Aimed primarily at 13-25 year olds, this is your chance to engage in thought-provoking discussions, participate in interactive creative workshops and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for climate action, culture, and nature.
Join in the celebrations at Hart's Books for your chance to meet and chat with author Fraser Grace over a glass of wine at the launch of his new book, Firestarter. All welcome.
To inaugurate the series of art-themed talks, James Birch, the curator, gallerist and art impresario with many ties to East Anglia, will introduce his newest book, Gilbert & George and the Communists.
Join T100 and Beach of Dreams as we make our way along the Estuary over the Bank Holiday weekend. A chance to explore the characteristics of the landscapes we pass through and connect with local communities, history and music along the way.
Join in the fun at the finale of Essex Book Festival and Kinetika's collaborative story-gathering project, Collecting Dreams, Shifting Futures: a community celebration of Harwich’s fascinating heritage and coastline. Lots of family-friendly activities including beach workshop, silk-flag procession, writing, film-making and eco-podcast workshops, and more...
Join us for a fun workshop at the beach with local educator, Libby Scarfe, learning all about the coast and becoming expert beach explorers!
Join spoken word artist, TriggerBliss, and digital artist Marley Karazimba for writing and film-making workshops
A celebratory, community procession of beautiful Beach of Dreams silk penants taking in some of Harwich's key heritage sites including The High Lighthouse, Ha'penny Pier and Electric Palace Cinema
A special screening event showing short films from the story-gathering project Collecting Dreams, Shifting Futures and Beach of Dreams.
Part vision, part mystery, this story of a midsummer night’s madness, in multi-award-winning poet, playwright and novelist Ben Okri’s inimitable style, is as alive with echoes and reverberations as the enchanted forest itself.
Join Harlow Art Trust for tea and refreshments and meet the people behind the scenes of Drawing on Memories as they discuss and answer questions from you about the Drawing on Memories exhibition.
Celebrate the culmination of the Made in the Mardyke project with a special finale performance and a community picnic.
The photography students at Harlow College are proud to present their work, on the theme of ‘Community’. Throughout the work, they have discovered new insights into their home town and provided empowering representations of areas of Harlow for the viewing public, that offer unique and sensitive perspectives on the people, and culture of Essex.
Fly over the rainbow with this exciting adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Starring the fabulous Fanny Galore as Glinda Galore, alongside a professional cast of West End performers, this spectacular, panto-like, colourful story is packed with hilarious jokes, dazzling dance routines, glittering scenery and plenty more for all the family.
Join us for an event like no other – take a boat trip to the Packing Shed at Mersea Island, a unique piece of our Essex heritage and join two fascinating talks by Ken Worpole and Jules Pretty.
Throughout June, Metal Southend will become a home for Essex writers to share, forge ideas, make connections, gossip, read and write.
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call.
Equally tender and powerful, Daré's evocative follow up to her highly acclaimed debut The Girl With the Louding Voice finds Adunni settling into her new life and school in Lagos, until dramatic news forces her to return to her home village.
Named one of the Observer’s best new novelists for 2024, Nicolas Padamsee will be heading to Hot Box to talk about his brilliant coming-of-age thriller. England is Mine is an urgent debut which takes the reader on a frightening journey into online radicalisation and extremism.
Join Abigail Dean, New York Times bestselling author of Girl A, as she discusses her new book, The Death of Us. Inspired by a long-held nightmare of home invasions – and a long-held dream to write a love story - it is a heart-wrenching new novel about love, tragedy and forgiveness.
Coinciding with the publication of his autobiography, A Lexicon Of Life, join Martin Fry for an intimate evening of stripped-back music and conversation following a sold out tour of the UK. Frontman of iconic British pop band ABC, the band that redefined glamour and cool, Fry will take you on a journey through their well deserved place in pop history.
Costa-winning author of The Mermaid of Black Conch, Monique Roffey, will discuss her electrifying new novel about four women who spark a revolution on a Caribbean island. In a community in which women’s voices are often silenced, a group soon find themselves compelled to speak out when a young female steel-pan player is found dead beneath a cannonball tree.
Join leading British human rights lawyer and campaigner, Shami Chakrabarti for a powerful discussion on Human Rights: The Case for the Defence. This urgent, powerful book demonstrates why human rights matter and why we need to secure further rights to deal with challenges of the present and future.
We are thrilled to be joined by Britain's first ever Black female MP, Diane Abbott, who will be telling her astonishing story of groundbreaking achievement and the political and social challenges she has faced in Parliament.
