Castle Point Show - Healthy Life Essex

Castle Point Show

 

I attended the annual Castle Point Show on June 21 in my role as a Greengrid Volunteer with Taskforce Officers Jackie Humberstone and Ginette Braithwaite.

 

Waterside Farm Showground on Canvey was the perfect venue for this free event with marquees offering shelter from the belting sun and the occasional sharp breeze. Over 6000 people passed through the gates between 11am and 4pm to enjoy the wide variety of activities on offer.

 

Copies of the June newsletter were given out, with leaflets on the summer task days in West Wood, Oaks Nature reserve in Wickford and Bumblebee Park on Canvey. Several people also signed up for further information about volunteering with Greengrid.

 

During the day we made over 50 sun catchers with the children, from recycled CD’s, coloured string and beads; it was rewarding to see their happy faces as they carried away their garden ornament.

 

Amongst the other groups sharing the wildlife tent, were representatives from the RSPB, and Castle Point Wildlife Group. I had a very interesting chat with a member from Canvey Wildfowlers Group, set up in 1959 for people with an interest in shooting wild game for the dinner table. Members also help to control indiscriminate shooting and are actively involved in conservation projects managing the habitat at Newlands Marshes on Canvey.

 

Pam Warren, a Bonsai enthusiast, shared her love of these beautiful trees with me as I commented on the sycamore seedlings growing in my garden. I was particularly drawn to an elegant white pine over 50 years old, worth £1500 and a beautiful fruit-bearing greengage.

 

Our stall was placed directly opposite a small rectangular cage. Closer inspection revealed a group of golden coloured ferrets. Inquisitive snouts and claws prodded at the cage wire but during the day, these sharp faced creatures retired en masse for a doze in their hammock.

 

The show, now in its 19^th year, offered something for everyone; donkey rides, face painting, bouncy castles and a climbing wall for the children; on-stage entertainment spanning the generations, from Frank Sinatra Tribute and Amy Winehouse tribute acts; a football tournament, a farmers market with handmade pies from Naturally Yummy, burgers and sausages cooked to order and Essex herbs and local produce for sale.

 

The Salvation Army displayed their work in the community at Hadleigh Farm and Unicef and Arthritis Research Campaign stalls raised money for their charity work.

 

The Royal Anglian Regiment, the Air Cadets, the RAF and Army Cadet Forces offered information on career opportunities for young people.

 

Dogs were micro chipped for £10 and the Community Action tent was bursting with good advice from home security to drug and alcohol awareness; I picked up a very useful alcohol and calorie counters to add to my collection of fire safety leaflets, notebook made from recycled paper and free packet of salad seeds. I watched two young girls fill in worksheets under the shadow of a giant figure made from rubbish whilst children made face masks from cardboard and colourful paints.

 

Classic cars crowded one area of the field with vintage buses and a Routemaster competing for attention across the roped arena. However, one particular vehicle near the community tent received special attention. Inside was PC Spud, a police dog from Laindon, who was awarded a Chief Constable’s commendation in 2005 for his work in helping to arrest a dangerous male. After seven years of active service, he will be retiring this year to live with his handler, PC Conquest.

 

I had a wonderful day helping to promote Greengrid, learning about other environmental groups and being part of this local event which proved to me once again that Essex is full of community spirit.