Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Essex Tourism Show Held at Splendid Hotel

The annual Essex Tourism and Leisure Show was held recently, and as always I attended it.

I attend quite a lot of these shows in the course of the year, but It`s particularly nice for me to go to this one. Not only is it in my home county, but it always features some of the smaller towns and attractions, who might find it dificult financially to take part in the larger national ones.

The hard working Carol Jolly organises the show, in addition to various other ways of promoting Essex. After a period at Colchester, and several years at Brentwood, the show moved to a new venue this year, the sumptuous Five Lakes Hotel at Tolleshunt Knights near Maldon.

I went by train as far as Witham, and had a little stroll around the old Chipping Hill area before catching the courtesy bus to the show.

I wasn`t disappointed. It`s a good venue, and I was able to chat with lots of people, which for me is the main object. Among these were several old friends, including Abbie Bates, Hugh Cairns, Carol Jolly, Mike Pressling, Peter Stonham and Chris Wales.

During the afternoon, a number of us were shown around the facilities in the hotel, which is very upmarket.

On the way back to Witham, the courtesy bus took us to the famous Wilkin and Sons Ltd jam factory at Tiptree, where we were treated to a delicious cream tea.

I`m already looking forward to next year`s show.