Major celebrations will take place on Sunday June 26 to mark the founding of South Woodham Ferrers new town - exactly 25 years ago.

A big family fun day is being staged in Queen Elizabeth Square and highlight of the afternoon will be a prize draw to see whose suggestions - and there are scores of them - will go in a four feet long time capsule to be buried to mark the event.

There will also be a children's fancy dress competition whilst the Woodham Round Table is running a barbecue.

There will also be a maypole, Punch and Judy, face painting and a table top sale.

Asda's Sweet Charity will be running an invitation-only buffet party for senior citizens who will be entertained by a DJ from the 1940s with big band and jazz sounds from the era.

There will also be a '2000' cake and because nobody is sure of an absolute true day for the occupation of the first property in South Woodham, a whole street is to be 'plaqued' in commemoration and that is still to be identified and announced.

Next month the 25th anniversary garden competition will be judged and keen gardeners are being asked to send in their entries with three recent photos of their creations for the judges to see.

Another event will be held at the Dame Elizabeth Hall on July 2 involving all the churches working together in the town.

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