From printmaking and classic cars to afternoon tea and outdoor cinema, here’s my pick of the best events in Essex this July.

1 THE FLING FESTIVAL
Saturday, July 1. 12pm-11pm. £27.50
Hylands House, Hylands Park, London Road, Chelmsford

The annual Fling Festival is one of Essex’s top events exclusively for adults. The festival includes music, cabaret, theatre, comedy, immersive crafts, a silent disco, a fire garden, a punk poet, bars and plenty of food! This year the afternoon-into-night event, in the fabulous Hylands House and Estate surrounds, promises to be bigger and bolder than ever before.
For more information: www.flingfestival.com

2. The Old Waterworks Printmaking Workshop
Saturday, July 1. 10am-4pm. Free.
The Old Water Works, North Road, Southend

The Old Waterworks is an independent space sited in a Victorian water works that is home to several projects including artist studios, printmaking workshop, Winch Gallery and the White Bus cinema.  The printmaking facilities have just been expanded and opened up to be used by the public. This is great opportunity to get a taste of what printmaking is all about without becoming a member. In the workshop, you’ll cover some of the basic printmaking techniques with professional artists and get to take your work home with you.
The Winch Gallery will be open too and there will be a barbecue where you can chat with some of the resident artists.
For more information: www.theoldwaterworks.com / Info@theoldwaterworks.com

3. The Maldon Motor Show 
Sunday, July 2. 10am Free.
Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon

There will be vintage cars, classic, sports, and American cars, as well as military and commercial vehicles, retro cars and motorbikes. Along with the Classics on the Promenade, there will also be an Autojumble, a vintage mobile cinema, car club stands, Auto trade stands, a vintage fair, and a craft fair. Live entertainment will be provided by Saint FM including, Kingsman, Black Webb, Big Sing and Saint FM’s Jukebox Diner. There will also be vintage clothing and memorabilia from the Twenties to the Sixties.
For more information: www.maldonmotorshow.co.uk / 01245 268157 / maldonmotorshow@hotmail.co.uk

4. Tour and afternoon tea at the Moot Hall
Thursday, July 6 & Friday, July 7 at 2pm. Tickets £25.
High Street, Maldon

Combine history and a delightful afternoon tea. The Moot Hall is one of the most important buildings in Maldon and probably the oldest secular brick buildings in the country and Mrs Salisbury’s is a quaint tea room oozing charm and character. Enjoy a tour and the history of the hall, followed by a spot of afternoon tea. The Moot Hall is a Grade One listed building and cannot be altered in anyway, so access for visitors in wheelchairs is limited to the groundfloor. Upper floors are reached by narrow, twisting staircases.
For more information: www.themoothall.co.uk/ admin@themoothall.co.uk

5. Art and The New Town Cultural Tours at Gibberd Gallery
Thursday, July 6. 10am-4pm. Free.
Civic Centre, The Water Gardens, Harlow

Expertly led the tours start at the Gibberd Gallery where the town’s 20th century watercolour collection is on permanent display. Transport will be offered to whisk visitors through the edges and centre of the town to little known urban areas, peeking at the listed works of art then on to lunch at the Gibberd Garden. The afternoon consists of a VIP view of the house with the freedom to roam the gardens and explore the personal collection of eclectic works that belonged to Sir Frederick Gibberd, the master planner, architect and landscape architect, and his wife, Lady Patricia.
For more information: www.gibberdgallery.co.uk

6. Castaway on Northey Island 
Friday, July 7- Sunday July, 9. Tickets £22. Under 5s free.
Northey Cottage, Northey Island, Maldon

Castaway returns this summer with its unique blend of island escapism and adventure. Become a “Castaway” when you get cut off by the tide on Northey Island. Join the annual basic camp out and enjoy live bands, beer and getting back to nature.
For more information: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northey-island / 01621 853142

7. Essex Festival of Food and Drink 2017
Saturday, July 15-Sunday, July 16. Tickets from £8.
Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Cressing, Nr. Witham

Food, glorious food and of course drink! Take your pick from over 160 stands of the best quality across the county. Also on the bill are three cookery theatres, a free kids cookery school, free wine talks, adult cookery school, live music and more. Celebrity chefs there include British Bake Off winner Nadiya Begum, Gizzi Erskine and James Martin – returning chef for the third year running.
For more information: www.essexfoodfestival.co.uk

8. Open Air Cinema – Moulin Rouge
Friday, July 21. 7pm. Tickets from £8.
Maldon Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon

As well as getting to watch the much-loved Baz Luhrmann show, there will be a bar serving a whole range of drinks, great food stalls, coffee vans and plenty of sweet treats to keep everyone happy. Film watchers should bring their own picnics, chairs and blankets. Portaloos will be on site and the screening will go ahead even if it rains!
For more information: www.essexoutdoorcinema.com

9. Drawing the Garden in Summer at Beth Chatto Gardens
Thursday, July 20. 10am-4pm. £56 or £51 for Gold Friends of the Garden and RHS members.
Beth Chatto Gardens, Elmstead Market, Colchester

Enjoy drawing the garden in summer with guidance from artist and gardener Jevan Watkins Jones. Summer sees the garden in full swing, bringing an array of colour with strong polarities of light and shade to express in drawing. Charcoal and paper is provided but anyone attended should bring the materials of their choice. A set seasonal lunch is included in the price
For more information: http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/courses/ 01206 822007

10. Summer Butterflies Walk
Sunday, July 23. 11am-2pm. £5 per person.
Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh

Woodland ranger Ashley will lead the walk through the reserve to spot and identify summer butterflies. Butterfly seekers will also hear about the conservation work being undertaken to promote butterflies in the area. Those attending are likely to see a variety of woodland species. Ideal for anyone age 10 upwards.
For more information: www.facebook.com/EWTBelfairs / 01702 477467

11. Summers’ evening at the races! 
Tuesday, July 25. 4pm. Tickets from £12.50
Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford,

This fixture, hopefully on a balmy summer evening, has more than £100k in prize money up for grabs. The first race is at 6pm at the City Racecourse – formerly Great Leighs Racecourse. And the last race – of thoroughbred horses – will be at 9pm. The racecourse since opening in 2008 has proved extremely popular – with fixtures such as this proving especially so.
For more information: www.chelmsfordcityracecourse.com

12. Farmers’ Market at Barleylands
Saturday, July 29. 8.30am-12.30pm. Free.
Barleylands Road, Billericay

A great opportunity to buy local handmade goods from farmers and small businesses. Goods for sale usually include muffins, bread, pastries, Indian snacks and meals, beef and wild boar, pork, lamb, sausages, herbs, honey, dairy products, pies, poultry, jams, chutneys, preserves, game, smoked and fresh fish, cakes, puddings, coffee, fruit juice, venison, culinary oils, sauces, eggs, soups, olives, wines, skincare products plus lots more! The market is held indoors and outdoors.
For more information: www.barleylands.co.uk / sue@barleylands.co.uk/ 01268 290218