What's On Colchester

All day entertainment which may include birds of prey, working dogs, children’s entertainment as well as arts, crafts, gifts and food marquees.

Gary Ryan is one of the world’s leading exponents of the guitar and has performed to international critical acclaim for over twenty years, winning praise for his formidable technique, outstanding musicianship and entertainingly diverse programmes.

Lia and Nick have not heard from their son for six months. He was travelling in his gap year and they fear he has been killed in a terrorist bombing. Anxious for any news, the couple turn to whatever means possible to find out what has happened to their son.

Born in Mexico City in 1979, Morgan Szymanski started playing guitar at the age of six. After studying in Mexico and Europe, he now travels all over the world playing a wide range of guitar music.

University Centre Colchester BA (Hons) Acting & Creative Performance Think Outside The Box - a show exploring the limits at each end of the spectrum, from the mundane to the absurd Press Start To Play - Three rounds. Two teams. One prize.

The Helmers are an iconic power couple. They excel at work, staying on top, they excel at excelling. But as his autobiography rolls out, it seems there are a few things that Mr. Helmer did not mention.

Welcome to Hotel Purgatory. Our very special guests are dying to meet you! You’ll find sorts here in the lobby of the lost. But should they take the lift up to the executive suite? Or down to the infernal pit of the basement? YOU decide!

A unique opportunity to hear the combined talents of the Band of the Parachute Regiment, Colchester Military Wives’ and Essex Police Choirs, performing numbers both old and new - with some audience participation!

Firstsite, Colchester, is delighted to present The Britishness Project, a groundbreaking exhibition that investigates notions of Britishness through art making.

Firstsite, Colchester, is delighted to present The Britishness Project, a groundbreaking exhibition that investigates notions of Britishness through art making.

North East Africa (D. Hacker). Organised by Colchester & District Philatelic Society. Contact for details: Christine Stroud (Secretary).

Join volunteer Richard for a talk and tour about how Bourne Mill was a key part of the textile industry in Colchester. Richard will explain how processes such as fulling were undertaken at the mill. A welcome cup of tea or coffee and a piece of shortbread will be included. Booking Advisable. Phone: 03442491895.

Join volunteer Joan for a short talk and tour looking at the quirky history of Bourne Mill, including its early role as a fishing lodge and rumours of ducking stools in Bourne Pond! A welcome cup of tea or coffee and a piece of shortbread is included. Booking Advisable. Phone: 03442491895.

An unexpected hidden colourful ¼-acre garden. Well manicured grassy paths wind round island beds and ponds. Densely planted subtropical area with architectural and exotic plants - cannas, bananas, palms, agapanthus, agaves and tree ferns surround a colourful gazebo.

Open garden Tudor Roost 18 Frere Way Fingringhoe co57bp (5 mile South of Colchester)28th & 29th April 2-00pm -5-00pm Adm £4-00 children free.Teas & home made cakes available,plants for sale.An unexpected hidden colourful ¼-acre garden. Well manicured grassy paths wind round island beds and ponds.

’A garden for all seasons’ A plantsman’s paradise with 20 acres packed with rare and unusual plants. Carved within mature woodland are huge island beds, Japanese garden, terrace, gravel garden, seaside garden, water gardens and extensive woodland plantings.

A practical session discovering spring birds in the North East Essex at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve and Abberton Reservoir. The day will be largely spent outside looking for, listening to and identifying our spring and summer birds.

Two lovely, large country gardens set in the beautiful setting of nearby Constable country of north east Essex. Refreshments, and parking in paddock at Mayfield Farm. Mayfield Farm a 3 acre garden which 3 years ago was largely a field with a huge glass house on 46 tonnes of concrete footings.

A wonderful and historic location of Layer Marney Tower makes this a great venue to host a special event to celebrate the Umbellifer and this will be the basis of a talk by Nursery owner, writer and wildlife expert Marina Christopher.

FunDancing - Dance Fitness Shimmy, Shake, Wiggle & Giggle while making new friends and laughing lots. Each class is 60 minutes long Warm Up - Dance Routines - Cool Down Wear comfortable clothing and light flexible shoes (preferably with small heel) Bring water with you.

Join one of our rangers for a walk around the Flatford countryside. You’ll discover how they balance the needs of wildlife conservation with managing a landscape which inspired the artist John Constable. Each walk will reflect the changing seasons. Booking Essential. Phone: 0344 2491895. Children are welcome.

Take a walk with artist and bird expert Richard Allen to observe the birds and other wildlife found near Flatford. There should be newly arrived warblers, nightingales and cuckoos singing from the marsh, whilst along the river we may well chance on a kingfisher, egrets and waders. Booking Essential.

Join one of our experienced guides for a 3 hour (4 mile) ramble, visiting the views that inspired the artist John Constable. The tour will also visit East Bergholt and Dedham, where Constable was born and where he lived for the first part of his life.

Suffolk Market Events is delighted to have teamed up with The Foragers Feast to bring you even more fabulous foraging workshops with Carl Shillingford (expert forager and a Michel Roux trained chef) and Matthew Rooney (hugely knowledgable ecologist and mushroom grower).

