The award-winning Rayleigh Windmill is re-opening for visitors on Saturday invites people to step inside and experience its rich heritage and breathtaking views over the town and beyond and captivating displays that bring the history of Rayleigh to life The Windmill also provides insight into the fascinating past of Rayleigh Mount adding to the depth of this historical attraction visitors will have the chance to enjoy a variety of inspiring art exhibitions The opening hours of Rayleigh windmill are: though small donations are welcomed to support the preservation of this beloved site To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below. Eastwood 3rd v Rayleigh 5th – T Rippon Mid Essex League Division Ten – Belfairs Park – Report Eastwood 3rd won the toss and elected to bat Sangeet Prasad returned bowling figures of 8-3-12-4, and James Offer 6-1-25-3 as Rayleigh 5th recorded a six-wicket victory over Eastwood 3rd at Belfairs Park in a low-scoring Division Ten encounter. Billy Gibbons top-scored for the home side, reaching 25 before becoming one of two victims for Andy James. Rayleigh reached their target with some to spare. Elliott Davies scored 24, and Dave Turner 22. Alec Hume, Phil Short, James Drabble and Gibbons, in vain with the Eastwood wickets. Eastwood 3rd: D Joslin, E Davies, R Palmer, A Creasey, M Tanveer, J Mitchell, B Gibbons, R Jackson, A Hume, P Short, J Drabble Rayleigh 5th: D Turner, S McDonagh, X Davies, J Offer, M Smith, P Hammond, S Prasad, Y Prasad, A James, T Allen About Latest Posts Brian Jeeves Email: sport@yellowad.co.uk Latest posts by Brian Jeeves (see all) Essex sunk by stunning Somerset fightback Tel: 07765530245 Email: sales@yellowad.co.uk Yellow Advertiser68 Crowhill,Godmanchester,Huntingdon,PE29 9NR Tel: 07765530245 Email: mickferris@yellowad.co.uk Fitness enthusiasts in Rochford can now enjoy brand-new state-of-the-art gym facilities at Rayleigh and Clements Hall Leisure Centres following the completion of a significant investment project which began when Everyone Active took over management of the centres on 1 April under a new 15-year contract with Rochford District Council and Brentwood Borough Council have transformed both gyms with cutting-edge equipment designed to enhance the workout experience for members of all fitness levels The newly installed equipment includes advanced cardio machines such as treadmills The free weights areas have been overhauled with a comprehensive range of dumbbells A selection of cable machines have also been installed which enable a wide range of exercises for different muscle groups Group exercise studios have been refreshed with new equipment and sound systems while the group cycling facilities now feature brand new bikes Everyone Active has completed the installation of advanced Poolview technology at Clements Hall Leisure Centre and The Brentwood Centre as part of a £170,000 investment in enhanced safety measures The system uses underwater cameras to monitor pool activity providing lifeguards with real-time visibility beneath the surface and enhancing swimmer safety without replacing traditional lifeguarding said: "We're absolutely delighted to unveil these exceptional new facilities to the local community and we've already received fantastic feedback from members who are enjoying the latest fitness technology and expanded training options “We would love the local community to come and see what we've done with their leisure centres show you around and help you make the most of these great new facilities." a regular gym goer at Rayleigh Leisure Centre said: “Everyone Active coming to Rayleigh is a huge positive The variety of equipment in the gym is impressive The fact that the gym has been refurbished with new equipment shows a commitment to both customers and staff.” Wellbeing and Housing Committee at Rochford District Council added: “It’s great to see the gyms at Clements Hall and Rayleigh Leisure Centre upgraded and refurbished to such a high standard in a short space of time And the Poolview technology brings a modern additional safety feature to the Clements Hall swimming pool Our collaboration with Everyone Active is a significant step towards enhancing leisure services in our District Through strategic investment and a shared commitment we’re revitalising facilities to better serve our communities ensuring they have access to a range of activities that support their health and wellbeing.” The transformation comes just weeks after Everyone Active took over management of the leisure centres on April 1 demonstrating the operator's commitment to quickly delivering on its investment promises made to both Rochford District Council and Brentwood Borough Council during the joint procurement process earlier this year For more information, visit Rayleigh Leisure Centre or Clements Hall Leisure Centre To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences please enter your contact information below Rochford District Council is inviting local artists voluntary organisations and community groups to showcase their work with a unique and free exhibition opportunity at the Rayleigh Windmill the Windmill welcomes thousands of visitors each year It features a fascinating museum and a dedicated exhibition space on the second floor providing a platform for creative and community projects to gain exposure Exhibitors will be allocated a three to four-week slot and are expected to be present during opening hours: Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm There is no charge for using the exhibition space Regeneration and Tourism Committee at Rochford District Council said: “This is a great opportunity for local artists and community groups to engage with the public in a historic and much-loved venue We encourage anyone with a creative or community-based project to take advantage of this free exhibition space and share their talents with the community.” For more details on how to apply, please contact the Council’s leisure team at leisure@rochford.gov.uk or call 01702 963328.  