindon Community Centre, Aston Road, Laindon. 01268 466641

Friday, August 17

Jewellery Making. Northwick Park Primary School, Third Ave, Canvey. 10-noon. Ages: 8-plus. Price: £3 per child. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235.

Little Egret Watch. As they fly in to roost and get close-up views with the available telescopes. The pathways are uneven and you are advised to bring a torch. Everyone welcome. Admission free. 8pm-dusk. Two Tree Island, Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve, Leigh. 01702 557971

Family Nature Day-Ducks a Dabbling.

10am-noon. Suitable for children of all ages accompanied by an adult. £4 donation per child, adults free. Booking essential. In aid of Essex Wildlife Trust. Langdon Visitor Centre, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon

Family Nature Day-Nifty Newt Fun.

2pm-4pm. Suitable for children of all ages accompanied by an adult. £4 donation per child, adults free. Booking essential. In aid of Essex Wildlife Trust. Langdon Visitor Centre, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon

Annual Exhibition of Local Art and Crafts. Christ Church, Wickford (next to Somerfields). 9.30am-pm. Also Monday, August 20. In aid of Christ Church funds.

Refreshments available. 01268 733932