Extreme Stunt Show in Colchester

The Extreme Stunt Show is one of the fastest growing motorsports events in Europe and the show made it's return to Colchester on Sunday 19th August.  Once again the show dazzled the crowds with their dangerous daredevil stunts, which included a BMX stunt rider, car crashes, 2 wheel driving, Freestyle Motocross, a Human Torch and of course, the two monster trucks Extreme and Lil' Devil.

Comentator Jez Avery kicked the show off with wheelies and rolls on a specially adapted quad bike before Ryan Hall performed jumps on his BMX.  The show's stunt girl, Abby Baker then performed crashes and rolls, in her stunt car, even managing to peel the roof back on a car she was jumping.  




After a break the audience were wowed by an amazing display of freestyle motocross that featured stunt riders performing death-defying tricks including the Superman Bike jump pictured here.





It was already a hot day, but as the sun came out the temperature rose, just in time for the incredible Human Torch.  Amazingly, this stunt featured a stunt man carrying a blazing carpet on his back, while he walked the length of the arena.








Then finally, without doubt the stars of the show, came the two Monster Trucks Extreme and Lil' Devil.  As the trucks powered  around the arena the noise of their 2000 horsepower engines was almost deafening.  The trucks jumped and crushed cars in an imresive display that closed the show.




www.extremeeventseurope.com

Invasion Colchester

It was the hottest day of the year so far in Colchester with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, yet costumers, special guests and volunteers all braved the heat to provide fantastic entertainment and more importantly, raise funds for local causes. It must have been an incredibly tough day for all the characters, especially so for the poor chap or chapess who was dressed as the Ewok, but every single person involved that we met, all greated us with big smiles and really made the event jolly good fun. 

Captain Jack Sparrow

Lara Croft

The atmosphere in town was fantastic as we took part in the Character Hunt.  The Hunt consisted of purchasing an Entry Sheet which included a map of various locations where certain famous characters would be.  The locations included the Library, Williams & Griffin, Game, the Odeon, Fun & Games, Colchester Castle, Ace Comics and Xtreme Gaming.  Once you had visited all the locations, seen the characters and had your entry sheet stamped, it was off back to Ace Comics to return your entry ready for the draw the next day..

Stormtrooper

Zombies

Other special events took place throughout the day, including face painting, a raffle, Star Wars story time, read by special guest Ralph Morse who appeared as a Stormtrooper in "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi".  He read Star Wars literature at the library.  

R2 D2

The Witch King from
Lord of the Rings

There was also a fancy dress competition, a sponsored waxing, where Thomas Hughes agreed to be waxed for charity and Human Target, where Aurthur Tolmie, co-founder of Xtreme Gaming volunteered himself to be a human paintball target!  

Dalek & Tardis from
Dr Who

Live music also featured at different times throughout the day with music from Nina Wright, Rhys Butterworth-Bowman, The Tom Sanderson Band then finally with the day finishing off with a cracking performance from Committed To The Blues Brothers, who had the crowd dancing even in the heat.

Altair & Ezio from
Assassin's Creed

Captain America

Invasion Colchester was launched in 2011 by Simon Leonard, initially as a one-off event to raise money for an important cause that saved Simon's life.  But following the success of last year's Invasion Colchester, a decision was made to continue the event each year, raising money for additional charities.  This year's charities benefiting from this fantastic event are The Invicta Foundation, Colchester Community Voluntary Services and Colchester Hospitals Charity.

Committed To The Blues Brothers

Only Fools & Horses

The General Lee

Ariel from the
Little Mermaid

www.invasioncolchester.co.uk


                                                          

Summer Holiday Madness.

Well, we are just over three weeks into the school holidays and with the excitement of the Olympics all over, I am starting to wonder if I am the only Mum starting to, dare I say it, count down the days to when the schools go back in September... Judging by the other Mothers I came across in town today I'm thinking that I am probably not!  Don't get me wrong, the last 3 weeks have been a lot of fun.  We have all really got into the Olympics, been to the beach several times (Frinton, Walton & Mersea) had play dates in the park, picnics, bike rides, lots (and lots!) of dog walks as well as attending workshops at Firstsite and trips to the local museums.  But it is at this half way mark that I find the ideas of things to do with the children that aren't going to break the bank start to run out.  So here are a few ideas of low-cost activities happening around Colchester this week.

The Natural History Museum has lots of exciting stuff happening this week as part of their Go Live Week.
14th August - Fur & Feathers - Meet some amazing furry and feathery animals, including meerkats, a sugar glider, hedgehog, chinchilla, cockatoo, macaw and giant rabbit. Drop in 12-4pm £2 per person.
15th August - Owl Show - See these amazing birds, hear how they live and watch them fly around the museum. Shows at 12pm, 1.15pm and 2.30pm.  £2 per person, booking not required.
16th August - You don't see this every day? - A show where you can come face to face with animals you would seldom get to see close up - like a wallaby, a large fruit bat, and maybe even the chance to touch a crocodile. Shows at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. £2 per person, booking not required.
17th August - Reptiles & Mini Beasts - From snakes to creepy crawlies.  You may even see very large python, a bearded dragon, a tarantula and even a blue tongue lizard. Drop in 12-4pm £2 per person.

Firstsite
This weeks Summer Space activity which runs every day at 11am - 1pm and 2pm-4pm  is "Futuristic Chatting Machines" where you can explore new ways to communicate, creating your own Futuristic Chatting Machines

Colchester Castle has an Art & Craft Event to celebrate the Chinese year of the dragon where you  work with a Chinese artist to create a beautiful, coloured dragon lantern for your home. Sessions are at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and the cost is £2 after normal Castle Admission price.

And if your children haven't already signed up, there is the Summer Reading Challenge at Essex Libraries where children can collect stickers, a certificate and a medal when they have read 6 books.

So there are lots of cheap events happening this week to keep your little ones occupied.  Plus Sunday sees the Extreme Stunt Show coming to the Avenue of Remembrance Circus Site and I am really excited to have some Family Tickets to give away.  So, if you haven't already entered the draw, do so now on our Competition page and you might be one of the lucky ones having a FREE day out!