Interested applicants must submit their expressions of interest by 10am on Friday 21 February 2025 The historic Rayleigh Windmill is set to welcome visitors once again during February half-term offering a wonderful opportunity for families and history enthusiasts to explore this iconic local landmark The Windmill will reopen on Wednesday 19 February inviting guests to discover its fascinating past take in the breathtaking views from the top and explore the museum and exhibition space inside Visitors can also learn more about the rich history of Rayleigh Mount making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists we are actively looking for new volunteers to join our dedicated team a Grade II listed building and a beloved community attraction depends on volunteers to create an engaging experience for all visitors Volunteers play a vital role in leading guided tours and maintaining the Windmill’s welcoming atmosphere said: "Rayleigh Windmill is a true gem in our community offering visitors a glimpse into our local history while providing a fantastic experience for all ages Volunteers are essential to the Windmill's success and that is why we are also excited to bring new volunteers on board to help share this wonderful piece of history with the community With full training provided and the support of a friendly team it's a fantastic opportunity for anyone passionate about preserving local heritage or looking to give back to the community." Rayleigh Windmill’s Volunteer Co-ordinator said: "Volunteering at Rayleigh Windmill has been an incredibly rewarding experience It's a real pleasure to share the Windmill’s fascinating history with visitors and work alongside a team that is dedicated to preserving our local heritage Whether it’s guiding tours or helping with the day-to-day operations The training is excellent and the support from the team is fantastic I highly encourage anyone with an interest in history or simply looking to make a positive impact in the community For more information and to apply, please visit www.volunteeressex.org/opportunities/rayleigh-windmill-volunteer-11501/ or contact us by emailing leisure@rochford.gov.uk or calling 01702 963328 Rayleigh Community Boxing Club is proud to celebrate its one-year anniversary at Castle Hall marking a successful first year of fostering fitness discipline and personal growth within the local community In recognition of its outstanding contributions the club was recently honoured as the Community Club of the Year 2024 at the Rochford Sports Awards the club has quickly become a cornerstone for people of all ages and backgrounds offering a welcoming environment to learn the art of boxing Under the guidance of experienced coach Tony Rowe the club has significantly impacted both young people and adults enhance fitness and improve mental well-being the club offers personalised 1-on-1 training sessions catering to a wide range of needs - including specialised programs for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease helping participants build strength and string together punch combinations said: “It’s great to see Castle Hall buzzing with activity The Rayleigh Community Boxing Club has been a great addition to the hall and offers something for everyone from aspiring competitive boxers to those simply looking for a fun way to stay active the club plays a crucial role in promoting social cohesion offering a safe and positive space where people can come together "Rayleigh Community Boxing Club has made a remarkable difference in such a short time It is doing tremendous work in bringing people together and promoting both physical and mental health It's more than just a place to exercise; it’s a vibrant community hub where people of all ages can connect support one another and work towards their personal goals exemplifies its commitment to making fitness accessible for everyone I’m excited to see how the club continues to inspire and uplift our community in the years ahead." Tony Rowe from Rayleigh Community Boxing Club added: "The support from the community has been incredible with donations of equipment and volunteers giving their time We currently have 47 registered boxers with England Boxing and we're building a strong team to compete nationwide but there’s always room for more members!" For more information about the club, classes and what it has to offer, please visit: https://www.rochforddistrictvenues.co.uk/castle-hall Keeping your home safe from fire is an important part of living safe and well That’s why we offer free Home Safety Visits to all residents across Essex Firefighters were called to an incident on Rayleigh Road Crews have been working to pump water out of a flooded basement.  Group Manager Mark Eaglestone said: "We've got a number of crews dealing with an incident on Rayleigh Road in Benfleet this morning Please rest assured that there is no risk to the community."  Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters Request a fire report or make a Freedom of Information request here Make compliments and complaints here