They are looking for a poet with experience of community-engaged practice and a curiosity for how poetry can emerge through walking, conversation and shared reflection. The selected poet will listen closely to what surfaces through festival walks and events, working with participants’ words, ideas and experiences to create new original poems rooted in place and collective authorship.

What the poet will receive:

– A funded commission to develop new poetic work
– Support from the T100 and Kinetika team
– Opportunities to lead and contribute to festival events
– A platform to share new work as part of the 2026 T100 Festival
 
Extended deadline: Applications are now open until midday on Thursday 15 January 2026.
 
Find out more about the opportunity and how to apply at https://t100festival.co.uk/

The post Poet Opportunity with Kinetika appeared first on Essex Book Festival.

Meandering Mondays
Meandering Mondays are a gentle stroll of up to 2 miles in different Thurrock locations, followed by tea and chats. They take place every second Monday of the month – no booking required.

Weekend Trails
Weekend Trails are longer walks of up to 5 miles in Thurrock and the surrounding areas, often focused around a special theme. They take place on Saturdays or Sundays each month – booking required.

October

Meandering Monday, Purfleet
Monday 13 October, 10am – 12pm

Join this walk in Purfleet starting and ending at the Kinetika Studio, exploring the vibrant T100 Natural Dye Garden and rounding off with tea and cake.

Weekend Trail, East Tilbury
Saturday 11 October, 10am – 1pm

A 5-mile, 3-hour walk along the East Tilbury Sea Wall, starting at the train station and linking with the BATA Heritage Centre’s open day.

Find out more at t100festival.co.uk/regularwalks/

November

Meandering Monday, South Ockendon
Monday 11 November, 10am – 12pm

Discover South Ockendon with a gentle walk from the Garden Centre to the Mollands Lane Sensory Garden, finishing cup with tea and cake.

Weekend Trail, Little Belhus
Sunday 16 November, 10am – 1pm

A 4.6-mile, 3-hour walk in little Belhus, from Ockendon Station or The Green, where you’ll explore insights on historical pilgrimage routes through Thurrock and end with a visit to the beautiful St Nicholas Church.

Find out more at t100festival.co.uk/regularwalks/

T100
Explore | Talk | Create

T100 is a free cultural programme that invites you to connect with Thurrock and its surroundings in new and unexpected ways. By exploring local places, sharing stories, and getting creative, they bring people together and celebrate the voices that make our communities unique.

Visit T100festival.co.uk to learn more.

Follow @T100festival

The post T100 Autumn Programme of Walks Announced appeared first on Essex Book Festival.

Saturday 30 May 2026, 11.00am – 4.00pm

Join poet and gardener Rachel Morgan for a relaxed walk from Purfleet Station to the Kinetika Community Natural Dye Garden. Along the way, we’ll pause to share poems inspired by the local area, noticing the small details and everyday stories that shape this part of Thurrock.

In the garden, discover the plants used to create natural dyes and spend time writing, listening and reflecting together. The afternoon includes welcoming, easy-to-join poetry activities, open to everyone, with space to explore ideas of place, language and home at your own pace.

Meeting point: Purfleet Station Car park. London Road, RM19 1PP
End point: Kinetika Natural Dye Garden Purfleet-on-Thames, Purfleet RM19 1RX

Tickets: Free, booking essential
Box Office: Eventbrite.co.uk

Also don’t miss the celebratory finale of T100 2026 – A Place at the Table: Celebrating Our Community – an afternoon of making, performance, food and conversation in the heart of Purfleet on Saturday 6 June.

The post Purfleet Poems in the Garden appeared first on Essex Book Festival.