Ken Slaney returns with a very personal story from his family, "Silence of the Past", details here.
The presentation is at 11am on Sunday 19th July, tickets are available at the link below at £5, which includes entry to the Heritage Centre. Further details here.
Thames Board Mills was a major employer in Purfleet from 1887 to 2002 and many Essex residents will recall working there.
The Heritage Centre holds a vast collection of photographs and artefacts from the Mills and is holding an Open Day for all interested parties on the 9th August.
Did you or your parents work there? This is for you!
Details can be downloaded here.
The Gurkha Festival will take place on the 16th August at the Heritage Centre. This is always a highliught of the year and includes Nepalese dancing and food as well as a celebration of the historic ties between the UK and the Gurkha Regiment around the only dedicated Memorial to them in Essex.
Further details here.
SALUTE! is a free festival to honour our shared heritage. The 2026 festival brings together the many diverse nations that joined us in the World Wars. Alongside the rich and colourful Gurkha Festival, the unveiling of a new display dedicated to a Polish pilot during the Battle of Britain, a kabbadi match, African drumming and WW1 songs marking the 110 years of the Battle of the Somme.
Further details here.
This year we will be present at the Orsett Show on the 5th September 2025 once again.
Details to follow nearer the date.
The highly popular Battle of Britain Bike show will take place once again on the 13th September 2026 at the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre, exact date to be confirmed. and further details will follow nearer the date.
Once again we will be holding a celebration of Purfleet's links with Bram Stoker's Dracula on Sunday the 25th October 2026 with fun activities for children and adults
This will include two walks around the sites in Purfleet that are mentioned in the book which must be pre-booked. See the Walks page.
Further details here.
The history of the Dracula connection is explored on the Purfleet Heritage page at this website.
The Annual Remembrance Day Service will take place at the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre on Sunday 1st November 2026 at 11am.
All are welcome. The Centre will be open afterwards for refreshments and for visitors.
The Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre will reopen following the Winter refurbishment works at 10.30am on Sunday 1st March 2026 for Members and guests.
We will be open to the public from 10am.
Come along and take a look at the result of the hard work of our volunteers over the Winter break.
Details can be downloaded here.
The first special exhibition of 2026 will open to the public on Wednesday the 18th of March and will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the first ever flight of Britain's most iconic aircraft, the Supermarine Spitfire.
The Centre features the largest collection of original artefacts from RAF Hornichurch so this is a must see for all aviation enthusiasts.
Details can be downloaded here.
The Heritage Centre is a fabulous local resource with outstanding history which is currently underused by the local community.
We are holding 2 open evenings for local teachers to come and look around the Centre and discuss how our enthusiastic team can help schools share and understanding of local and miltary history.
Please contact us to book a spot on your preferred evening.
There will be a Remembrance Service for the Gurkha Regiment at the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre on Sunday 26th April 2026 at 11am.
All are welcome. The Centre will be open afterwards for refreshments and for visitors.
Further details nearer the date.
The Canvey Island Classic Car Club is visiting and displaying in the Heritage Centre car park on Sunday 10th May 2026.
Come along to admitre the classic vehicles for free with entrance to the Heritage Centre based on a donation on the door.
Details here.
Guest speaker Ken Slaney will be giving a presentation entitled "Churchill's Toyshop" at the Heritage Centre on Sunday 24th May at 11am. The subect is the astonishing array of secret weapons developed during WW2.
Entrance is £5 which will include entry to the Heritage Centre. Please book here.
Further details here.
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