Essex Explorer Magazine Autumn Winter 2022

ESSEX

EXPLORER

Welcome...

You can scare yourself silly by listening to spooky tales and stories thanks to the Eerie Essex podcasts or read about the Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft and Magic exhibition at Colchester Castle.

We’ve also got some great Christmas events for you, from a Charles Dickens Christmas Carol Experience with a difference and the chance to see a Winter Window Wonderland courtesy of The Grand Theatre of Lemmings.

We’re happy to share with you some wonderful photography and the latest news from our awardwinning parks.

You can also find out more about Essex Libraries Winter Reading Challenge, along with our seasonal book recommendations as we head into the autumn and winter months, as well as much, much more.

About us

Essex brings together a unique group of green spaces and heritage places owned and managed by Essex County Council. Our mission is to provide a range of facilities and activities for the people of Essex to enjoy. Conservation is also at the heart of what we do, and any money spent with the Explore Essex group of places is ultimately reinvested to maintain and develop our sites for the benefit of visitors and to protect the flora and fauna within.

Get Connected

To the autumn and winter edition of Essex Explorer magazine. In this edition we bring some brilliant ideas to help you get out and about over the next few months.

Culture News

Following its launch in late 2021, the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund received over 200 applications. Of these, 47 were successful and have received grant awards of between £2,500 - £25,000.

Excitingly, many of these supported projects have been live over the summer for people to enjoy. These have included events, holiday clubs and festivals across the county such as Colchester, Tendring and Harlow. From music in Brightlingsea and theatre in Frinton-on-Sea, to summer holiday drama and coding clubs providing children with new skills and experiences, residents have been able to enjoy a wide variety of free or low-cost cultural sessions on their doorsteps.

Now we look forward to a thrilling autumn as some of the bigger programmes of activity launch. In this edition, we talk to the organisers of the Colchester Film Festival at Firstsite, Eerie Essex and the Christmas Carol Experience to find out more about what they have in store this coming season.

If you love theatre, read our feature on pages 22-23 with Angela Whatling, as we go behind the scenes at the Mercury to find out what’s involved in the day-to-day job of a costume maker at the theatre.

Expressions of interest for the second year of the Arts and Cultural Fund are now open.

Explore Essex News

Green Flags for Essex Country Parks

Explore Essex is delighted that the Essex Country Parks have been recognised for their excellent standards by being awarded Green Flag status again for 2022/2023.

The Green Flag awards recognise well managed parks throughout the country and demonstrate that the spaces meet the needs of the communities they serve.

The international award confirms that Essex Country Parks, for the third year running, boast the highest possible environmental standards, are well maintained and have excellent visitor facilities.

The Essex Country Parks of Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Danbury, Great Notley, Hadleigh, Thorndon and Weald have all received Green Flag status and will be displaying their flags within the park grounds.

Recent research conducted by BritianThinks - on behalf of Essex County Council and the Essex Climate Action Commissionrevealed that 98% of the county’s residents agreed that accessing nature and green spaces was important to them.

Find a country park near you by visiting www.explore-essex.com/ places-to-go/our-parks-and-places

You can discover our suggested parks to visit this autumn and winter on pages eight and nine.

Weald Country Park

Essex

is calling for

Essex Country Parks in autumn and winter

Autumn and winter can be glorious times to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful bursts of colour as the leaves start to turn and fall, the wooded areas of our parks provide great areas to ramble through. Woodlands offer stunning scenery and shelter for walks as the winds get up and the weather turns colder.

Park Spotlight: Thorndon Country Park

Nature lovers, walkers and families alike will love the tranquil woodlands of Thorndon North which surround the beautiful Childerditch pond and attract many migrant and over-wintering birds, such as bramblings, siskins and redpolls.

The famous and much-loved Gruffalo trail also starts here. Pick up a trail map in the countryside centre for a small price before you head into the ‘deep, dark woods’. You can also enjoy a warm drink from the café when you’ve found all the characters.

Natural but clearly marked paths traverse Thorndon North’s beautiful woodlands and Thorndon South’s open parkland. The old Thorndon pastures that link the south and north offer views as far as London. Many walks will pass grazing animals, such as rare breeds of sheep, goats and cattle.

Also, thanks to the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership scheme, the park has surfaced 1000 metres of new pathways to improve access for visitors.

Discover more by visiting: www.explore-essex.com/ thorndon-country-park

Belhus Woods Country Park

With over 300 acres in south Essex, Belhus Woods Country Park combines ancient woodland and working woods with a children’s play area, flower meadows, open grassland, fishing and conservation lakes.

Many of the woodlands have existed since 1600 (or before) and consist of hazel, mature oak and ash. Woodland cutting at Belhus - a practice known as coppicing which is over 400-years-old - is carried out on rotation and occurs every seven years.

Birdwatchers can discover interesting species in abundance at Belhus Woods. Bird life includes mute swans, tufted ducks, woodpeckers, kingfishers, kestrels and lapwings. In winter, you’ll see small flocks of finches, such as siskins and redpolls. Sand martins and nightingales are among the spring nesting birds on site.

Find out more by visiting: www. explore-essex.com/belhus-woods

Weald Country Park

At Weald Country Park, you can enjoy over 520 acres of woodland, lakes, hay and wildflower meadows, a deer park, children’s play, open grassland and spectacular views.

While the park is well known for its richness of space, deer park and children’s play, it also contains a wealth of wooded areas and veteran trees, most can be easily accessed from Lincolns Lane car park.

Originally a medieval deer park, the Tower family expanded the park to the north east in the 1800s, creating these plantations and the impressive Chestnut Avenue. The woods are now managed for conservation and the area is rich in wildlife. It’s also home to some ancient oaks and hornbeams, some of which are over 500-years-old. If you’re lucky you may spot the resident herd of wild fallow deer in this area of the park.

Discover more by visiting: www. explore-essex.com/parktrails/weald-trail

Thorndon (North) Country Park

Photography in the parks

With photographer Andrew Adams

Andrew Adams is a resident of Brentwood and a long time Essex Explorer contributor who enjoys nothing more than trekking and photographing the flora and fauna found within

amazing parks across the county. He is an experienced and multifaceted photographer with interests in wildlife, landscape and street photography.

These

taken

Parks.

winter

Explore Epping Forest

Did you know Epping Forest is home to over 50,000 ancient trees and with some believed to have been growing since Anglo-Saxon times? Or that two-thirds of Epping Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation due to the ancient trees and the flora and fauna found within its woods?

Here you can discover a gentle meander through the forest which takes you past ponds, through woodland pathways and tarmacked tracks.

This easy four-mile walk is on woodland paths and tracks and features some gentle slopes. There are no stiles to climb over, only gates, and the walk is suitable for all ages.

