•  FOOD Mersea Island Food Drink and Leisure Festival, Essex Outdoors, Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea

When: tomorrow and Sunday, from 11am to 5pm.

How much: Free.

FOODIES will be in seventh heaven on Mersea Island this weekend with its annual food and drink festival.

Renowned throughout the world for its oysters, Mersea will also be serving plenty of its other seafood delights as well as Dedham Fudge, Totham Bangers and Fairfield Farm Crisps.

There’s also a wealth of entertainment on offer with acts over the two days including Hope in Harmony, The Shepherds and a special drumming workshop with local jazz legend Crissy Lee.

  •  CRAFTS Nothing New Recycled Fair, Minories, High Street, Colchester

When: tomorrow, 10am to 4pm.

How much: Free.

Contact: 01206 712237.

THE Minories spring fair with a difference selling only goods that have been recycled, upcycled or pre-loved.

Makers, artists, crafters, vintage and bric-a-brac sellers from all over the area will be showing the inventive ways they have come up with to repurpose old items and give them a second life or a new function.

  •  ART First Cuckoo of Spring Exhibition, Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, Boxted Road, Colchester

When: tomorrow until Monday, 10am to 5pm.

How much: Free.

HOME to 30 local artists, Cuckoo Farm opens its doors for a special exhibition of work which will include paintings, photographs, sculptures and wood turning as well as etchings, mono prints and glass work.

Artists and makers taking part include Debbie Ayles, Colin Brown, Lupe Cunha, Anthony Jones, and Pam Shomberg.

  •  FAMILY Music and Dance Festival (Sunday) and Village Fete and Fun Dog Show (Monday), Layer Marney Tower, Layer Marney, from 11am both days.

How much: £7 adults, £4.50 children. £20 families.

Contact: 01206 330784.

TWO great events are taking place at an historical house.

On Sunday there's entertainment from the likes of Funky Voices and Eastern Delight belly dancers while the Monday has all the fun of the fete with stalls, games and a fun dog show.

  •  FAMILY Hospital Radio Colchester Family Fun Day, Lower Castle Park, Colchester

When: Monday 11am to 4.30pm.

How much: Adults £3, children free.

THE major fundraiser for Hospital Radio Colchester, among the attractions this year will be a music stage with country star Steve Cherelle and Bob Keeley plus in the main arena displays from the likes of Tendring Dog Agility, Ilaz dance troupe and Thurstable School Cheerleaders.

When: Tomorrow, 7.30pm

How much: £10, £8 concessions

Contact: 01206 500900

LANCE Armstrong won his fiftth Tour de France title in 2003, and a young boy in West Yorkshire believed in him. Now a character comedian, Kieran (the boy) sets out on tour with a heartfelt and hilarious story of growing up, betrayal by professional athletes, and redemption.

  •  FAMILY Jousting with the Knights of Royal England, Hedingham Castle, Baley Street, Castle Hedingham

When: Sunday and Monday 10am to 5pm.

How much: Adults £14, Over 65s £12.50, Under 18s £10, Family £42.

THE Knights of Royal England return to Hedingham to perform two classic jousts in front of the Keep, spectacles of chivalry, hand to hand combat, mounted challenges and dark deeds.

Surrounding the arena will be craft stalls, a wide range of fabulous food and a host of entertainment. Coda Falconry will put on two flying displays and you can meet the birds in between the jousting. The Dragons of Wye-Ten Puppet Theatre Show will be performing throughout the day. The Norfolk Longbow Men will be demonstrating the art of archery. Official Jester, Jonathan de Hadleigh, will cause his usual mayhem with his long suffering wife, Judy, but she gives as good as she gets.

  •  OUTDOORS Volunteer taster day, Highwoods Country Park, Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Colchester

When: Saturday 10.45am to 3pm

How much: Free, booking recommended

Contact: 01206 282920

ARE you looking to get involved with managing one the borough's outdoor areas, learn new skills and meet new people? Why not pop down to an open day and see what volunteering at Highwoods Country Park involves.

When: Monday, 10am to 4pm. Drop-in sessions, some require booking.

Contact: 01206 282939.

800 YEARS ago King John laid siege to Colchester Castle after he turned his back on the Magna Carta and re-started his war with the barons. To mark the anniversary of the siege Colchester Castle will be running a day of Medieval activities.

  •  KIDS Half term film: Toy Story, Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street,

Colchester

When: Monday, 10.30am

How much: £1

Contact: 01206 577067

Certificate PG, one hour 21 minutes.