- 31 May -30 June 2024
- Art
- Music
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Colchester Cultural Trail 2017
Essex Children's University launches a brand new programme for families and young people this Summer, bringing together exciting events and activities for families across mutiple venues in Colchester. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Putrid Potion Workshop
Join Lorraine Gregory, author of Mold and the Poison Plot, for a creative writing workshop with a twist! Explore the inspirational world of potions and poisons in children’s literature before creating your very own revolting recipe. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Super Stinky Pongorific Gameshow
Dive nose first into the world of smells with author of Mold and the Poison Plot, Lorraine Gregory. Discover more about this much overlooked sense with some entertaining and possibly very smelly games, facts and experiments! Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
Pop-Up Writers House
As part of an exciting new partnership with Essex Book Festival, Metal is transforming Chalkwell Hall into a pop-up Essex Writers House for the whole month of March 2018 to host a wide range of literary events and activities. Our aim is to provide development opportunities for writers working in all genres, whilst engaging with audiences of all ages. Read more
- Art
- Storytelling
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Are You Sitting Comfortably? Troll Swap Fun!
Join Leigh Hodgkinson for giant drawings and fun crafts, with some storytelling in between. Leigh writes and illustrates picture books for children and is art director and co-creator of a new animated show called "Olobob Top" for CBeebies. Read more
- CANCELLED
- For Writers
- Workshop
An Introduction to Memoir Writing: Linda Wilkinson
CANCELLED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. The line between memoir and biography has never been clear; a memoir can be a story about a week in a life, an emotion or a place. Linda Wilkinson, ‘accidental memoirist’, takes you through the techniques, pitfalls and joys of memoir writing. Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
Writing For Radio Masterclass: Robin Brooks
Robin Brooks is one of Radio 4’s most experienced radio dramatists. In this workshop he will offer an introduction to writing drama for the radio. Suitable for all tastes and levels of experience. Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
Telling Stories of War and Peace: Liz Trenow
What are the joys and pitfalls of writing historical fiction, and why are war and peace such compelling topics for historical novelists? A participatory workshop with Liz Trenow, bestselling author of The Poppy Factory and her latest novel, In Love and War, published to mark the 100th anniversary of WW1. Read more
- For Writers
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
Novel Writing for Beginners: Harriet Paige
Harriet Paige, whose debut novel 'Man with a Seagull on his Head' was shortlisted for The Guardian's Not the Booker Award, guides you through the process of crafting your first novel, with practical tips on creating characters, scene setting, structuring the plot and submitting your manuscript to agents and publishers. Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
Crime Writing Masterclass: Nicola Upson
Nicola Upson, award-winning British novelist and author, will guide participants through writing the perfect crime novel, while providing invaluable advice on how to get published. An absolute must for all aspiring crime writers. Read more
- Storytelling
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Heroes and Villains
Come with an open mind and leave with a new character created from your own imagination. Using fun and innovative techniques, Syd Moore, Essex Book Festival Writer-in-Residence, will help you unleash your creativity to develop a fictional character, give them personality, unveil their greatest fear, heartfelt wishes and darkest secret. Read more
- Fiction
- For Writers
- Non-fiction
- Poetry
- Storytelling
- Workshop
Essex Authors Day
This exciting day of seminars and workshops brings together Essex-based authors, writers and aspiring writers. Listen to author readings at the Pop Up Podium, pick up top tips, meet other writers, and find out more about getting published and publicising your book. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Marconi Digital Storytelling at Sandford Mill
Experience Marconi digital storytelling using our vintage Marconi TV camera equipment green screen and ipads. Discover the Marconi story, write your own script and then film it using the museum collections, images and settings to bring it alive. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
CSI: Essex
How have advances in science and technology changed the way we view crime scenes? Become Crime Scene Investigators: handle CSI equipment, take fingerprints, create photofits - when comparing the pre-digital with modern day methods, which one comes out on top? Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
Stories for After the End of the World – Matthew De Abaitua
Science fiction author Matthew De Abaitua kicks off our first event in Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker - come along to a creative writing workshop in this dark and dystopian atmosphere. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
SHIP AHOY! Nautical Flags and Knots
Join maritime author and illustrator Claudia Myatt and discover the fascinating world of nautical flags and knots. You'll be using the colourful nautical flag code to create a nameplate for your bedroom door. Suitable for ages 8+ Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
The BIG Write: Journeys
Love telling tales and making up stories? Ever written a poem, short story or a song? Using games and creative prompts, find exciting new ways to kick start your writing whether you are 8 or 80. Suitable for ages 4+ Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Tides and Tales
Come along for this creative writing workshop inspired by flotsam and jetsam with children’s author and artist Wendy Constance. As part of our nautical theme, Wendy will help you use your imaginations to unearth the secrets of the deep. Suitable for ages 7-11 year olds. Read more
- For Writers
- Networking
- Workshop
Essex Authors and You
A great opportunity for book lovers, local authors or aspiring writers of all ages: Drop in to the Writers’ Slams, hear a variety of authors read from their books, meet and talk to local authors and publishers; pick up writing tips and inspiration. Read more
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Creative Crime Writing Workshop
Come along to create a baddy (or two), a detective and a simple crime plot with Rosie Sandler, co-author of the Agatha Oddly detective series. Work as a group, pooling ideas and having fun along the way. Suitable for ages 9-13. Read more
- Art
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Weaving with Words
Join local writer and artist Wendy Constance for a fun family drop-in session where you choose words which best describe Paycocke’s House and Garden. Compose a list, a sentence or poem - then write it on fabric which we will all weave together to create a banner to celebrate this special place. Suitable for ages 4+ Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
An Introduction to Crime Writing
Crime novelist Laura Shepherd-Robinson guides participants through writing the perfect crime novel, while providing invaluable advice on how to get published. An absolute must for all aspiring crime writers. Read more
- Art
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Create a Secret Treasure Island
Join artists Lola Swain and Sally Chinea to make your very own handmade book, which, when unfolded, reveals a secret island with a treasure map. Within the pages create your own imaginary creatures that live on and around the island. Read more
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Printing and Illustration Workshop – Manifesto For Essex
Join resident artist Tom Armstrong and Lee Thomas for a children’s printing and illustration extravaganza as part of our Manifesto For Essex activities and hosted in partnership with Colchester’s Extinction Rebellion. Ages 11-16. Read more
- For Writers
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
Wild Writing Workshop
Join James Canton for a workshop which delves into the nature that exists in the cracks between our human constructs, in the wilds just a few feet from our doors. Work with words, reframe your view of how you see the wild, and become mindful of the living landscapes that exist around us. Read more
- SOLD OUT!
- Workshop
- Young Essex
Printing and Illustration Workshop – Manifesto For Essex
Join resident artist Tom Armstrong and Lee Thomas for a children’s printing and illustration extravaganza as part of our Manifesto For Essex activities and hosted in partnership with Colchester’s Extinction Rebellion. Ages 5 and up. Read more
- CANCELLED
- For Writers
- Workshop
Writing on Place in a Changing World
This writing workshop will be looking at how writers place themselves in their physical surroundings and how this embodies itself in their work. Participants will be invited to write, walk and workshop their words as we examine what lies beneath the surface of the places we move through. Read more
- For Writers
- Workshop
Writing for Radio Masterclass
This workshop offers an introduction to writing drama for the radio. Robin Brooks has over twenty years’ experience of writing original plays and adaptations for BBC Radio. Suitable for all tastes and levels of experience. Read more