• Facing the King’s Oak pub turn right and keep going for 75 yards (68 metres) up to the green gates. Then turn left onto a faintly marked path and keeping the wooded fence on your left, you’ll come to a junction with a more substantial path. Remember this as you’ll need to recognise it on your way back.

• Take this track left to a triangular junction marked with a blue arrow marker post, bear right down the track, this leads to the A104.

• Take care crossing the road and then go through the car park and bear right at the blue marker post. Fork right and then turn right at the next blue arrow post and then straight on past the last blue arrow post, this track eventually leads to a road. Keep walking ahead and then left of Strawberry Hill Pond. Keep left when passing the second larger pond and after bearing right you’ll find a wider grassy track.

• Take this track right – this takes you back to the A104, again take care crossing. Go through the narrow wooden gate and continue by taking a slight right on the substantial path to Fairmead Road.

• Turn right and continue until you see a white topped post on your left. Turn left along

this wider clearing with trees on your immediate left, and you’ll come to a junction with a more substantial track and then turn left.

• Follow this track and then cross the road and opposite you’ll come to a metal barrier which you can continue past.

• Keep on this track and when you come to the junction turn left and it’ll bring you back to your start point, the road which the King’s Head pub is on.

Image credit: Joy Davidson

This couple near Braintree had a heat pump fitted as part of the scheme and are now benefitting from lowcost and low-carbon heating.

The Sustainable Warmth Fund Helping you cut your energybills and carbon footprint

You may be eligible for £10,000 of home improvements to make your property more energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cheaper to heat if it is has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.

If you are an Essex homeowner and your household income is below £30,000, or you receive certain benefits, the Sustainable Warmth Fund may be able to reduce your energy bills, through covering the cost of improvements such as, insulation, sustainable heating, ventilation, hot water systems, solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and lighting.

Applications are currently open for the Sustainable Warmth Fund, and you can apply by completing the Sustainable Warmth Scheme application form by visiting: www.surveys.est.org.uk/s/ GreenHomesGrantSchemeLAD

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can cut your carbon footprint at home and reduce the cost of your energy bills, then read Essex County Council’s and the Essex Climate Action Commission’s advice pack.

It’s for Essex residents and is full of useful climate action guidance, information and resources to help you - view the pack by visiting: www.essexclimate.org.uk/ essex-advice-pack

Are you struggling to keep up with the rising costs of energy this winter?

See the Earth from (our) space

‘Gaia’ at Chelmsford Cathedral

An awe-inspiring art installation is coming to Essex for the first time this autumn when Chelmsford Cathedral hosts Luke Jerram’s spectacular ‘Gaia’. Measuring six metres in diameter and created from 120 dots per inch detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, ‘Gaia’ provides the opportunity to see the planet in its entirety as it slowly revolves in the nave of Chelmsford Cathedral, accompanied by a surround-sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.

‘Gaia’ is hosted by Chelmsford Cathedral and will open to the public on Wednesday 12 October until Sunday 30 October. It has been brought to the city with the support of the Essex Climate Action Challenge Fund and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) who will feature ‘Gaia’ as part of their first annual Chelmsford Science Festival.

‘Gaia’ will be open for visitors during the day and on selected evenings. During this time local environmental and eco-organisations have been invited to provide interactive

displays to encourage us to think about ways to protect our planet. In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy live music, talks and an evening of yoga against the spectacular backdrop of ‘Gaia’.

To inspire young minds, ‘Gaia’ is open throughout half term with eco-themed craft activities taking place from Monday 24 October to Friday 28 October in association with Chelmsford City Culture. Children will be able to get involved in living art including creating tree strings and natural collages and

let their imaginations run wild with sponge painting and junk modelling. Family Science Day takes place on Saturday 15 October with ARU’s Global Sustainability Institute who will be delivering a range of interactive activities around the cathedral grounds.

As Chelmsford Cathedral expects to welcome many visitors during the ‘Gaia’ installation, the cathedral will be offering timed-entry tickets. Entry during the day is free and there is a small charge to visit in the evening when ‘Gaia’ will be beautifully illuminated and the cathedral lit by candlelight.

Tickets to special events will be limited and organisers advise early booking. All tickets can be booked via the Chelmsford Cathedral website: www.chelmsfordcathedral. org.uk/gaia

For the latest information, please follow @chelmsfordcathedral on Facebook.

‘Gaia’ images by Phil Longfoot

Deepenings: A new arts project for Cudmore Grove

On the Essex coast there are places that still feel wild, places that remember when the water was lower and remember when it was higher. Here the elements sing and squabble. Doggerland feels close. Ancient spirits tell of the homes lost to the water, the hands that built them and the giant creatures that once sailed up there in the water above where our heads are now.

The Deepenings team of artists invite you to join them on an adventure that aims to illustrate poetic versions of the past, both deep and shallow, and to imagine prophetic versions of possible things to come. Three female artists collaborate to read and retell the landscape, developing experiences that will bring magic outdoors to Cudmore Grove… or transport its special landscape back home to you.

Expect labyrinth building, storytelling, the collecting of memories and dreams and a new walking trail. A series of talks connected to the project, the park, its history, future and very special environment will be held this winter. Community and school workshops will be held in late autumn, winter and spring.

To find out more, visit www.thedeepeningsproject.com or look out for drop-in sessions with the artists at Mersea Island Museum.

Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle

Colchester Castle’s newest exhibition will transport you back in time to the 1500 and 1600s.

During this time, a terrifying fear campaign was spreading throughout Europe which saw hundreds of people accused of witchcraft, arrested and imprisoned in many locations across the country, including Colchester Castle.

Essex became well known for its persecution of suspected witches, indeed the first person in England to be executed under a Witchcraft Act was Elizabeth Lowys, who lived in Great Waltham.

Now in 2022, five hundred years later, many of the stories of victims like Elizabeth are at risk of being lost – overshadowed by tales of people like the famous Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins.

This fascinating exhibition in collaboration with the world-famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and Museum of British Folklore in Boscastle, will finally give a voice to those people, who were persecuted, imprisoned, and even executed on suspicion of witchcraftchallenging visitors to question who the “wicked spirits” really were?

In Essex alone, around 1,000 people were accused of witchcraft between 1500 – 1800. Some of those

accused spent time in the cells at Colchester Castle while awaiting trial. Accusations ranged from using animal familiars to kill neighbours to meeting in secret and reading from mysterious books.

The exhibition, although sensitive in nature, has been developed for a family audience.

Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle is open from now until Friday 6 January 2023.

Find out more by visiting: www.colchester.cimuseums. org.uk/wickedspirits

You can also listen to an Eerie Essex podcast where the Eerie Essex team interview Colchester Castle’s Collections and Learning Curator about the Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic exhibition.

To listen visit: www.eerieessex.com

A witch bottle found during excavations at Middleborough.

