Through interactive exhibits, toys and illustrations Oi Chelmsford! Kes Gray: Chelmsford Born and Read will celebrate the author’s best loved book characters and share how his childhood experiences across Chelmsford have influenced their adventures.

Oi Chelmsford! is an ode to Kes Gray’s quirky imagination. Children will be able to immerse themselves in the author’s books, with large, bold and colourful illustrations on display – including drawings by famed children’s illustrators, Nick Sharratt, Garry Parsons and Jim Field.

Increasing access for SEN families

Oi Chelmsford! has been curated by the museum in collaboration with Kes Gray and publishers Penguin Random House and Hachette Children’s Group. The museum has also worked closely on the exhibition with young Special Educational Needs (SEN) families through the charity Action for Family Carers. Local SEN families have been consulted during the design phase of the exhibition, to ensure interactive elements are widely accessible to all families and provide positive sensory experiences for SEN children. The outcome of this work will help build upon the museum’s existing offer for SEN families.

Exhibition opens 29 November

Oi Chelmsford! opens on Saturday 29 November and will run until June 2026.

An accompanying programme of events will provide opportunities for families to further explore the imaginative world of Kes Gray.

Watch this space for news of our special Oi Chelmsford! event taking place during Essex Book Festival 2026!

Read more about the Oi Chelmsford! exhibition in this Chelmsford City Life article.

The post New children’s exhibition to explore the imagination of Oi Frog! author Kes Gray appeared first on Essex Book Festival.

Saturday 30 May 2026, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Museum of Chelmsford, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ

Comic Art Masterclass with Kev F Sutherland who writes and draws for Beano, Doctor Who and Marvel comics, and makes graphic novels adapted from Shakespeare.

Now he’ll teach you how easy it is. After the end of this Comic Art Masterclass, everyone goes away with a comic containing a strip by everyone in the class plus an individual caricature by Kev F.

Learn everything he knows, so you could leave school and steal his job!

Find out more about Kev F Sutherland at kevfcomicartist.com/.

For ages 7+

Tickets: £6 per child includes entry to Museum of Chelmsford

Museum of Chelmsford Members can use still use their 10% off discount benefit when booking online. All members will have received a promocode in a recent email, but if you haven’t received this, contact them direct on museums@chelmsford.gov.uk or by calling 01245 605700.

This event is part of Oi Chelmsford! – a day of family storytelling, and artist and writing workshops at the Museum of Chelmsford set against the fabulous backdrop of the exhibition Oi Chelmsford! Kes Gray: Chelmsford Born and Read – a celebration of the work and life of Chelmsford-born bestselling children’s author, Kes Gray.

Event Information

☕  The Hive Cafe will be open and serving drinks and food.
🚗 There is limited free parking at the venue.
♿ The venue is wheelchair accessible. There are disabled facilities on site. Find out more at chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/accessibility/.
📸 We will be taking photos at this event. If you do not want your photo taken please let a member of the team know on arrival.
🌐 Find out more about visiting the venue at chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/visit/museum-of-chelmsford/.

The post Comic Art Masterclass appeared first on Essex Book Festival.

Saturday 30 May 2026, 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Museum of Chelmsford, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ

A writing workshop for aspiring children’s authors inspired by Kes Gray’s Oi Chelmsford! exhibition. 

Come along to a hands-on workshop that will inspire you to craft your own stories. Delivered by Sade Fadipe (author of prose, poetry and playscripts) who was first inspired by the Quentin Blake’s playful style, during an Author visit to a school she taught at many years ago. Sade’s narrative and unusual journey into authorship is enough to motivate anyone with dreams of one day becoming published!

Tickets: £20 / £15 concessions (students, under 27s and unwaged) includes entry to Museum of Chelmsford

Museum of Chelmsford Members can use still use their 10% off discount benefit when booking online. All members will have received a promocode in a recent email, but if you haven’t received this, contact them direct on museums@chelmsford.gov.uk or by calling 01245 605700.

This event is part of Oi Chelmsford! – a day of family storytelling, and artist and writing workshops at the Museum of Chelmsford set against the fabulous backdrop of the exhibition Oi Chelmsford! Kes Gray: Chelmsford Born and Read – a celebration of the work and life of Chelmsford-born bestselling children’s author, Kes Gray.

Event Information

☕  The Hive Cafe will be open and serving drinks and food.
🚗 There is limited free parking at the venue.
♿ The venue is wheelchair accessible. There are disabled facilities on site. Find out more at chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/accessibility/.
📸 We will be taking photos at this event. If you do not want your photo taken please let a member of the team know on arrival.
🌐 Find out more about visiting the venue at chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/visit/museum-of-chelmsford/.

The post The Art of Playfulness – A writing workshop for aspiring children’s authors appeared first on Essex Book Festival.

Saturday 30 May 2026, 11.00am
Museum of Chelmsford, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ

The man himself, author Kes Gray, will be joining us for this family event as he talks about the influence of his Chelmsford childhood on the many stories he has written. Get ready for a delightfully quirky fun time with all the family.

All those aged under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets: £6 includes entry to Museum of Chelmsford.
Box Office: eventbrite.co.uk

Museum of Chelmsford Members can use still use their 10% off discount benefit when booking online. All members will have received a promocode in a recent email, but if you haven’t received this, contact them direct on museums@chelmsford.gov.uk or by calling 01245 605700.

This event is part of Oi Chelmsford! – a day of family storytelling, and artist and writing workshops at the Museum of Chelmsford set against the fabulous backdrop of the exhibition Oi Chelmsford! Kes Gray: Chelmsford Born and Read. A celebration of the work and life of Kes Gray.

Event Information

💬 The event will include an audience Q&A session.
📚 Copies of the book will be available to purchase on the day.
🖊️ After the event there will be an opportunity to get the book signed by the author.
🪑 Seats are unallocated.
📸 We will be filming and taking photos at this event.
☕  The Hive Cafe will be open and serving drinks and food.
♿ The venue is wheelchair accessible. There are disabled facilities on site. chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/accessibility/
🌐 Find out more about visiting the venue at chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/visit/museum-of-chelmsford/.

Kes Gray

Photo of Kes Gray © Paul Starr

Kes Gray was born and grew up in Chelmsford in the 1960s and ‘70s. He has published over 100 books, including the popular Oi Frog! and The Trouble with Daisy series. Well-loved by young families for their humour and creativity, his books are largely inspired by his memories of growing up in Chelmsford and feature regular references to places and people across the district.

The post Oi Chelmsford! Meet the Author appeared first on Essex Book Festival.