A SUMMER schedule of fantastic live events has been announced for one of Witham’s premier venues. has been announced for a venue which is quickly establishing itself as one of the best in Essex.

Blues legend Lil’ Jimmy Reed is first-up and will take to the stage at Witham’s Public Hall on June 6.

From shot-gun shack and cotton-field to main stages, the prodigious talents of Lil’ Jimmy Reed have taken him a long way from the Mississippi delta.

One of the last surviving performers of classic Louisiana down-home blues, Lil’ Jimmy’s stinging guitar work, gritty vocals and haunting harmonica have been taking Europe by storm.

His music has won him many awards and in 2014 he was inducted into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame. He is accompanied on piano by Bob Hall, widely regarded as the UK’s finest blues and boogie exponent and by the diminutive dynamo Hilary Blythe on bass.

The following month, and with a string of hits in the mid-sixties, the Swinging Blue Jeans will perform.

At the forefront of the Merseybeat sound in the 60s, the Swinging Blue Jeans were among the leaders of the British Invasion which saw UK groups such as the Beatles and the Gerry and Pacemakers dominate the pop music scene in the United States.

Despite some personnel changes over the years the band remains true to its roots and will play on July 18.

In August two acts of legendary status will entertain crowds. Featuring John Steel and Micky Gallagher, from the original Animals line-up, and Danny Handley and Roberto Ruiz, The Animals and Friends will be playing all the greatest Animal’s hits to get you dancing in the aisles on August 3

To finish off the summer season, Rock and Roll royalty, Marty Wilde and the Wildcats will be appearing on August 18.

Having been spotted in a London club in 1957 by pop impresario, Larry Parnes, Marty was soon catapulted from the smoke filled clubs to prime time TV.

Book tickets at www.withampublichall.co.uk/box-office.html or by calling 0345 017 8717.