Thursday, August 23

Yoga. 7-8pm. Laindon Community Centre, Aston Road, Laindon. 01268 466641 Bingo and August Tea. National Health Service Retirement Fellowship Meeting Basildon and Thurrock branch. 1.45pm. Village Hall, Orsett. 01375 371284 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 Weaving. With the Art Factory. Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey. 10-noon. Ages: 8-plus. Price: £7. Call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235 Ballroom Dancing. Newcomers, particularly single people looking for company will be made welcome. Music/dancing to suit everyone. Come and make friends. 8-10.30pm. Lourdes Hall, Marguerite Drive, Leigh. 01702 475452 Music Just for You with Joyce Robertson and Tom. Basildon Retirement Fellowship, Pitsea. Visitors welcome for two meetings, admission 80p. Main Hall, Pitsea Leisure Centre, Maydells, Pitsea. 01268 553902 Three-and-a-half-mile evening walk in Shopland area. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 6.45pm. Southend Leisure Centre, Garons Park, Southend. 01702 526079 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 Buddies Social Evening. For 50-plus single people. Buddies Social Club. 8.30pm. Anchor pub, Benfleet. 01268 273510 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. 01702 478924

Friday, August 24

Collage (environmental influences) with the Art Factory. Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey. 10-noon. Ages: 8-plus. Price: £7. Create a fabric collage, study the environment, recycling, using stitches. For more information call Pat from the Canvey Schools Partnership on 07867 787235 Tai Chi. Yang tradition. Shambhala Studios 9.30-11am. 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 478924 Lunchtime Music. Featuring Unit Six, an upcoming percussion and piano duo. 1pm-1.45pm. St Thomas Parish Church, St Thomas Road, Brentwood. 01277 218121

Saturday, August 25

Craft Market. Local art and crafts. Free admission, free car park. 10am-1pm. Hullbridge Community Centre, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge. 01702 233441 Adult Boxing. Weekly. All abilities welcome. 12.30-2.30pm. Freestyle, 457 London Road, Westcliff. 07742 727931 Family Fun Day. Stalls, games, tombolas, barbecue and much more. In support of Unicef. Noon-4pm. Benfleet Tavern, Richmond Avenue, Benfleet. 01268 882031 Rayleigh History Walk. £2 (National Trust members £1). Rayleigh National Trust. 3pm. Starts from Rayleigh Windmill, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh. 01268 775328 Craft Market. Variety of art/craft stalls. Free admission. Free car park. 10am-1pm. Hullbridge Community Centre, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge. 01702 233441 12-mile walk. South Godstone to Outwood. Pub drink stop. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 8.30am. John Burrows Recreation Ground car park, Rectory Road opp Poors Lane, Hadleigh. 01702 343822 Four-mile walk. East Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30pm. Hare and Hounds pub, Grange Hill Road (A131), High Garrett. 01245 226684 or 07884 438201 Lib Dem Surgery. 10am-noon. Councillors Carole Roast and Ted Lewin will be there to address concerns. Eastwood Community Centre, near Morrisons Supermarket, Western Approaches Four-mile undulating walk. Pub lunch. Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. Fox and Hounds pub by railway bridge, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse. 01268 768546 or 07967 770836 Table Top Sale. Noon-2pm. 129 Chesterfield Avenue, Benfleet

Sunday, August 26

Family Fun Day. Barbecue, bouncy castle, Morris dancers and more. Blanchfields bar, 1 Southend Road, Rochford. 01702 544015 Fun day. In Aid of Little Havens Children's Hospice. Bouncy castle, walk the plank, coconut shy, hook the duck, face painting, tombola, and spin the wheel. 2pm. Zach Willsher pub, Church Road, Thundersley

