Essex Prepares For Olympics

22 July 2011, 06:00

Events are being held around the county as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend Challenge.

The idea is to encourage more of us to try something new with nearly a year to go until the Olympics gets underway in July 2012.

BMX Open Weekend

An open day of rider sessions at the Braintree BMX club open to all from beginners to experts.
When: - Saturday 23rd July
10:00 - 11:00 Open to all
11:30- 13:30 Club experts
14:00 - 15:00 Novice
15:15-17:15 Intermediate
Where: Braintree BMX Track, Deanery Corner off Panfield Lane, Bocking Braintree CM7 5BJ
Admission: Free for spectators and parking. £5 per training session

Braintree Marxmen March for the Olympics

Local youth marching band bringing awareness of music to the Olympics.
When: Saturday 23rd July - 2.30pm
Where: Great Notley, Braintree
Admission: Free

Hedingham Olympics Legacy Weekend

Sport, Fun and Games for all ages.
When: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July - 12noon onwards (both days).
Where: The recreation ground, Sible Hedingham, Halstead

Archery taster day

Have a go at Archery.
When: Saturday 23rd July  - 09.45 -11.15, 12.00 - 13.30, 14.30 - 16.00
Where: Mill Road Rugby Club Grounds, Mill Road, Myland, Colchester
Admission: £10 for a 90 minute session.

Eastern promise

Art drop-in, led by young people for young people.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 11am - 4pm.
Where: Hollytrees Museum, High Street, Colchester
Admission: Free

Free sport taster sessions at Colchester Leisure world

Free sessions to come along and try.  Trampolining - Archery - Street Dance and outdoor Volley Ball.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 10am-2pm
Where: Cowdray Avenue, Colchester
Admission: Free

Get into netball for 2012

Fun Netball Tournament.
When: Sunday 24th July   - 10am-2pm
Where: Brinkley Lane, Colchester
Admission: Free

Guided Walk - From Camulodunum to Colchester

Walking tour of Colchester.
When: 22nd & 23rd July - 11.30am / 24th July - 2pm
Where: 1 Queen Street, Colchester
Admission: £3.50 Adults, £3 children

Interactive firstsite Family Art

A session for families to try out some interactive artwork together to celebrate Open Weekend.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 10am-4pm
Where: Hollytrees Lawn, Castle Park, Colchester
Admission: Free

Kids Craft Table

A free kids craft table.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 11am-6pm
Where: St. James' House, Queen Street, Colchester
Admission: Free

Leisure World Highwoods Come & Try Day

offering FREE taster sessions run by centre staff and some user groups.
When: Sunday 24th July   - 11.30am-5pm
Where: The Gilberd school, Brinkley lane, Colchester
Admission: Free

Leisure World Tiptree Open Day

"come and try" sessions for public to try their hand at different sports.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 10am - 4pm
Where: Maypole road, Tiptree, Colchester
Admission: Free

Open 3 Exhibition

An exciting exhibition of local artists' work.
When: Friday 22nd July   - 11am - 6pm
Where: St. James' House, Queen Street, Colchester

Peldon Village Hall 10 mile Nature Walk

10 mile walk open to all members of the community to raise the profile of our  efforts to build a new village hall in Peldon.
When: Sunday 24th July   - 9am
Where: Peldon Village Hall, Church Road, Peldon, Colchester
Admission: Free

Piano Friday

Every Friday the piano is available for anyone who would like to practice or play.
When: Friday 22nd July   - all day
Where: St. James' House, Queen Street, Colchester
Admission: Free

Tennis Day

A free tennis day! Providing suitable sized courts and equipment for all participants.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 1pm - 7pm
Where: Leisure World Tennis Centre, Eudo Road, Shrub End, Colchester
Admission: Free

Theme Tour: Roman Treasures

Theme tour of Roman Colchester.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 5pm
Where: 1 Queen Street, Colchester
Admission: Free

University of Essex Family Fun Day

Feast of sports and arts activities to mark the countdown to London 2012.
When: Saturday 23rd July   - 11am, - 3pm
Where: The University of Essex, Colchester
Admission: Free

Walking your Way to the Games

Enjoying a walk in Essex.
When: Sunday 24th July   - 10am
Where: Haven Road, The Hythe, Colchester
Admission: Free

Learn golf free at Epping Golf Course

Free golf lessons for all comers.
When: Friday 22nd July - Sunday 24th July  - 9am
Where: Flux Lane (Off Station Road) Epping
Admission: Free

Mammoth Challenge!

Create a mini mammoth out of recycled materials.
When: Saturday 23rd July - 12pm - 4pm
Where: Waltham Abbey
Admission: £1 per child

The W Festival

Young persons event including film, dance, football, fitness and Bmx and skate boarding.
When: Sunday 24th  - 1pm - 6.30pm
Where: Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey
Admission: Free

Activeharlow Olympic Extravaganza Taster and Showcase Day

A showcase day of the best sport, leisure, community and businesses in Harlow.
When: Saturday 23rd July  - 10am to 3pm
Where: Mark Hall Sports Centre, London Road, Harlow
Admission: Free

Music at Marigolds presents the Spanish Harlow Orchestra

Salsa Band playing Live music.
When: Friday 22nd July - 7.30pm - 11pm
Where: Chippingfield, Old Harlow
Admission: £7 or £6 if pre-booked

Presidents Day

A day of cricket involving junior and senior players.
When: Sunday 24th July - 9am - 9pm
Where: Chippingfield, Old Harlow
Admission: Free

Summer Skate Jam

Skating, BMXing, blading and scooters at world famous skatepark.
When: Sunday 24th July - 12pm - 9pm
Where: behind Lord Butler Leisure Centre, Peaslands Road, Saffron Walden
Admission: Free

Summer Walk

A walk along lanes and footpaths in rural Essex.
When: Saturday 23rd July - 4pm
Where: High Easter Village Hall, The Street, High Easter, Chelmsford

Discover Bellringing

Opening Belltower, Teaching the Art of Bellringing.
When: Saturday 23rd July 10.00am to 13.00 - Sunday 24th July 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Where: St Martin's Square, Basildon
Admission: Free

Hadleigh Old Fire Station Activity Day

Sports and Culture taster events for the community to take part in.
When: Saturday 23rd July 10am - 4pm
Where: High Street, Hadleigh
Admission: Free

Rochford District Council People's Record - Dreams and Memories

Recording residents views on London 2012.
When: Friday 22nd July 10am - 12pm
Where: Clements Hall Way, Hawkwell
Admission: Free

Thurrock T-Fest

Announcements, Olympic Stand and activities.
When: Saturday 23rd July 11am- 9pm - Sunday 24th July 11am - 8pm
Where: Grays Riverside Park, Grays
Admission: Free

Beowulf The Opera

An open air production of the world premier of a new choral adaptation of the poem.
When: Sunday 24th July  - 7.30pm
Where: Priory Park, Southend-on-Sea
Admission: Free

End Of Term

Metal present a fun day of art, sport and culture.
When: Saturday 23rd July - 11am - 6pm
Where: Chalkwell Park, Chalkwell Avenue, Southend on Sea

Music in the Park

An afternoon of jazz and big band favourites in the open air.
When: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July - 3pm - 5pm (both nights).
Where: Priory Park, Southend-on-Sea
Admission: Free

Jaylympic

Sports and Culture taster events for the community to take part in.
When: Saturday 23rd July 11am - 4pm
Where: Crossways Park, Jaywick
Admission: Free