Eerie Essex –delve into the darker side of the county

In this edition we speak to Bethan Briggs-Miller and Ailsa Clarke, the team behind Eerie Essex to find out more about the podcast, their plans for the future, and how you can get involved when the team take Eerie Essex on the road later this year.

Tell us about Eerie Essex, how would you sum it up? Eerie Essex is a podcast which delves into the darker side of the county. We explore the folklore, urban legends and supernatural encounters that form part of Essex’s rich history. From ghosts to cryptids, UFOs to witches we want to share these stories as they were meant to be told, in the voices through the generations.

How did you get started?

We met whilst working as gallery assistants at Firstsite. It was here that we would spend time talking to visitors and swapping any recent tales and legends we’d discovered. During lockdown we started listening to ‘Weird Norfolk’ and we asked if they’d ever include tales from Essex, they said ‘well why don’t you do it’, so we did.

Do you have any favourite stories?

Probably the most surprising episode was the one we did on haunted woods. That led us down some very dark rabbit holes but the episode we did on fairies with Jo Hickey-Hall from the Modern Fairy Sightings podcast was such a joy and left us all in giggles at some points.

What’s next?

We have recently been awarded a grant from the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund to expand into a proper oral history project. This grant will allow us to upgrade our recording equipment, launch a professional website and most importantly take the podcast on the road to record people’s stories across Essex.

Red Lion Walk, Colchester

How can people get involved and share their own stories?

We want people to share with us any strange stories they grew up with. Any tale told by a grandparent, a whisper in the schoolyard and the tales that would leave goosebumps on even the hardest sceptic. We shall be setting up recording stations across the county where people will be able to come and have a chat and leave their story with us.

We will be announcing dates and venues soon on our new website and social media so keep an eye out.

If people want to send their stories in, they can contact us via eerieessexpodcast@gmail.com or go on to the ‘Share a Story’ page on our website: www.eerieessex.com

To find our more about Eerie Essex and to listen to the latest podcasts visit: www.eerieessex.com

Eerie Essex have recorded a special on the Colchester Castle Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic exhibition – it’s available on all podcast platforms.

Also, listen out for their Darker Side of Yuletide special which will be released mid-December.

Costumes, Christmas & Sparkles

Have you always wanted to work as a costume maker?

I have had a couple of different careers prior to becoming a costume maker. I was previously an accountant and then an early year’s practitioner until one day someone asked me if I could do anything for a job what would it be? I answered that I would like to make costumes for a living, which I had been doing for a few years for my daughters and local amateur dramatic groups. The question stayed with me and I started to look at how I could turn my dream into a reality.

How did you get into the line of work and what would you advise those who are interested?

Getting started wasn’t easy but fortunately I had friends that worked in theatre and work started to come in slowly, it was the Mercury Creatives scheme that really helped my career.

The scheme taught me a lot about starting out in the industry especially the importance of networking, along with areas such as finance, marketing and contracts. The whole scheme really helped, and my mentor Corinna Vincent was great, she gave me the confidence to believe in myself as this didn’t come easy to me when I was starting out. I wouldn’t be working in this industry or be as successful without her.

Would you recommend a career as a costume maker?

As for career choices I love it and would recommend it to anyone interested. Each working day is different and there are many ways of being creative. You never know what the next project might be, and by bringing to life a designer’s drawing and seeing it is a thrill each and every time a new creation is put on the stage.

Also, in my experience, I’ve found everyone in the industry to be very friendly and supportive.

Are you part of a team of costume makers and designers at the Mercury?

I am a freelance costume maker and supervisor and have my own studio at home, however I am always happy when I’m in the workroom at the Mercury alongside other freelance costume makers and the two permanent members of wardrobe staff. They have become great friends as well as colleagues.

The Mercury are respectful of freelancers and they make us feel as included as any permanent members of the whole production team.

What are the day-to-day activities of a costume maker?

Each day is different it could be dressing a show, creating a pattern, fitting costumes onto performers, maintenance, or making the costumes.

Creating stunning outfits is all part of the job for freelance costume designer, Angela Whatling. Here Angela explains what’s involved in the day-to-day job of a costume maker at the Mercury theatre.

Image credit: Marc Brenner

How far in advance do you work to make a costume for a theatre production?

Work varies as some costumes are needed urgently. At the Mercury, costumes are made in the four-week rehearsal period for a show, while pantomime is started earlier due to the number of costumes and fitting it around other productions.

Are there any costumes you have created that you’re proud of?

I am proud of all my creations however some I have more of a fondness for especially when they have been challenging to make. A few years back I made Princess Auroras dress (from Sleeping Beauty) and her finale dress, which had over 3000 sequins attached by myself on it.

The actor playing Aurora cried with joy when she first saw it and you could hear the audience gasp when she came out for the finale, that was a great highlight. Also making a stunning red dress for Lola in Kinky Boots.

Is there a costume that you would like to make for a particular production?

I would love to make a show girl costume or design and create something for someone flamboyant like Lady Gaga or Kylie Minogue.

What is the largest theatre production you’ve been involved with?

I have had some amazing opportunities so far and worked in many theatres all of which are magical to me. I guess the one most famous would be Sadlers Wells. For me it’s more about the production and what is being performed and required from me, the harder the challenge the bigger the satisfaction.

What are you looking forward to working on in 2022/2023?

The Mercury have some very exciting productions planned for the rest of this year and 2023 which I hope to be involved in, and as a freelancer who knows what new project will come along. It’s what makes it exciting!

You can marvel at the costumes this Christmas at the magical Mercury panto of Beauty and the Beast

Running from Saturday 26 November 2022 to Sunday 15 January 2023, this classic tale is as old as time and is unmissable family fun. Suitable for ages fiveyears-old and over, tickets cost £15 - £32.50. For more information visit: www. mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/ beauty-and-the-beast or see the listings on page 40.

Image credit: Craig Fuller

Image credit: Marc Brenner

Image credit: Marc Brenner

Image credit: Marc Brenner

A Christmas Carol in Colchester

Supported by Essex County Council’s Arts and Cultural Fund, the Christmas Carol Experience is to bring an interactive festive trail to Colchester. Here we find out more from the Christmas Carol Experience team.

How did the Christmas Carol Experience start?

The Christmas Carol Experience began life as a live-performance show in 2016 and was performed in the atmospheric and historical chapel at Layer Marney Tower. The cast of performers have been coming together every year since, except 2020.

This year we decided to embark on an exciting project to bring the musically accompanied story to thousands more people, by transforming it into a digitally accessible, freely available experience throughout Colchester, 24-hours a day during the Christmas period.

How many years has the Christmas Carol Experience been running?

The performance has been running every year since 2016 (except for the Christmas of 2020), when despite our optimistic preparations, the restrictions at the time wouldn’t allow for it.

