On Sunday 25th July, around 200 pre-1970 vehicles will leave Billingsgate Fish Market for the annual Classic Car run to Southend, and will be displayed for the afternoon along the Western Esplanade from the Pier to the Casino from late morning onwards. It is a real nostalgia kick for onlookers with many owners and their navigators dressed in costumes of the eras of their motor vehicles.
Expected to join the Classic line-up are a 1924 Rocket Schneider, a 1934 Singer Saloon, various models of Austins, including a 1935 12/4 Heavy Taxi and an Austin 7 'C' van, Consuls, Morris, Wolsley, Triumph, MG, and many more, all in immaculate condition.
Larger vehicles such as a Dennis 'D' type Fire Engine, and a passenger coach from Canvey Point Transport Museum are also regulars at this massive event.

The dates of the free Concerts at the bandstand in Priory Park for the remainder of July are:
Sunday 11th July - Shoebury School Jazz & Concert Band
Saturday 17th July - The Bryan Williamson Big Band
Sunday 18th July - Tilbury Brass Academy
Saturday 24th July - Gaudemus - Vocal Ensemble
Sunday 25th July - The Melvin Beddow Big Band
Saturday 31st July - The Backtrack Band
Concerts begin at at 3pm, and last for around 90 minutes each. Some lightweight, folded seating will be available, although these are quickly taken, so be prompt if you think you will need one. The Park Café will be open for refreshments.

St. Mary's Horse Refuge Charity is holding its annual Fun-Day fête off Magnolia Road, Rectory Road, Rochford (Behind St. Mary's Church) on Sunday 29th August from 12 noon until 4pm. Attractions will include a boot sale (spaces bookable now at £5/pitch), Bric-a-Brac, tombola, a raffle, face-painting, a great treasure hunt (any donations of copper coins for the hunt would be appreciated), and much more. There will be hot and cold refreshments available, plus a BBQ. Car parking space is ample, and for those not driving, the Arriva Service 8 bus stops right outside the church! Karen is looking for a repeat (if not better!) of last year's event, which was a great success in raising funds for the charity, and gave everybody a fun-day out. Please contact Karen for further details. Pop into the shop at 486 Sutton Road, Southend (along the Victory Parade) or telephone 01702 460760.

The Kingswear Castle, built in 1924, and whose engine is from the original PS of the same name and is 106 years old this year, is the last coal-fired Paddle Steamer in service, and is visiting Southend again this year.
This lovely little lady will be running in from Chatham and offers three short afternoon cruises along the coast from Southend Pier:
22nd July (Thursday) 2pm out back at 3.30pm
5th August (Thursday) 2pm out back at 3.30pm
19th August (Thursday) 2pm out back at 3.30pm
Prices: Adult £12; Concession £11;
Child £8; Group of 10+ £10
Book your tickets online here or take a chance on the day

A new Memorial panel with the names of several servicemen, who had been missed off  the Towns Memorial in the Great Hall of Prittlewell Priory has been produced by the Southend Council, and is being held at the Southend Central Museum until after the restoration of the Priory museum, which is due to be completed in 2011.
The names of the missing servicemen are: Private William James Oliver, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment (1915); Corporal Pearl Victor Harrod, 1st/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment (1921) aged 36; Sapper George Henry Ninnes, Royal Engineers (1920) aged 24; Sergeant Alfred Tanner, Royal Garrison Artillery (1920) aged 30; and Driver Arthur Sidney Blackshaw, 119th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (1921) aged 29.
It is uncertain at this time of writing whether any relatives of the servicemen are aware of this additional new panel, which will be added to the main memorial when the Priory museum re-opens.