A lot has been happening across south Essex this week, here's a few news items that might have passed you by.

1. A hotel is hosting a boot sale to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

The event will take place at the Premier Inn car park, in East Mayne, Pitsea, from 10am until 3pm on Sunday, April 12, with all stall fees going to charity.

For more information, call 0750 674125 or email sarin_janda@hotmail.com.

2. Residents have two days left to contribute to a public consultation on shop fronts in the Billericay conservation area.

Basildon Council is consulting on a draft shop front and design guide, which will give advice to residents and property owners.

The consultation closes on Thursday.

For more information, visit basildon.gov.uk/billericaysdg.

3. A steam train which passed a stop sign on its way to Southend is being investigated by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

The locomotive number 34067 “Tangmere”, and its tender, coupled to 13 coaches passed a “signal at danger” at 5.27pm on Saturday, March 7.

The train, from Bristol Temple Meads to Southend, failed to stop on the approach to Wootton Bassett junction, Wiltshire.

The branch will publish its findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, after its investigation.

4. A community hall hopes to expand if plans are approved. Shotgate Community Hall, at Bruce Grove, Wickford, has applied to Basildon Council for permission to building a single-storey rear extension to the existing building.

5. Women are invited to treat themselves during a special pamper and shopping evening. Visitors to Wick Community Centre, in Silva Island Way, Wickford, can enjoy a range of treatments, including facials, reflexology, massages and teeth whitening.

They can also browse stalls selling homemade cakes, jewellery, clothing and handcrafted gifts.

The event takes place from 6.30pm until 10pm on Tuesday, April 7.

Entry costs £2.50, and includes a free drink and raffle tickets.

For more information, call 01268 572727 or email pampere@yahoo.co.uk.

6. Rayleigh Library is celebrating 50 years in its High Street location.

There will be celebrations to mark the milestone on April 9 from 1pm to 4pm.

Visitors will be offered a cup of tea and cake and local historian Mike Davies will have a selection of photographs from the Sixties on display in the library for the first two weeks of April.

7. An agricultural building is set to be converted into a farm shop. Basildon Council has approved an application for the building at Woolshots Farm, in Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, currently used as a cart lodge, to become a business selling farm produce and equestrian equipment.

8. Wannabe photographers will have their handiwork put on display.

Youngsters from Milton Hall Primary School, in Salsibury Avenue, Westcliff, will have their work shown at the Civic Centre, in Victoria Avenue, from Friday, April 17.

The youngsters, aged between nine and 11, are all members of the school’s photography club.

9. The Southend District Pensioners’ Campaign will meet on Wednesday, April 15, at Avenue Baptist Church Hall, Milton Road, Westcliff.

The meeting from 1.45pm to 3.45pm will provide an opportunity for residents to meet representatives of political parties, who will be addressing their concerns.

10. Four of the five people who have reserved apartments at a luxury development in Leigh are local, according to an estate agent.

Despite concerns raised by some that Leigh was becoming “Shoreditch-on-Sea” with an influx of Londoners, Home of Leigh’s Tony Kelly said four out of five reservations at the Bell Sands development on Leigh Hill were for locals.

Starting at £250,000, the apartments being built on the site of the former Bell Hotel are already well above the £150,000 average quoted by the Times when it ranked Leigh as the fourth best place in the country to live, and the first ten were put on the market three weeks ago.

Mr Kelly said: “In terms of interest, about 25 to 30 per cent has been from people looking to move into the area, and a lot of those have been London-based, either working or living there.

“Most of the interest, though, has been local because it’s a historically interesting site and lots of people in Leigh and Chalkwell have been keeping a watch on it.

“Out of the five reservations we’ve got, four of them are local, but we’re negotiating with people in and out of the area.”