Over time, it’s moved from Layer Marney - where it spent its first two years - to touring a variety of venues across Essex and Suffolk and annually features in a charity concert for local causes. This is the first year since its inception that we are transforming the experience for the city centre, alongside running our usual live performances.

What can visitors look forward to during the six weeks? With their phone in-hand and a pair of headphones, visitors will listen to the single-actor narration, bringing life to a raft of well known and much loved Dickens characters, accompanied by the Christmas Carol closeharmony vocal group composed of professional singers.

Supporting the 12 chapters of our retelling will be the installations of work by eight local artists and four local community groups. The variety and creativity of the artists involved in the project is incredibly

exciting and showcases just some of the talent and imagination around the county.

The trail brings together interactive and thought-provoking digital animation, mosaic and textural weaving, abstract oil painting, millinery and lacework, beautiful glass painting, and multidimensional illustrations.

What form is the production going to take?

We’re presenting an audio narration of an original adaptation of Dickens Christmas Carol, which will take people on a twelve-stop festive trail around Colchester centre.

At each stopping point - which can be engaged with as standalone points of interest or part of the full route - a currently disused shop window will be transformed into a moment of Christmas magic. A QR code will lead to a narrated chapter of the story accompanied by a beautiful mix of original and

‘They were now in the busy thoroughfares of a city... Here too it was Christmas time again; but it was evening, and the streets were lighted up...’ (Charles Dickens, ‘A Christmas Carol’)

favourite classic Christmas music, while within each window, one of our eight local artists and four community groups will produce a thought-provoking and creative installation that represents the story, themes or characters of the chapter.

How will people be able to take part?

Anyone visiting Colchester will find our Christmas windows throughout the city centre and they can listen to the musically accompanied chapters by scanning the QR codes at each location.

The artwork will be audio-described and the chapters captioned for those requiring it. The full narration is also something that will be available to those with reduced mobility to access at home.

How has the Arts and Cultural Fund helped your organisation?

The Arts and Cultural Fund has been invaluable in allowing us to run the festive trail at the scale we

have planned this year.

Do you have any future projects you could tell us about?

During December we’ll be touring our live production around the county and further afield. These performances include venues in Bures and Dunmow, and also a very special new theatre dining experience in the new Colchester café, Patch.

For future projects, we have plans to bring the festive trail to other Essex cities and towns and showcase local artistic talent and creativity, as well as continue the tours of our live show.

The free Christmas Carol Experience trail is running from Wednesday 16 November 2022 to Sunday 8 January 2023 in Colchester city centre. For more information visit www.christmascarol festivetrail.co.uk

A Winter Window Wonderland

The Grand Theatre of Lemmings will bring a magical Winter Window Wonderland alive this year with a light festival featuring bands, street theatre and much more. Here we talk to The Grand Theatre of Lemmings to find out more about them and what they have planned.

How did The Grand Theatre of Lemmings start?

The Grand Theatre of Lemmings was set up in 1984 after the founder members met working at an alternative theatre company in London, and after two years of touring with them we decided to establish The Grand Theatre of Lemmings. That way we could take our own brand of slapstick comedy and tour the theatres and festivals in both the UK and worldwide.

What can people look forward to?

The Winter Window Wonderland is on in Manningtree from Thursday 1 December to Saturday 24 December and on each night an illuminated window will be unveiled, just like an advent calendar.

On Saturday 17 December we’ll have a winter light festival with street theatre, illuminated bands, stilts and much more. Also, they’ll be a family light parade from 6.00pm with local drummers, lanterns and banners. All the preparation for the event will be taking place during November and December.

How will people be able to take part?

With workshops taking place in November and window displays, a light parade and street theatre in December there’s plenty for people to enjoy. Also, it’s an open access event so we don’t have limits on numbers so people can turn up and enjoy themselves.

All the activities will be advertised in advance, either through social media or on a more local level with leaflets and posters. If anyone would like to know more we can also be contacted at: lemmingstheatre@icloud.com

What kind of art practitioners have you worked with in the past?

We’ve worked with a wide range including Walk The Plank on Sparks Will Fly, the Essex Olympic Project and Danny Boyle on his 14-18 Now Armistice project on West Beach in Clacton.

We’ve also worked with 100’s of local creative practitioners and artists as we ran The Tendring Children’s Carnival for 10 years. We also regularly program a huge range of outdoor arts companies into festivals.

Have you held an event like this before?

Yes, we’ve held festival events in all five of the major Tendring towns. Currently, we’re touring an event to 16 Essex libraries, festivals and schools as well as nationally and internationally.

How has the Arts and Cultural Fund helped your organisation?

Quite simply, the Arts and Culture Fund gives us the opportunity to grow the festival, employ artists and practitioners and deliver a great family arts event which also helps to further embed us in our local community.

Do you have any future projects planned?

Currently, we’re planning on producing a children’s theatre and storytelling festival in Tendring in 2023 but we’ll release more details about it sooner to the time.

To find out more about The Grand Theatre of Lemmings or the Winter Window Wonderland visit: www.lemmingstheatre.co.uk

‘Lost’ historic map found in family home

An original map by John Walker which was thought to have been lost is now in the Essex Record Office (ERO) after it was discovered in 2020 in a family home.

The survival, discovery and purchase of the twenty-seventh map by John Walker is of great importance to the ERO. The ‘lost’ map was privately purchased from the former owner thanks to the Friends of National Libraries which covered the full cost.

In the 1960s the County Archivist of Essex, K.C. Newton, and his deputy, A.C. Edwards, wrote The Walkers of Hanningfield: Surveyors and Mapmakers Extraordinary (Chelmsford, 1985) which explored the works of Essex’s famous father and son cartographers, John Walker.

Between 1584 to 1628, the Walkers produced 35 beautifully coloured and surveyed unique maps. The maps are prized in Newton and Edwards words as “outstanding Elizabethan and Jacobean estate maps by two gifted cartographers” and now more than half of the originals are preserved at the ERO in Chelmsford.

However, Newton and Edwards could not find any information about the whereabouts of a unique coloured map by John Walker junior as it hadn’t been seen since 1925 and all they could conclude was “original now lost”.

The map was made for the estate owner Stephen Beckingham and known to cover 266 acres in the two adjoining parishes of Tolleshunt D’Arcy and Tolleshunt Major and was characteristic in the Walkers colourful approach. Unfortunately, a black and white photocopy was all that was available to historians.

However, in November 2020 it was revealed that the original map had been hung on the wall behind glass in the home of the direct descendants of the Beckingham family and was now available for sale.

Having purchased the Walker map, it became apparent that during the 20th century part of an 1876 Ordnance Survey map - at six inches to the mile - was framed with it and had been marked with the field boundaries of the Walker map as they later appeared.

Both the Walker and the Ordnance Survey maps have been removed from the glass frames and are now retained in the original form as a single map which can be viewed on request at the ERO.