A walk along the riverside between Purfleet and Grays followed by a picnic in Thurrock CVS community gardens.
Comedian, author and one half of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince will be joining us for a quirky dive into the world of human behaviour. A powerful, personal exploration of anxiety, ADHD and neurodiversity, Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal reminds us all – no matter how weird we feel – that it’s okay to be a little different.
In The Bullet, Tom Lee attempts to understand what happened to his parents - both were patients at Severalls Psychiatric Hospital in Colchester at different times in their lives - and what happened to him. It is a powerful and deeply personal exploration of mental health, and an indelible account of the legacy of familial illness and living with a fracturing mind.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to uncover the mystery of who is causing mayhem in this hidden wildlife sanctuary. Gather your family and test your detective skills as we delve into this intriguing escapade. All welcome.
Essex-based author Sarah Hornsley lived for years in Maldon, where her thrilling debut Bad Blood is set. A huge new voice in crime fiction, Sarah will be talking about writing and releasing her tense, compelling and cleverly plotted thriller. Secrets, lies and family ties unspool in this gripping, twisty, thrill-ride of a book.
Join us for a fun and informative session with Helen Galliano on mastering the art of approaching an island the Broomway!
Author of Sunday Times & New York Times bestseller and TikTok sensation, Murder in the Family, the always impressive Cara Hunter will be discussing her latest book in the DI Adam Fawley series. Making a Killing is a brilliantly twisty and hugely entertaining police thriller.
Times Radio presenter, Stig Abell, will be reflecting on how his love for classic crime and the detective novels of Dorothy L Sayers, Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, to name but a few, have influenced his own crime writing including his latest evocative book in the Jake Jackson crime series, The Burial Place.
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call.
Step into the thrill and danger of Tudor England in the rich, compelling new novel from Sunday Times bestseller Alison Weir - and witness the rise and fall of Cardinal Wolsey.
Celebrating the 20th century women who went to sea, Julia Jones will be diving into the stories of an array of incredible, unconventional and extraordinary women who set their sights on the sea in an all-male world, and paved the way for the female sailing superstars of today.
Let’s celebrate a decade of voices, stories, and resilience. You’re invited to be part of this historic moment!
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Sunday Times bestselling author, Jane Casey, will introduce her latest gripping new thriller featuring DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent, The Secret Room. Delving into how to create a main character, Casey will reflect on the different approaches of Dorothy L Sayers and other classic crime authors in developing compelling detective characters.
A stunning biography of one of the most flamboyant and enigmatic seventeenth-century Englishmen at the heart of political and royal life. Lucy Hughes-Hallett will transport us into a courtly world of masques and dancing, exquisite clothes, the art of Rubens and Van Dyck, gender-fluidity, same-sex desire, and appallingly rudimentary medicine.
An evening of creative conversation exploring themes including the challenges facing the nighttime economy, the rise of sober and day time raves, and finding new forms of connection and community through wellness and fitness.
Join Tim Benzie, creator and host of Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote, for a new one man show taking you on a funny and engrossing deep dive into the appeal of murder mysteries.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
In this conversation aptly named after James Canton’s new book, Canton and fellow author, Chloe Dalton, describe their different approaches to nature writing.
A thrilling history of mudlarkers, charlatans, experts and chancers in the year the Titanic sank and London was growing anew. Diving into the underbelly of London’s bustling, occasionally lawless antiques trade at the turn of the century, narrative historian Victoria Shepherd paints a compelling scene of the city at the height of empire, in the midst of its remarkable transformation into a modern metropolis.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
As the capstone of EA Festival 2025, we are taping an episode of the UK’s #1 podcast about writing, Always Take Notes. Co-hosts Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd will be interviewing physicist and multi-award-winning science writer Frank Close about his latest work, Destroyer of Worlds. Strap yourself in for a fascinating look under the hood of what makes Frank Close tick.
Join artists and estuary philosophers Graham Harwood, Matsuko Yokokoji and Gerolamo Gnecci for a hands-on adventure and workshop along the atmospheric foreshore and on the water. This immersive day invites writers to explore the evocative edges where land meets water.
Maldon Books is thrilled to welcome award-winning author, Elif Shafak, to the URC this June! Elif will be discussing her latest acclaimed novel, 'There Are Rivers in the Sky' to a live audience and signing books afterwards.
