logo
Great Dunmow Soapbox Race expected to pull in 20,000 people

Great Dunmow Soapbox Race expected to pull in 20,000 people

BBC News25-05-2025

About 20,000 people are expected to attend a charity soapbox race on Sunday.The organisers of the Great Dunmow Soapbox Race in Essex have promised an "action-packed day of homemade racers, wild costumes and roaring crowds".The event has raised more than £150,000 since its inaugural race in 2018.For the second year running, a high-powered foam cannon will blast bubbles on to the track.
Lead organiser Oliver Wyatt said: "We have been blown away by the feedback and generosity of spectators from previous events, and we hope to make a real difference to local charities as a result."People come from all over the world to take part with their homemade karts and there are bars, stalls and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. "
The soapbox racers will speed down Braintree Road near the centre of the town - a stretch of road that is 300m long (984ft).The race is due to begin at 10:30 BST.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jessie J 'hinted at secret health battle weeks before announcing her breast cancer diagnosis'
Jessie J 'hinted at secret health battle weeks before announcing her breast cancer diagnosis'

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Jessie J 'hinted at secret health battle weeks before announcing her breast cancer diagnosis'

Jessie J appeared to drop a hint about her cancer diagnosis weeks ago during a performance in London. The singer, 37, announced she has been diagnosed with breast cancer in a social media post on Wednesday and said the condition had been caught 'early'. But the announcement appears all the more poignant now given what Jessie is reported to have told fans while performing at Union Chapel on May 20. Accorrding to The Mirror, the star told her fans at the show she was putting herself first and wanted to have fun. She said: 'I know we are all going through our own battles in life, we are all struggling in our own way. We talk about it sometimes, and sometimes we don't. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I'm grateful I have the voice and the strength to be able to put those experiences into songs that people can take and make them their own soundtrack to help them get through a tough time, a good time, a scary time.' The hitmaker also seemed to reference her cancer battle when she introduced her new song No Secrets. 'This song for me, more so than ever right now, is getting me through my life,' she said. No Secrets was Jessie's comeback song after a four-year hiatus, during which time she welcomed her son Sky, two, with basketball star Chanan Colman. Jessie revealed that she discovered she had the illness before the release of her hit new single No Secrets, which was released on April 25. The mother of one said she would be undergoing surgery after performing at the Summertime Ball in London on June 15. In the clip, Jessie said: 'Hi, I have been going back and forth a little bit on whether to share it. I want to but there's lots of opinions outside... 'Also knowing that I want to share with my fans and the people that care about me, also I'm a sharer. I've always shared everything that I go through in my life. 'Before No Secrets came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. Cancer sucks in any form but I'm holding onto the word early. 'I have been in and out of tests throughout this whole period, adding that she had not been adequately 'processing it because I'm working so hard.' Jessie said she 'wanted to be open and share it - one, because selfishly I do not talk about it enough. I'm not processing it 'cause I'm working so hard.' She added: 'I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me, with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories.' The London native stated: 'I'm an open book. It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much, similar and worse. That's the bit that kills me.' 'I just wanted to let you guys know it wasn't something I planned. I'm getting to keep my nipples. That's good, it's a weird topic and a weird situation.' Jessie reflected: 'To get diagnosed with this as I'm putting out a song called No Secrets, right before a song called Living My Best Life – which was all pre-planned, before I found out about this. I mean, you can't make it up.' Continuing the lighthearted mood, she wrote in the caption: 'No (more) Secrets and is it too soon to do a remix called Living My Breast Life?' She joked: 'It's a very dramatic way to get a boob job,' adding that the operation to excise the cancer would occur sometime after her appearance at Summertime Ball at London's Wembley Stadium on June 15. Jessie told fans she would 'disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery and I will come back with massive t**s and more music.' Continuing the lighthearted mood, she wrote in the caption: 'No (more) Secrets and is it too soon to do a remix called Living My Breast Life? 'All jokes aside (you know it's one of the ways I get through hard times). This last two months have been so amazing, and having this go on alongside it on the sideline's has given me the most incredible perspective. 'BUT... your girl needs a hug. Also not getting massive t**s. Or am I? No no.. I must stop joking?' Later reflecting on her news, Jessie wrote on her Instagram Story: 'Just shared (posted) something super personal I have been holding onto for 9 weeks. 'The timing of it has been mad but beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time. But honestly I need to process it and, I need a hug. 'You have loved me through all my good and hard times. I don't want this to be any different.' Jessie's celeb pals including Rita Ora and Marvin Humes flooded her post with supportive comments and well wishes Jessie's celeb friends flooded her Instagram post with supportive comments and well wishes with Rita Ora writing: 'Your literally my favourite person and I'm praying for you you've got this. my mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough so I'm here for you. X' Singer Paloma Faith commented: 'Sending so much love I have every confidence you will beat this' JLS star Marvin Humes added: 'Ain't no one stronger than know you've got this..' whilst his wife, Saturdays star Rochelle posted: 'We love you so much.' Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden, who has fought her own breast cancer battle, said she was 'sending so much love and strength.' Scott Mills also paid tribute to the pop star on his Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Wednesday morning, after it was announced that Jessie is playing at Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford in September. 'Jessie, just to say, we're sending all the Radio 2 love your way,' Scott said on air. 'Sending so much love to you and your family and we will see you in Chelmsford.'