Monday, August 27

Horticultural Show. Staged by Allotment Society. Refreshments plus Ploughman's lunches. 50p admission. 1-4pm. Community Centre, Old School, Great Wakering. 01702 218359 Summer Fete. Toys, books, puzzles, tombola, cat things. In aid of Cats Protection. 1-6pm. Barstable Club, off Long Riding, Basildon. 01268 543283 Garden Fete. Various stalls including bric-a-brac, tombola, games, live music and refreshments. For Nestuda House. 10.30am-4.30pm. Nestuda House, Grovewood Avenue, Leigh. 01702 524006.Open Gardens Day. Eight gardens in Leigh and surrounding area. Activities/refreshments available in all gardens. 10am-4pm. Various locations - details in programmes. £3, £5 couple, £6 families. For programmes call 01702 428716

Tuesday, August 28

Big Art. Wildlife Discovery Day. 10.30am to 3pm. Langdon Visitor Centre, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon. For unaccompanied 8-12 year olds. Donation £8 a child. Booking essential. 01268 419103 11-mile walk. Rochford and Castle Point Ramblers. 10am Meet at Haybridge Basin car park for a circular walk to Goldhanger, including a stretch of the Blackwater sea-wall. No hills. Lunch stop at The Chequers Inn, Goldhanger, or bring a packed lunch. Essential to phone beforehand. Ring Mike on 01702 552630 Tai Chi. at Shambhala studios 8.00 - 9.30 pm 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 478 924 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 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 Four-mile walk. Pub lunch. Meet 10.30am. Shepherd and Dog pub, Crays Hill, nr Billericay. 01268 734019 Rayleigh Horticultural Society Club Night. Speaker Peter Morris "Vegetable Growing and Showing". St Michael's Church Hall, Sir Walter Raleigh Drive, Rayleigh (off London Road). 8-10pm. 50p members, £1 non members, includes tea or coffee.Five-mile walk. Basildon Greenway Ramblers. Meet 10am. Little Warley Common car park, off Childerditch Lane, Warley. 01708 220869 Social Tea Dance. 2pm. St Cedd's Church hall, Bridgewater Drive. Westcliff. Friendly group. Singles (especially men) and couples welcome. 01268 770772/01702 219640

Wednesday, August 29

Castle Point and District Stroke Club. Come along and have fun and make new friends with stroke survivors and their carers. 2-4pm. Runnymede Hall, Kiln Road, Thundersley. 01268 780701 Puppet Making Workshop. Puppet making for school ages £3. 10-11.45am and 1.30-3.30pm. Karaoke Puppet Show - doors 11.45am for noon. Bring own lunch. Finishing with disco party. Need to book. St Michael's Church hall, Bramble Road, Daws Heath. 01702 553087 or 07974 277423 Simply Friends. Single 38-plus Social Club. Start a new social life with lots of new friends. Come along and meet us. 9pm to late. Bread and Cheese pub, London Road, Benfleet. 01268 514224 Pardners Country Music Club. Featuring JC King. Dance or just sit and listen. 7.30-11pm. Clarence Rooms, above Conservative Club, Clarence Street, Southend. 01702 232114 Five-mile walk through countryside and along sea wall. Optional pub lunch at end. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 10am. Punchbowl pub, Paglesham. 01702 206149 Eight-mile walk. Writtle Village Green, Highlands Park, Kings Wood, then back to Writtle. Bring refreshments. Pub at end of walk. South East Essex Ramblers. Meet 9.15am. Sainsbury's Rayleigh Weir car park, Rayleigh. 01268 780618 Four-and-a-half-mile walk. East Essex Friends Ramblers. Meet 10.30am. The Bull pub, Maldon Road (B1022), Great Totham South. 01621 892587 Bowling for the Disabled. We are looking for ambulant people with own transport to play bowls. No experience necessary. 11am-2pm. Stoneyhill Bowls Club, Brentwood Road, Herongate (just off A127). 01268 554449 Lunch Time Sivananda Yoga. 1.00-2.00, at Shambhala studios 11 Leighcliff Buildings, Leigh-on-Sea 01702 478924