The Handicraft Committee was delighted with the success of this year's show.

The weekend began on Friday night with a shortened Music on the Green due to the rain, but Saturday stayed sunny and bright for the hundreds of visitors in the afternoon.

Entries in the handicraft marquee totalled almost 900, which was the best ever. The organisers would like to thank all those who gave their support over the year and on the day, and those who generously donated raffle prizes or assisted in any way to ensure the show was such a success.

KELLY Andrews, secretary of the horticultural committee, says it was a great pleasure to receive a good number of entries this year, bringing an abundance of colour and exceptional quality to the horticultural marquee.

The effort that the competitors had made to exhibit their goods was much appreciated, with some entrants coming from outside the area as far as South Woodham Ferrers and Horndon-on-the-Hill.

Most of those who entered walked away with at least one placing each, and above all they seemed to travel home smiling happily.

Kelly would like to thank all those who helped with the horticultural entries, and supported her on the day in the tent.

If anyone, except for Mr Copsey, is in possession of the AN Hilliard trophy, please call Kelly on 01621 779362 as she thinks it was picked up by mistake just before the presentation.

SUNDAY SERVICES

The summer programme of services at the Chapel of St Peter on the Wall in Bradwell continues this Sunday, with a service Praising God with the West Mersea Church Choir, beginning at 6.30pm.

RACE FOR LIFE

Members of the Tillingham Medical Centre staff took part in the recent Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Julie Raven, Chris Shaw and her daughter Hazel raised almost £800, and gave thanks to everyone who supported them.

PARISH BARBECUE

This annual event, in aid of funds for St Nicholas Church, Tillingham and St James' Church, Dengie, will be held on August 18 at 6pm, in the garden of Vicarage Lane, by kind invitation of Zanny and Roger Lawrence.

Tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for children, £13 for a family, and are available from Zanny on 779273, Ann Reed on 779540 and Michael Tuckett on 779683.

DENGIE PROJECT TRUST

The fitness and balance classes each Thursday at 2pm in the village hall are becoming popular, with an increasing number of those slightly past the generally accepted exercise age finding a benefit from gentle exertion to music.

There is still room for more people to attend, though. There is a fee of £2.50 each week, but no equipment needed - just turn up!

TODDLERS AND TIDDLERS

Tillingham Toddlers and Tiddlers will be meeting throughout the school holidays at the usual time of 1.15pm every Tuesday, in the village hall.

Older brothers and sisters will be welcome to come to these sessions.

LANCE LOWES

Many people in the village will remember Lance Lowes, who moved away to Gillingham in Kent several years ago. News of his latest achievement has come to a friend in the village, with a cutting from his local paper about Lance celebrating his 93rd birthday - by learning to use a computer.

The photograph shows him looking in fine fettle, but his fingers have become stiff with age and ill-health so he was finding writing and typing very difficult. Determined to produce his autobiography, he turned to technology in Gillingham Library, where he found free instruction on mastering this new skill.

It will now be so much easier to commit his story to paper, and he says he does not want to die before telling the story of his long life, including his time in the RAF