EXCLUSIVE Two years after breaking down in front of thousands at Glastonbury, Lewis Capaldi is to make his big stage return at this year's festival
EXCLUSIVE Two years after breaking down in front of thousands at Glastonbury, Lewis Capaldi is to make his big stage return at this year's festival

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

EXCLUSIVE Two years after breaking down in front of thousands at Glastonbury, Lewis Capaldi is to make his big stage return at this year's festival

He left Glastonbury in despair two years ago after breaking down in front of thousands - now Lewis Capaldi is to make his big stage return at this year's festival, the Mail on Sunday can reveal. Capaldi, 28, will perform in the 'secret slot' at the festival's Pyramid Stage after Alanis Morrisette on the Friday of the five-day festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset later this month. The singer-songwriter, who rose to fame with hits like Someone You Loved, struggled to complete his Glastonbury performance on the same stage in 2023 after he was hit by a Tourette's attack. Capaldi suffered an attack of the neurological condition which involves sudden and repetitive moments or sounds - and it meant he was unable to sing his chart-topping songs. While Capaldi complained that his voice had 'packed in', the audience lent him vocal support, bellowing out his greatest hits. He left the stage, saying: 'Glastonbury, I'm really sorry. I'm a bit annoyed with myself'. Afterwards, Capaldi announced he would be 'taking a break for the foreseeable future' as it was 'obvious' he needs to spend 'much more time getting my mental and physical health in order'. He called it 'the most difficult [decision] of my life'. Capaldi, who had been due to embark upon a world tour, said he needed time to ' adjust to the impact' of living with Tourette's. He had charted his struggles with the condition in a documentary How I'm Feeling now, which aired in April 2023, two months before his breakdown at Glastonbury. The news of his return to Worthy Farm comes after Capaldi took to the stage for a secret performance at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh last month - the first time he has performed since. Headliner Tom Walker said Capaldi made a 'last minute' decision to perform at the low-key gig, and fans were encouraged to 'stick around' for a surprise act. The audience were also asked not to film any of the set, with their phones placed in sealed pouches throughout the performance, the BBC reported. Capaldi performed six songs, including his 2019 hit Someone You Loved, at the event, which was to help raise funds for the suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm). Capaldi, from Bathgate, West Lothian, released his first album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent in 2019. His second, Broken by Desire to be Heavenly Sent, debuted at No 1 in 2023, with 95,000 sold, making it the fastest- selling album of the year.

Take That star cuts a casual figure in a mustard shirt and peach shorts as he unveils surprise new career at Cheshire Oaks' 30th anniversary gig
Take That star cuts a casual figure in a mustard shirt and peach shorts as he unveils surprise new career at Cheshire Oaks' 30th anniversary gig

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Take That star cuts a casual figure in a mustard shirt and peach shorts as he unveils surprise new career at Cheshire Oaks' 30th anniversary gig

Take That star Howard Donald cut a casual figure as he unveiled a surprising new career path during Cheshire Oaks' 30th anniversary gig in Wirral, Merseyside, on Friday. The singer, 57, who rose to fame as part of the iconic pop group, showed off his DJ skills on stage, dressed in a ribbed mustard button-up shirt over a white vest, paired with oversized peach-coloured shorts. He completed his laid-back look with a pink baseball cap and seemed to be in his element as he mixed tunes for the crowd. However, while Howard's DJ set may have surprised some attendees, he's no newcomer to the scene. Performing under his DJ alias DJ HD, he has played at renowned clubs and festivals around the world, including Gatecrasher in Birmingham, Eden in Ibiza, and Ministry of Sound in London. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. His sets typically feature a blend of house, funky, and vocal-driven electronic music. Later in the evening, Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt, 43, also took to the decks, energising the crowd with a dynamic set. The American singer stunned in a figure-hugging, sparkly white jumpsuit with flared legs. She styled her blonde locks in a sleek ponytail and accessorised with silver, chain-linked drop earrings. The anniversary gig marks a flagship celebratory event, as the brand continues to honour its storied past, exploring how fashion and shopping habits have evolved since its doors first opened in 1995. Earlier this year, Cheshire Oaks unveiled its 2025 Style Report, revealing that 63 per cent of Brits now prefer shopping in person rather than online. As well as the resurgence of nostalgic fashion trends from the 90s, from baggy trousers to full denim looks, returning to pride and place in wardrobes across the UK. As the UK's largest designer outlet, with over 400,000 sq ft of retail space and a vibrant community of more than 165 brands, Cheshire Oaks continues to shine as a landmark of British retail innovation and culture. Kenny Murray, General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: 'This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of Cheshire Oaks. 'We have evolved continuously over the last three decades, and now it's time to celebrate in true style. 'Over our 30 years we've built a real sense of community that makes this centre special and we want to celebrate this milestone with the local area and people so close to our heart.' 'This summer's music event, crowned by a secret headline act, promises to be a truly special experience, and a way that we can give back to the loyal customers who have trusted us to bring them the latest fashion trends since the 90s, we can't wait to enjoy it with them.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store