Kite Festival and Classic Car Display September 11th 2016

You can read a full report of the event in issue number 51 (November 2016) of our Skylarks Newsletter - see the link to the 'On Line Archive' to the left. Here on this page, we have presented a 'Photo Story' of the day.

We were delighted to welcome the BBC Essex 'Quest' programme to our event. Unfortunately, the BBC team of Liana and Barry had to visit prior to the start of the event, due to the BBC's schedules, but they were able to give us a good 'plug'. The first picture shows the BBC's transmitter van, the second shows Liana and Barry preparing to talk live on air to Nikki, the Chair of the Friends, and by the third picture - Nikki is broadcasting to the whole of Essex!

This very popular free family day was once again a huge success. We had the expert guidance of members of the Essex Kite Group, so that participants could learn how to make and fly a kite. Members of the EKG were also flying some of their magnificent display kites. Additionally, members of the South Eastern Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club, were displaying some of their fabulous, gleaming, Classic cars. And just in case that wasn't all enough, there were also a number of craft activities. We also had a trailer from Danny's Snacks on-site, providing burgers, sausages, bacon and eggs, sourced from small local businesses, plus hot and cold drinks.


Before the Children could fly their kites, they had to be made.... Here, some of the helpers at the event - all of whom had been expertly coached by members of the Essex Kite Group - help some of the children.
		So, having made the kites, let's get them air-borne! the first picture shows a general view of kites, kites, kites, whereas the second is a close-up of one of 'our' kites proving that the design and kits provided by the Essex Kite Group (EKG) are brilliant!
Some of the EKG members' magnificent kites soaring way above theWick Country Park on our beautiful blue-sky day!
		They came in all imaginable shapes, colours, and sizes....
Do these two kites give a whole new meaning to the expression 'His and Hers'?
		Contact details - if you like flying kites, why not visit their website at www.essexkitegroup.co.uk?
Some of the splendid classic cars on display. The second picture focuses on the South Eastern Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club's own vehicle - a wonderfully pristine Morris Minor 1000 van - and one of my favourites - a beautiful Mark I Cortina. My brother had one of those back in the sixties - and I was envious!
		Another view of the Club's van, and, my personal favourite of the day, the Austin Healey 2-seater, though admittedly it wouldn't be too good if you needed to transport the children, your parents, the dog, etc...!
Two more immaculate cars - another Morris Minor 1000, this time a 'Traveller' (i.e., Estate Car) version, plus a fairly rare Scimitar. I quite fancied one of those, but I wouldn't have got the idea past my wife (or my Bank Manager)!
		A fabulous Riley variant of the world-famous BMC Mini
		Contact details - if you have interest in classic cars - perhaps you own one - why not visit their website at www.essexclassicvehicles.co.uk?
We were delighted to include, for the first time, a "mud kitchen", where many happy children went away with their mud model face! This activity was very kindly provided by The Treehouse Forestry Nursery and Out of School Club
	Mud - the finished products!
There was also some other indoor craft activity, which also proved very popular, despite the appealing, warm sunshine outside.
	And last, but not least, our two valiant helpers, Dennis and Martin, who slaved away over a hot urn in the kitchen all day, providing endless free cups of tea, coffee, and cold drinks, with a biscuit (donations gratefully accepted).