Battlesbridge, the pretty riverside village between Wickford and South Woodham Ferrers is staging its very first summer festival this weekend.
Roy Hart, owner of Skee-Tex a ski-wear store based in the village, has organised a production of Lark Rise, an adaptation of Lark Rise to Candleford, the historical story of country folk, written about an Oxfordshire hamlet.
The play will be staged on the recently cut hay field behind Toad Hall, Roy's Oast house home on the riverside in Battlesbridge by the Old Mill Players, a group of semi- professional actors.
The idea of holding a festival in the village originally came from a friend, a set designer at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff, and Roy has been trying to start the festival for some time.
The play is being directed and co-ordinated by Canvey junior school teacher Simon Riches, who trained in speech and drama and has connections with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
All profits for the two evening performances will go to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, Burnham-on-Crouch and the NSPCC in Benfleet.
A glass of wine and small ploughman's will also be provided in a barn as part of the evening's entertainment - all for just £7.50.
The audience are invited to attend from 7pm for the 7.30pm performance. Tickets are available on the gate, or in advance from Roy at Skee-Tex or phone 01268 768282.
Open air performance - the cast will be performing in a hay field
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