THiS is a busy time for the Bata Heritage Centre (BHC) which will be hosting the first of its bi-annual Open Days on Saturday, 25 April. 

Details can be found on their website by following this link Upcoming Events – Bata Heritage Centre. 

Reserved places for the guided walks are recommended but limited and so, if interested, contact them on [email protected] soonest. 

Bata Heritage Centre chair Mike Tarbard said: "We are also hoping that, on the day, we will have a special guest in the shape of a Heritage double decker bus owned by members of the Epping Ongar Railway Museum. 

"There is a strong possibility that a short ride around the former Bata Estate may be possible but full details are to be finalised.

This month, 3 April, also sees the 150th anniversary of the birth of the founder Tomas Bata. 

"The Centre has been approached by the Czech Centre in London to collaborate with them on a special exhibition to recognise this event.

"A private preview event (the BHC volunteers have been invited) will take place on the evening of Thursday, 9 April with it being open to the public from 10 April until 12 June (Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 5pm). 

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"Details can be found by following this link Desire to Create: Baťa's Architecture of Belonging / Czech Centre London.

"Finally, the exhibition has created an opportunity for the BHC volunteers to welcome the Czech Ambassador to London, H E Vaclav Bartuska to East Tilbury later on in May when he will be able to view the various artefacts out on display, talk to the volunteers and take a guided walk to see the former Bata estate and Bata factory site."