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Former police officer and historian Blessin Adams will introduce us to her bold, page-turning new history of traitorous wives, greedy mistresses, cunning female poisoners and spiteful witches. Sharing the stories of women whose violent crimes shattered the narrow confines of their gender – and whose notoriety revealed a society that was at once repulsed by and attracted to murderous female rebellion.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
The No.1 bestselling Queen of Gangland Crime, Kimberley Chambers, will be discussing her epic, pulse-pounding, The Family Man series. The latest thriller, Essex Wives (July 2025) sees the return of Sharon, Jolene and Evie and they’re out for revenge. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Named one of the Observer’s best new novelists for 2024, Nicolas Padamsee will be heading to Hot Box to talk about his brilliant coming-of-age thriller. England is Mine is an urgent debut which takes the reader on a frightening journey into online radicalisation and extremism.
Writer Ashley Hickson Lovence will be in conversation with Seema McArdle exploring the experience of the Escalator mentoring programme.
Whether you're a published author, or a budding writer looking to kickstart your new hobby, come and join international bestselling author Lizzie Chantree & award winning author Chris Penhall for a morning of writing in this FREE writing buddy session at Fête Grays Yard, Chelmsford!
A collaborative poetry project involving writers and performers across Essex! Starts with an Open Mic and Poetry Reading! Begins 19th June and runs throughout the year.
Due to unforeseen circumstances this event has been cancelled. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
An exciting evening with Fiona Cummins talking about her latest book coming out the 19th of June, Some of Us are Liars.
Over the course of a year, the author of A Chip Shop in Poznan and The Gran Tour, visited twelve of the least popular spots in the UK and Ireland (including eating jellied eels in Chelmsford). The motivation wasn’t to take the mickey, but to uncover the gems and have a nice time. He soon discovered that anywhere – like anyone – can be interesting and enjoyable if approached in the right fashion.
The Grammar of Angels tells how Renaissance prodigy and polymath Giovanni Pico della Mirandola dedicated his short, brilliant life to a quest to find the sublime; to reconcile all existing thought into a philosophy that would settle the most important questions about human existence.
Join us for a unique experience of wild swimming and creative writing by the estuary with artist and swimmer Angenita Teekens!
Are you batty about bats? A rare chance to find out more about our bat-tastic friends who live with us in Rainham! From bat detectives, bat story writing, and bat masks, we will discover more about the species living in our local area and how we can help ensure their survival.
A sequel to Dante’s Inferno, which set Dante at the University of Essex, Dante’s Purgatorio relocates to Mersea Island, where a mountain is constructed out of Flexible Rock Substitute (FRS).
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
In this talk, Dr Catherine Pearson will explore the life and work of Rosemary Rutherford (1912-1972) a prolific artist who spent much of her life in East Anglia, and will discuss the Rutherford Project, which has conserved Rosemary’s artworks at Broomfield Church in Essex.
Award-winning poet and playwright Clare Pollard will discuss her brilliant and bawdy, romantic and provocative, dazzling novel, The Modern Fairies which is inspired by real events, about the delights and dangers of storytelling in dark times.
English historian, mythographer, and author of Inventory of A Life Mislaid, Marina Warner will discuss her latest book about sanctuary: what it means for people in desperate situations today, and what refuge and displacement has meant for people throughout history, and the canons of literature and myth.
Join us for some midsummer family magic in The Minories Garden. Take your seat for our Twinkle, Twinkle Storytelling Armchair featuring BBC Essex’s Rob Jelly and local children’s authors. Explore the fascinating stories of spices from around the world with writer, cook and storyteller Radhika Howarth. Get creative and messy in our very own Earth Kitchen. Learn how to weave your own star…
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
We are thrilled to welcome Tony Peake in celebration of this new edition of Derek Jarman: The Authorised Biography covering Jarman's story from childhood to student life and his work as a designer, painter, and filmmaker. New contributions look at Jarman’s impact and legacy over the past five decades and his position as one of the late twentieth century’s most celebrated cultural figures.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of Britain’s most significant and controversial artists, Maggi Hambling, in conversation with art historian, James Cahill about his new book. A story of deception, power play and longing, The Violet Hour exposes the unsettling underbelly of the art world, asking: who is granted admission to a world that only seems to glitter and who is left outside, their faces pressed to the glass? Join us for what is sure to be an honest, sharp and raucous discussion.
