When it comes to long lost summer events that we sadly no longer get to enjoy, the list is long – very long.

The Southend Bed Race, The Southend Festival of Flowers and Crafts, Southend Cricket Festival, the Fur and Feather show, once held at the Kursaal, the Rochford County Show and, of course, the airshow, are just a few.

Echo: Game on - the ‘Harp Game’ was part of the ‘It’s a Knockout spectacleGame on - the ‘Harp Game’ was part of the ‘It’s a Knockout spectacle (Image: Newsquest)

We can add several carnivals – including the once glorious Southend Carnival – and a number of charity raft races to the list too.

Echo: Teamwork- a game of ‘Caterpillar’ at the Canvey It’s a Knockout contestTeamwork- a game of ‘Caterpillar’ at the Canvey It’s a Knockout contest (Image: Newsquest)

Our gallery shows some of the nostalgic community events that many people still miss from our patch.

Among them is the It’s a Knockout Tournament that was held on Canvey for several summers during the 1980s.

Echo: What fun - the Canvey Raft Race, 1986What fun - the Canvey Raft Race, 1986 (Image: Newsquest)

Judging by the photos, it looks like the event, which included a ‘marathon car push’ and all sorts of obstacle races, was plenty of fun.

Also featured is a look back at the Southend Festival of Flowers and Crafts, which used to be held annually in Priory Park and attracted tens of thousands of visitors.

Echo: Popular - Southend bed race was held annually until the late 1990sPopular - Southend bed race was held annually until the late 1990s (Image: Newsquest)

The show included displays of flowers, trees and plants as well as traditional crafts, dancing and even poetry readings.

Throughout the festival, historic Prittlewell Priory – once a home for 12th century Cluniac monks – would be transformed into a huge English county garden.

Echo: House- a tot is impressed by a house and white picket fence at the Southend Festival of Flowers and Arts House- a tot is impressed by a house and white picket fence at the Southend Festival of Flowers and Arts (Image: Newsquest)

Another photo is from the unforgettable Southend Bed Race, an annual event where creative teams would push their own race-ready beds along the seafront to raise money for the RNLI.