Richard Anderson, ERO Archive and Collections Lead, said: “This map of Tolleshunt D’Arcy and Tolleshunt Major is not just an elegant artefact but a source for domestic architecture, cartographic history and local studies.

“Given that it’s been hung on a wall for so long, the colouring of the map is remarkably well preserved. It’s unlikely that the opportunity to acquire a map by John Walker will ever emerge again and it is thanks to the Friends of National Libraries

that it can be kept publicly and permanently available at the ERO.”

The ERO is to mark its acquisition with an article for the Friends of Historic Essex and an image will be available at Essex Archives Online.

For more information about the ERO and forthcoming events please see the ‘Events Listings’ on page 40 or visit: www.explore-essex.com/ places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/ essex-record-office

Map of Beckingham estates in Tolleshunt D’Arcy and Tolleshunt Major in Essex by John Walker, 1616.

Images courtesy of ERO

Autumn Fruits with Wilkin & Sons

Many of the staff live in company-owned accommodation on the estate surrounding the factory and around 850 acres of Essex farmland produces grade one fruits and arable crops. Whilst Wilkin & Sons is best known for its Little Scarlet strawberries, fruit grown also includes plums, medlars, mulberries and quince.

Adoption of the most up-to-date farming techniques ensures that the farm is successful at growing exactly the right variety of high-quality fruit for the ‘jam factory’. The aim is to retain the flavour of the fresh fruit in the finished product.

Conserving autumn fruits

Fruit growing has been at the heart of Wilkin & Sons business for generations as the family were experienced farmers before making their first batch of strawberry conserve in 1885.

Today the farm continues the tradition of fruit growing, starting with the first crop of rhubarb in April, then traditional strawberries, followed by stone fruit through to the more unusual mulberries, quince and medlars.

By autumn the pickers are gathering damsons, quince and medlars; trees that are often found as single specimens in country gardens across Essex. Visitors to the Tiptree Jam Museum will find a poster giving a monthly update on the harvest and the wildlife on the farm showing which fruit is being picked that month.

The 80-year-old damson orchard’s trees may look misshapen or “natural”, but they still provide a good crop of purple skinned fruit that is made into a rich conserve. Visitors to the jam museum can see the evolution of the conserves jam jars.

Today, Wilkin & Sons not only makes ‘Tiptree’ preserves, but it also has a flourishing fresh fruit business and multiple tea rooms in Essex.

Quince is a less well-known fruit in the UK, it’s similar to a pear in shape and is astringent when raw but once cooked with sugar the white flesh changes to a glorious pink. Quince Jelly and Quince Conserve are often used in meat sauces or added to apple pies. Whole quince have an amazing aroma.

The medlar, looks like an underdeveloped apple with a very hard skin, it is the last fruit to be picked as it needs the frost to soften the flesh (bletted). The old trees in a small orchard are not far from the outside museum where old farm machinery is displayed.

Tiptree Jam Museum and Tea Room

Visitors to the Tiptree Jam Museum, which is free to enter, can take a step back in time, with insights into jam making at Tiptree through the ages. A video helps to explain how the fruit is grown and illustrates traditional preserve-making techniques that continue to this day.

The Tiptree Tea Room, Jam Factory Museum and gift shop at the visitor centre are all located within the grounds of the current jam factory. Open seven days a week (closing only for the Christmas break) they offer the perfect autumnal day out.

Discover more about the Tiptree Jam Museum by visiting: www. tiptree.com/tiptree-jam-museum. Alternatively, you can plan your trip to the Tiptree Tea Room here: www.tiptree.com/tiptreetearoom

A Medlar in the orchard

Did you know that food waste costs the average Essex family £720 a year?

Food waste makes up roughly 25% of all waste in Essex. This isn’t only bad news for your wallet, but it’s also damaging the environment. Kitche is a free app designed to save you money and reduce food waste at home. Keep track of your food, access delicious recipes and find top tips and storage hacks. Join the fight against food waste and download the app today! Scan to download

app!

it, don’t ditch it!

Recommended Reads

In this edition of Essex Explorer magazine, we’ve pulled together three books for every occasion. The mystery to curl up with as the nights draw in, the cookbook to ensure you cook up a storm this season and the perfect gift for friends and family.

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

A new mystery is afoot in the third book in the Thursday Murder Club series from record-breaking, bestselling author and much-loved TV presenter Richard Osman.

Real Life Recipes by Tom Kerridge

Recipes that work hard so you don’t have to. Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge is here to make your lunch, tea and weekends taste like you want them to, even if you don’t have much time or headspace. From quick tasty meals that you can rustle up on a weeknight to Sunday lunch, it’s all here.

Who Are you Calling Vermin?

By Pam Ayres

Hidden beyond the bluebell woods and babbling brooks, there is great unrest in our countryside. In this lyrical satire, Pam Ayres highlights the undercurrents simmering beyond the patchwork of fields. We meet the angry fishermen who can’t afford to live in their own villages, the indignant farmers who get the blame for everything and the old man grieving for the unspoilt village of his youth.

The perfect gift for family and friends.

Libraries Winter Reading Challenge

This winter, why not take part in Essex Library Service’s Winter Reading Challenge? The challenge follows our curious penguin family as they discover how different animals around the world celebrate the winter period.

The Challenge will be running from Saturday 26 November until Saturday 28 January and is the perfect activity for your children to take part in.

This year, we are doing things a little differently and there will be a range of challenges to choose from.

To discover more, keep an eye on @essexlibraries social media channels to learn more about the challenge and a different winter tradition each week.

Also look out for the Reading Challenge for adults which will be running at the same time.

Have you everconsidered fostering?

Adam and I have three children – two sons and one daughter and 10 grandchildren. We’re foster carers for Essex County Council. I have always wanted to foster; I grew up with a neighbour who fostered, and I admired her. I wanted more children as well, so we started fostering when our children were still young, our youngest was just two-years-old.

Fostering with our birth children was hugely rewarding. Our oldest son could be challenging at times, but when we started fostering his behaviour improved. For our daughter, she got to have sisters. It made us all more understanding and tolerant of people.

We foster children from a few days to several years, we have fostered many children and are still in touch with some of them. One child we fostered is now in her 40s and still calls to have a catch up or ask for advice. We love seeing how they are getting on and how they go on to live their lives makes us proud.

One young person we fostered we took on holiday to Cornwall and they started to cry when we arrived. We thought they were upset, but they just looked at us and said this was the best holiday they had ever been on, and we’d only just arrived.

Another young person who we fostered for seven months was shaking and crying almost nonstop when she first arrived on our doorstep, but after two days she was having cuddles with me.

We received a letter and video from one young person saying thank you for everything we did. We didn’t realise we’d had such an impact on this young person. They were with us for seven months and we clicked immediately, but receiving the letter and video was so emotional for us both.