Embark on a culinary odyssey across the globe with Radikal Kitchen: Flavours without Borders. Radhika Howarth will take participants on an eye-opening journey of history, fusion, and flavour. Explore different cultures and traditions and experiment with exciting ingredients.
Playwright Nicola Werenowska and Theatre Producer Matt Linley will be guests at Colchester WriteNight on June 23rd. Join them in conversation about a new project using Nicola's research on Katherine of Aragon.
It is no secret that writing is the best thing for writing – but sometimes you need some advice, or just to feel part of a community of writers. With other experienced tutors, Dr Adrian May, Community Fellow and former Deputy Director of Creative Writing at Essex University will be there on call.
In partnership with Federation of Essex Women’s Institutes. The Bride Stone is a spell-binding new historical novel from multi-award-winning author Sally Gardner that opens with a ‘wife sale’ in Thetford and ends with a delicious twist.
Get ready to unleash your inner bard or simply savour the lyrical symphony as you are welcomed to the best-spoken word and poetry night in Chelmsford city.
All creatives welcome! This will be a gentle, participatory space for creatives with an interest in writing and performance, live art, poetry and all the weird and interesting spaces between.
Bold, ambitious and stylistically striking, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning explores the redeeming and transforming beauty of friendship and examines the true limits of hope and forgiveness. A special book club event in collaboration with Appetite Book Club and Red Lion Books.
A fascinating evening with Roger Morgan-Grenville discussing his latest book. The Restless Coast is a moving and beautiful account of a journey around it, during which the author travels its length to discover its challenges and opportunities, and to talk to the people trying to protect it. At once informative, angry and funny, The Restless Coast is a very personal love letter to our island edge.
Internationally bestselling and multi-award-winning author, Chris Brookmyre, and consultant anaesthetist, Dr Marisa Haetzman are husband and wife creative duo – Ambrose Parry. Joining us to discuss the fifth and final instalment in their thrilling Raven and Fisher series, The Death of Shame is inspired by the fascinating historical facts Haetzman uncovered through her master’s degree in the History of Medicine.
Discover the rich wealth of local writing as Thurrock Libraries celebrates authors and poets from across the borough. Discuss writing, hear author stories, learn creative writing tips, and browse their books to buy and take home.
Dr Janet Dyson will provide an introduction to the group of artists who gathered in the Essex village of Great Bardfield from the 1930s onwards.
New York Times bestselling author, Paul French who specialises in the history of 20th century China, joins us to examine a controversial and revealing period in the early life of the legendary Wallis Simpson. French will reveal the untold story of what really happened to Wallis during that year in China, dispelling many of the myths and gossip surrounding it.
estselling author of the Giordano Bruno books, S. J. Parris will be joining us to discuss her latest book, Traitor’s Legacy. England, 1598. Queen Elizabeth’s successor remains unnamed. The country teeters on a knife edge. A young heiress is found murdered at the theatre. A page-turning new historical series that pitches Tudor secret agent Sophia de Wolfe into a dangerous game with the royal court.
Historian and broadcaster, Gareth Russell, will explore the life and loves of Britain’s first King. James Stuart did not always love wisely, but he never failed to do so boldly. This groundbreaking book puts James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history.
Want to learn how to write plays? This is the first of two workshops in Jaywick run by scriptwriter Molly Anne Sweeney, exploring how to craft a monologue for the stage inspired by your local surroundings - no experience is necessary.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Discover the stories and secrets of Essex with a guided walk through some of its finest landscapes.
Want to learn how to write plays? Missed the first workshop in July? Don't worry! Sign up now and come along in September!
Join us for an evening with trail-blazing contemporary artist, Liliane Lijn, whose seminal kinetic artworks redefined the possibilities of creative and artistic expression. Don’t miss this chance to hear, in her own words, the story of an artist who refused to be categorised.
The Art:Up Continues! Join us on Thursday 13th November at Hot Box Chelmsford for live poetry performances and an open mic. New collaborative work to premier. The theme for this event is Radical Islands.
Head to the glorious Layer Marney Tower to hear four very different authors discuss their very different books. Tickets are available for individual events or there is a delicious discount to encourage you to go along for the whole day!
A family-friendly exhibition that explores the works of Chelmsford-born bestselling children’s author, Kes Gray.
A rare opportunity to hear two internationally acclaimed artists in dialogue, reflecting on inheritance, identity, and the role of art and language in navigating a world shaped by history, violence, and renewal. Expect a thought-provoking evening that moves between the personal and the universal, rooted in deep cultural knowledge.