A SUMMER show which has proved to be a real occasion on the Essex calendar will soon be returning to the area.

The second bi-annual Marks Hall Garden and Country Show returns to North Essex on July 16 and 17.

Set in the stunning grounds of the historic Marks Hall, Coggeshall, the show differs from other commercial country shows as three charities will be the recipients of 100 per cent of the proceeds.

The show last ran in 2014 when Colchester Rotary Club members and Marks Hall suggested it could be a perfect fundraising event for Essex Air Ambulance with its base being located so nearby.

Last time it raised a staggering £40,000 with its blend of trade stands, children’s activities and educational pursuits, all in the stunning surroundings of Marks Halls’ arboretum.

Sabi Blyth, fundraising manager for Essex Air Ambulance, said: “This is hugely important for us, we need £500,000 a month just to keep going as we don’t get any outside funding. We need events like this.”

Shows of this scale are not easy to plan, but luckily the group has experienced garden show planner Nigel Dyson leading the way.

David Burrage, chairman of the event committee, said: “For us to have someone with Nigel’s experience to help us bring the show together is invaluable. Without someone of that kind it would have been much harder.”

The success is made even more impressive by the fact that it is run by a huge team of volunteers from the three groups involved and the local community.

Mr Burrage said: “The first thing we had to do was realise that it is a team process, it is lots of people working together. We must ensure that we all have the same motivation.

“Our main drive is to raise money for the charities.

“This is the second time we have done the event and there is the same team running the show this year so we all know each other far better and that has certainly helped us this time around – the dynamics of the group are closer.

“We have split into teams who run a specific aspect of the show, for example the country pursuits team.”

Those country pursuits include something for everyone from ferret racing to a heavy horse display.

Kelvedon Classic Car Club are driving round the county and ending up at the show, where showgoers will have a chance to see some of the world’s most iconic motors.

There is also a kids gardening competition called Grub in a Tub, where children from schools, groups or on their own are being challenged to grow an edible garden for display and judging

At a gala evening on the day before the show, a silent auction kicks off with lots ranging in value from £50 to £2,500 available throughout the weekend.

Rebecca Lee, the Marks Hall representative in charge of planning, said: “Everybody in the group brings different skills; we have very different skill sets.

“I have been going out to some schools to encourage them to get involved in the grub in a tub competition.

“Other people have gone out to the local community with leaflets and posters.”

There is a real community feel to the event with all three charities being heavily connected to North Essex and the planning committee are focused on providing an exciting and informative show for all of the family.

Nigel Dyson, the show director, said: “Everybody pulls together, it is a good team and it is well planned.

“I think what the great success is, is that there are three local charities working together; and it is a really good outcome for all three.”

That doesn’t mean it is an easy task however. To plan an event which in its last instance raised such a huge sum for charity is no mean feat, and to plan an event to better that amount is surely even more difficult.

Mr Burrage said: “It would be nice to beat the £40,000 this year.

“We had great feedback last time with a lot of people saying they would come again.

“I would say the show is looking even better for 2016.”

The Marks Hall Garden and Country Show takes place on Saturday, July 16, and Sunday, July 17, at the Marks Halls Estate in Coggeshall.

For more information about what the show has on offer you can visit: www.markshallgardenshow.co.uk.

Tickets are currently available from the website at £7 per adult for one day’s admission. Under-15s attend free. Family tickets will also be available.

Information on the Grub in a Tub competition can be found at: http://www.markshallgardenshow.co.uk/exhibit/grub-in-a-tub.

The Old Siege House, HSJ Dental, Michael Siggs & Co and Newsquest are the sponsors of the show.

Lookers Land Rover are sponsoring the Silent Auction.

NFU Mutual are sponsoring the Countryside/Country Pursuits Area.

East of England Co-op are sponsoring the Grub in a Tub competition.

Wilkins are sponsoring the Tea Room and Garden.