You can have such a positive impact on a child if you give them a chance at life. Fostering can be challenging, and you will hear stories about the challenges, but you are giving a child safety and stability for perhaps the first time in their life.

Our aim is to give our foster children a safe place away from any trauma they have experienced. We have helped move our young people into independent living or back with their birth families. All our foster children need is for someone to be there for them and advocate for them. We’ve helped rebuild relationships with birth families and nurture our foster children to become independent and that is the greatest reward.

If you do encounter challenges the team at Essex County Council are there for you. We have completed a lot of training courses on subjects like being trauma informed, parent and child fostering and first aid. All the training is of a high-quality and the support is local.

Fostering has taught me so much about myself as well. You need to have a good sense of humour and patience, be non-judgemental, be understanding and be willing to learn

If you’re thinking about fostering just give it a chance. Every child deserves a chance, and you won’t know until you give it a try. There are so many ways in which you can foster, Essex County Council will help to find an option that best suits you and your family.

You could help children and young people write the next chapter of their book.

Find out more by calling 0800 801530 or visit www.essex. gov.uk/foster

Film festival for Essex

Supported by the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund, the Colchester Film Festival is taking place this November. Here we find out more from Aura Films.

Why did you start a film festival?

We started in 2012 because at the time the region didn’t have an international film festival and we wanted to bring the best films and the highest profile guest speakers to Colchester, to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and build a filmmaker community in Essex.

There are plenty of film festivals in London, but the high price of tickets – coupled with the travel time and costs –made these events inaccessible to a lot of people, so we decided to bring the films and speakers to Colchester.

Since the festival started, it has screened multiple films and cultivated an excellent track record of discovering filmmaking talent, some of which have gone on to win BAFTAs and Oscars.

Over the years, the festival has featured a variety of highprofile guest speakers, including James Kent ‘Testament of Youth’, editor Mick Audsley ‘The Avengers, Twelve Monkeys’ and editor John Wilson ‘Billy Elliot, Downton Abbey’.

What kind of films can people see at the festival?

All the films will be features that haven’t been screened or have only had small releases in the region. Our aim is to bring high-quality, low-profile films so audiences can discover them.

With the increase in cinema blockbusters and streaming, smaller niche cinema is getting more and more difficult for audiences to access. There are more hidden gems out there than ever before and Colchester Film Festival aims to find them.

Who will be appearing on the panel this year?

There will be four guest speaker events throughout Saturday 12 November, including a panel on ‘creating an

award-winning film’ featuring Academy Award winning writer and director of ‘The Silent Child’, Chris Overton.

The panel also includes BATFA award-winning writer and director, Caroline Bartleet, who is from Colchester. Caroline’s film ‘Operator’ - which won a BAFTA for best short film - was screened at Colchester Film Festival. Obviously, we’re delighted to be inviting her back and we’re sure she will be great inspiration to young filmmakers in the area.

Also, director Mike Leigh, who has been nominated for several Oscars, will be the headline speaker at the event. He will be speaking about his career and film making process as well as hosting a question and answers session.

Finally, Deborah Moggach will be attending. Deborah is the screenwriter of the 2005 ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Tulip Fever’ - based on her novel of the same name - and the writer of ‘These Foolish Things’, which was adapted for screen to become ‘The Best Marigold Hotel’.

How has the Arts and Cultural Fund helped?

It’s allowed us to attract bigger name guest speakers to the event and create an event on the same level as some of the festivals in London. It’s also allowed us to keep the tickets prices low to make the festival accessible to as many people as possible.

In future, we plan to run the film festival in 2023 and expand on what we hope to achieve in 2022.

There will be film screenings from 7:00pm Monday 7 November to Friday 11 November and guest speaker events from 11.00am on Saturday 12 November. Tickets for the festival will be available at www.firstsite.uk

Autumn

Dinosaurs: From Eggs to Extinction

Now until Saturday 29 October

Explore the prehistoric dinosaur world with terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex and supersized Sauropods. Discover how different dinosaurs lived, cared for their young and grew into adults. Be a palaeontologist yourself and uncover our hidden dinosaur skeletons. A great family exhibition with lots of fun activities and things to do.

Suitable for all ages. Price: TBC.

www.braintreemuseum.co.uk/ exhibitions

October half term drop-in crafts

Tuesday 26 October –Saturday 30 October: 10.30am – 12.00pm

Join Braintree Museum as the nights draw in for spooky crafts. On Tuesday, create dangling Halloween puppets, Wednesday, frightful trick or treat bags, Thursday, spooky party decorations, Friday, intergalactic

space pumpkins and Saturday, scream catchers. Suitable for all ages. Price: Free with admission.

www.braintreemuseum. co.uk/events

The Wonderful World of Ladybird Artists

Saturday 19 November –Saturday 1 July 2023

Uncover the story of the talented artists who illustrated Ladybird books for more than 30 years. This beautiful and colourful exhibition puts on display an unparalleled collection of books, original artwork and artefacts and shows how the numerous, talented Ladybird illustrators played such an enormous role in the extraordinary success of the company in the 20th century.

Suitable for all ages. Price: TBC.

www.braintreemuseum.co.uk/ exhibitions

Christmas crafts drop-in

Thursday 22 and Friday 23 December: 10.00am – 1.00pm

Come along and create a selection of Christmas themed crafts to take home. Suitable for all ages. Price: Free with admission.

www.braintreemuseum. co.uk/events

Colchester and Ipswich Museums

Colchester Castle Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft and Magic

Now until Friday 6 January 2023

Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle explores the history of changing attitudes towards witchcraft in England from the 1500s into the 1800s. Suitable for all ages. Price: included as part of Colchester Castle admission.

www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/ events/wickedspirits

Braintree Museum

Image credit: Mercury theatre

Colchester Visitor Information Centre, Hollytree’s Museum

Camulodunum to Colchester guided tours

Saturday 3, 17 and 24

September. Saturday 1, 9, 15, 22 and 29 October and Saturday 5, 12, 19 and 26 November: 11.00am – 1.00pm

Colchester was Britain’s first city, and now acknowledged as its oldest recorded town, with a story stretching back over 2000 years. Join one of our official town guides on a guided walk and explore the dramatic events that have shaped the town, from the destruction of Roman Camulodunum to the Civil War Siege of 1648 and beyond. Suitable for all ages, families and groups welcome. Price £6.00 per adult, children five to 15-years-old, £3.50.

www.visitcolchester.com/whats-on/ guided-tour-from-camulodunum-tocolchester-p1231381

Colchester Visitor Information Centre, Hollytree’s Museum

Guided Tour for Families, Rowdy Romans, Naughty Normans and Victorious Victorians

Friday 28 October: 2.00pm to 4.00pm

www.visitcolchester.com/whats-on/ guided-tour-for-families-rowdyromans-naughty-normansvictorious-victorians-p1192951