Live "Country" Bands/Artists once a month for Line & Freestyle Dancers or to just sit & listen & enjoy the music & atmosphere. Everyone Welcome. Tea coffee & rolls available + licensed bar. All proceeds to Charity, This month, we have the popular Duo - "Kalibre"

Live "Country" Bands/Artists once a month for Line & Freestyle Dancers or to just sit & listen & enjoy the music & atmosphere. Everyone Welcome. Tea coffee & rolls available + licensed bar. All proceeds to Charity, This month, we have the popular artists -" Ridgeway Country"

Come and enjoy an afternoon of Musical entertainment, performed by Tendring Brass Band as part of their series of local concerts entitled Tendring Brass- ’On Tour in Tendring’ The Band will be performing a variety of well known, foot tapping pieces for the audience to enjoy.

Approx one-third of an acre plantsman’s garden developed over the last 24 years, containing many unusual plants, herbaceous borders and pond. For the May opening see a super collection of peonies and for the July opening a stunning collection of approx 60 Agapanthus in full flower.

20-acre garden originally laid out at the turn of the last century by the present owners great grandfather. Full of many fine trees and shrubs, many seldom seen in East Anglia. A fine collection of camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons, topiary, and the National Collection of deciduous Euonymus.

Suffolk and Essex Small Animal Welfare (SESAW) is holding a Sale to raise funds for the animals. No change required, only £1 coins or bigger! Lots of bargain toys, games, puzzles, china, glass, jewellery, books, pictures, cds, dvds and pet products.

Art Exhibition by the Assington Group of Artists. Sat 28th April 10am - 5pm & Sun 29th April 10am-4pm. Free entry.

New venue and dates this year for the popular Coggeshall Art Group Exhibition. Come and enjoy art in a wide variety of styles and media, all by local artists, in the beautiful Parish Church of St.Peter ad Vincula. All work available to purchase.

The Guild of Essex Craftsmen are holding a Spring Craft Show in the historic Grange Barn Come along and see the talented artists and craftsmen and artists and who will be exhibiting and selling their handmade arts and crafts, some demonstrating .

ALL welcome to attend. May’s meeting will be "Baz & Harv" (Music duo) followed by tea/coffee and time to chat with others. Come along to the main hall at the United Reformed Church, Kelvedon and join us. Tel: Gwyn Pegram 07875 109472

Meet our talented and informative spinners as they demonstrate the skills that built Paycocke’s House. Booking Not Needed.

Discover and learn about the traditional crafts that built Paycocke’s House. Join the Guild as they demonstrate how to spin fleece into threads throughout the house and garden. Booking Not Needed. Suitable for children. Assistance Dogs only are welcome.

Fawlty Towers Comedy Dining Event Basil, Sybil and Manuel do their best to look after you in their typical crazy style. A big fun night out in a friendly party atmosphere with some of the finest comedy actors in the land.

Join us for our 10th Colne Valley Cycle Ride and raise money for your local Air Ambulance. Whether you are looking for a challenge or a family friendly cycle ride, we have the route for you! The 20 mile, 50 mile and 80 mile routes are on the roads surrounding Earls Colne.

Enjoy and evening with soul singer Irie J

Colchester Comedy opens its doors on the first Saturday of each month. This regular comedy night launches on 5th May and we’re bringing you a great lineup of top comedians. Our headliner for this first Colchester Comedy Show is the Host of Balls of Steel - Mark Dolan!

Come and view our beautiful Venue and see how the function rooms could be set for your special day and benefit from exclusive offers on the night Reserve tickets today on 01787 224466 to receive complimentary Prosecco and Canapes on arrival.

Purple Feather Events presents another fab Fair at this popular venue, but this time its a whole weekend!!! ~Another day of pampering , wellbeing & friendship.

• Entitled “The Art of Flowers” the festival will include flower arrangements inspired by local art work which will also be on display in the church. • The event will take place in St Lawrence Church from Saturday May 5th to Monday 7th • At St Lawrence Church, Bradfield Essex CO11 2US. • Open from 10.

Join us for a great family day out at the 179th Hadleigh Show on Saturday 19th May 2018 located in the beautiful setting of Holbecks Park with plenty of free parking. This year Broke FMX and Titan the Robot will be joining us.

Large cottage style farmhouse garden situated in the peaceful Essex countryside with mature trees, mixed borders, vegetables, greenhouses and a small flock of sheep. Developed from a neglected state over 12 years ago with a fine view of the Blackwater Estuary.

KFA Suffolk presents an Activity Afternoon with the opportunity to try Sit and Stay Fit, a seated exercise session and an active Keep Fit Class. Refreshments included in the ticket price and a representative from the Alzheimer’s Society will be on hand to tell us about their local work.

Hadleigh Healers are having another popular Day of Readings, with Spiritual Mediums offering 20 minute, one to one readings, for only £15 per reading. Please pre-book your readings with Mavis to avoid disappointment on the day on 01473 823282.

A light hearted and enjoyable programme of songs and music by our popular, local community choir. profits towards the upkeep of our beautiful church.

The first exhibition of the 2018 programme is an exhibition of artwork by local artist Carol Dawson. The exhibition is a series of seascapes, wildlife imagery, farming scenes, and portraits painted in a realist fashion that takes inspiration from historic photos and the nature and communities of Coastal areas.