Colchester Zoo

The Trail of Terror

Friday 14, various dates until Saturday 29 October from 6.30pm

What is lurking on the Trail of Terror? Due to the nature of this event, we do not recommend this for anyone under the age of 12-yearsold, however, this is at guardians discretion, under the age of fiveyears-old will not be admitted, under

16-years-old must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 16-yearsold at all times. £20 per person.

www.colchester-zoo.com/event/thetrail-of-terror-29

Shriek Week

Saturday 22 - Sunday 30

October 2022

This October half term, enjoy a week filled with spooktacular daytime activities suitable for children of all ages. Our range of fang-tastic activities will keep the family entertained all day long and you can even take home your own handpicked pumpkin at our Pumpkin Patch. Standard admission ticket required for entry.

www.colchester-zoo.com/ event/shriek-week

Magic of Christmas

Saturday 26 and Sunday

27 November, Saturday 3, Sunday 4, Saturday 10, Sunday 11, Saturday 17 –Saturday 24 December

Immerse yourself in the wonderful Christmas atmosphere with our festive activities. See Santa’s beautiful reindeer in their stables ahead of the big day, create festive crafts at the Elves Workshop or listen to the elves as they tell stories of Santa’s new sloth friend at the Christmas Tales. Standard admission ticket required for entry, additional £12.50 per child for Santa Experience.

www.colchester-zoo.com/event/ magic-of-christmas-17-24

Enchanted Trail of Light

Saturday 3, Wednesday 7, Saturday 10, Wednesday 14, Saturday 17, Wednesday 21 and Friday 23 December

Colchester Zoo will close at 4.30pm to visitors as usual, before opening at 5.30pm on selected evenings, leaving the zoo behind as the trail

of light comes to life. With a host of illuminations along a designated route, dancing fountains and fairies spreading their magic, we have no doubt that you’ll leave feeling enchanted. Suitable for all ages. Price: £10 per person.

www.colchester-zoo.com/event/ enchanted-trail-of-light-23rd

English Heritage, Audley End Enchanted Audley

Friday 2 - Sunday 4, Thursday 8 -

Sunday 11, Thursday 15 -

Sunday 18, Tuesday 20Friday 23, Tuesday 27Friday 30 December

Timeslots available every half hour from 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Gather your friends and family to banish the dark winter nights and experience the past in a spectacular new light this December. Explore Audley End’s grounds and gardens to discover a magical world of illumination, sound and colour. Suitable for all ages. Price. See website for details. Book now.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ whats-on/audley-end-enchanted

Essex Record Office

ERO Presents: The Archaeology of the Essex medieval landscape

Tuesday 8 November: 10.30am – 12.00pm

Join speaker Maria Medlycott at this talk which will discuss what the archaeological record can tell us about the Essex medieval landscape, looking at farms, fields, lanes and greens, woodlands and marshes and how individually and collectively they help build up a picture of a busy, occupied countryside. Suitable for all ages. Price: £5.75.

www.essexrecordoffice.co.uk/events

Firstsite

Colchester Film Festival

Monday 7 November to Saturday 12 November. Film screenings 7.00pm. Guest speaker events all day from 11.00am onwards on Saturday 12 November.

Price: TBC.

Tickets available via the Firstsite website: www.firstsite.uk

For more information visit: www.colchesterfilmfestival.co.uk

Focal Point Gallery

Digifest: Various events throughout October half term

Digifest is a cross generational programme, where individuals can create collaborative artworks and people of all ages can have fun developing their digital knowledge, confidence and life skills together.

Suitable for all ages. Price: Mostly free. www.fpg.org.uk/learning/digifest

The Gibberd Garden

Autumn Colour Day

Sunday 30 October

Suitable for all the family. Price: Adults £5, five to 16-years-old £1. Refreshments available. www.thegibberdgarden. co.uk/all-event

Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens Kids Take Over The Museum

Saturday 12 November

Contribute to our museum of the future model. Show us what you would want to see in the museums collection in 25 years time. Suitable for ages five - 18-years-old. Price: Free. www.harlowmuseum.com

Winter Warm-Up

Saturday 19 November: 12.00pm – 4.00pm

Come to Harlow Museum for festive fun at our Winter WarmUp. There will be craft activities, stalls selling locally homemade gifts, refreshments and live music. Suitable for all ages. Price: Free.

www.harlowmuseum.com

Harlow Art Trust

Samuel Padfield: Drive Time

Now - Sunday 23 October

The Harvey Centre. Also, Gibberd Gallery, The Water Gardens, Civic Centre, College Square, Harlow.

In Harlow’s Harvey Centre, two cars seem to have taken a wrong turn. This surprising installation by Samuel Padfield confronts visitors with big questions about where we are and where we’re going. Listen out for the Drive Time radio show. Suitable for all ages. www.sculpturetown.uk

Harlow Council Bonfire and Fireworks Night

Sunday 6 November: 6.00pm

(Fire lighting 6.45pm and fireworks 7.00pm).

Music via PA, caterers on site, fire lighting and fireworks show – closing at 7.25pm. Suitable for all ages. Price: Free.

www.harlow.gov.uk/community/ council-events-and-award-nights/ bonfire-and-fireworks-night

Harlow Playhouse

Cinderella

December 2022 –January 2023

Join us at Harlow Playhouse this Christmas for the greatest pantomime of them all, ‘Cinderella’. View the biggest and most magical pantomime to date, featuring a cast of seasoned professionals, lavish sets and costumes and a live band.

Suitable for all ages. Price: Ticket prices vary, see website.

www.playhouseharlow.ticketsolve. com/ticketbooth/shows/873617058/ events/128298187

Jaywick Martello Tower

Coastal Open

Now until Sunday 30 October

The annual Jaywick Martello Tower Coastal Open is back for 2022. Join us for this special open exhibition celebrating the talents of local

craft makers, from

pottery

poetry

Layer Marney Tower

at Layer Marney Tower

Wednesday 7 December -

9 December

What better way to celebrate Christmas than a guided tour around a decorated Tudor palace, a traditional Christmas lunch and a performance of The Night Before Christmas. Finish the afternoon with carol singing, mulled wine and mince pies. Suitable for adults. Price: £69 for groups of 15 people or more, £72 for individuals.

Christmas Matinee - The Night

Before Christmas

Saturday 10 December:

See the barn all dressed for Christmas. Make Father Christmas and his reindeer in the arts and crafts workshop. Sing carols and Christmas songs and finish with juice and Christmassy biscuits. Suitable for all the family. Price: Tickets cost £10 adults, £5 children, £28 family.

www.layermarneytower.co.uk/ events/christmas-matinee-twasthe-night-before-christmas

Mercury Theatre

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 October

Peppa Pig is excited to be going on a special day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – it’s going to be her best day ever. Prepare for the brand-new live show packed full of songs, games and laughter, it will be the best day ever for Peppa Pig fans. Suitable for all the family and three-years-old plus. Price: £17.50.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/ peppa-pigs-best-day-ever

Crimes on Centre Court

Friday 28 October

Murder and mayhem with a side of tennis, from the critically acclaimed comedy company New Old Friends. Crimes on Centre Court is based on a story from the award-winning podcast and serves up a summertime treat sweeter than strawberries and cream. Suitable for 12-years-old plus. Price: From £16.50.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/ crimes-on-centre-court

Richard Jones

Saturday 5 November

Richard Jones rose to fame as the only magician ever to win Britain’s Got Talent. Known as The Military Illusionist he represents the very best in cutting edge magic, mind-reading and psychological illusion; this show will be a unique experience you’ll never forget.

Suitable for all the family. Price: From £20.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/ an-evening-with-richard-jones

Beauty and the Beast

Saturday 26 November 2022 Sunday 15 January 2023, times vary

Join us this Christmas for our magical Mercury panto, Beauty and the Beast. It’s a tale as old as time and a panto that will be unmissable for the whole family. Suitable for all the family and children five-yearsold plus. Price: From £15.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/ beauty-and-the-beast

Mercury Theatre Studio

Pinocchio: Wednesday 7 December –Saturday 31 December, times vary.

Filled with music, dancing and plenty of chances to join in, this retelling of the classic tale is packed with fun and surprises. Suitable for all the family and children aged three to eight-years-old. Price: From £12. www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/ event/pinocchio

Naze Tower Autumn Exhibition

Now until Monday 31 October

The Autumn Exhibition features over 20 East Anglian artists. Artist Allan Drummond will create a drawing worksheet with drawing tips and ideas to inspire people to engage with the ‘View from the Tower’ and create their own drawings to display. Also, the visiting public are encouraged to write their stories and memories on postcards and add them to the card rack.

Suitable for all ages. Price: Small charge applies to visit Naze Tower. www.nazetower.co.uk/exhibition/ autumn-exhibition-2022

Nuclear Wild Forest

Top hats and taches adventure race

Wednesday 8 November

Grab your top hat or tash for a self-navigational five-kilometre tail run raising money for Movember. We invite runners of all abilities to join us for our hugely popular trail run. You will be given a navigational route with check points around the course. Will you be able to make it to the finish line? Hot toddy or hot chocolate for everyone at the finish line. Price: £7.50 (plus processing fees).

www.wild-forest.co.uk/movember

Nuclear Fallout

Saturday 5 November

It’s our last event of the season on our permanent site in Brentwood. Don’t moan about the cold, wet, wind or mud – cuts, bruises, scrapes and sores are all abundant, but all part of the survivor experience. Distance seven or 14 Kilometres. Suitable for: minimum age seven kilometres: 13-years-old (accompanied by an adult) or minimum age for 14 kilometres, 17-years-old. Prices: Seven kilometres £69, 14 kilometres £79 (plus third party processing fees 6%).

www.nuclear-races.co.uk/event/ fallout-2022

Wivenhoe House   Christmas Shopping Experience

Sunday 6 November

Browse a chic selection of 45 local companies offering Christmas gifts inside and outside, including jewellery, clothing, candles, gin, floral Christmas wreaths, sweet treats, and so much more. Food, beverages and a bar will also be available throughout the day in our grounds. Suitable for Adults. Price £3.

www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk/event/ christmas-shopping-experience

Wednesday 21 December

Come along and enjoy a magical day of Christmas princess fun. Wivenhoe House in association with Glass Slipper Entertainment invites you to a day of magical, fairy tale, festive fun. Come and see some of your favourite princesses including The Snowflake Queen, The Storybook Princess, The Arendelle Queen and The Miracle Maker. Suitable for all. Price £30.00 (Please note due to limited seating space for this event, only one adult and one child are permitted per ticket).

www.wivenhoehouse.co.uk/event/ winter-wonderland-princess-ball

Saffron Walden Hall Round Table

Firework display: Saturday 5 November

A spectacular choreographed firework display with a feast of fabulous food stalls and family entertainment too. Suitable for all ages. Price: Donations welcome on the day (£3 per head suggested). All profits are put back into the community through the Saffron Walden Round Table Charity. www. visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/event/ saffron-walden-round-tablefirework-display

Saffron Walden Town Council

Lantern parade: Friday 18 November: Time 5.30pm. Light switch on 18.00pm

Join Lantern Parade from St. Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden, from 17.30pm. Light switch on 18.00pm in Saffron Walden Market Place. Santa’s Grotto and food stalls available. Open to all and suitable for all ages. Price: Free.

www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/ event/lantern-parade

Sunday 20 November

Christmas Fayre in the Square and Grotto from 10.00am – 4.00pm in Saffron Walden Market Place and King Street. A variety of seasonal stalls, buskers and more. Suitable for all ages. www.visitsaffronwalden. gov.uk/event/christmas-marketand-santas-grotto

Talliston House and Gardens

Faerie Tale Christmas: Monday 5 December - Sunday 15 January 2023

Enter an enchanted world of light, music, colour and sound as you tour each of the thirteen magical rooms of Talliston including taking tea at a fully decorated candlelit table in the Victorian Watchtower. An unforgettable experience for young and old. Suitable for 11-years-old to adult. Price £20.00 - £34.99.

www.talliston.com

The Tourist Trail

The Tourist Trail has been created to help you with all aspects of planning, from finding inspiration of what to do, planning routes, discovering somewhere nice for lunch and finding the perfect place to stay.

www.thetouristtrail.org/locations/ england/essex

The Christmas Carol Experience

Colchester City Centre: November 2022 – January 2023

A Magical Musical retelling of Charles Dickens ‘A Christmas Carol’. The Christmas Carol festive trail will be an interactive installation of live and digital performance and art taking place in Colchester centre for 52 days (six weeks), drawing visitors to the centre and entertaining shoppers, workers and residents. Suitable for all the family.

Price: FREE.

www.thechristmascarol experience.co.uk

Grand Theatre of Lemmings: Winter Window Wonderland

Thursday 1 December to Saturday 24 December and Saturday 17 December is a winter light festival from 6.00pm. Price: FREE. Suitable for all ages.

www.lemmingstheatre.co.uk

Halloween at Upside Down House Lakeside:

Monday 17 – Monday 31 October

Do not miss the chance to spend a great spooky topsy turvy time this half term at Upside Down House UK. As usual we will be running a competition with amazing prizes. Suitable for all ages. Price: £4 per person on weekdays, £5 per person on weekends, FREE for children under the age of three-years-old.

www.upsidedownhouse.co.uk

Listings provided by Visit Essex Members

Find out more about Visit Essex and sign-up to become a member: www.visitessex.com/industry-andpress/become-a-member

Winter Wonderland Princess Ball

Christmas Fayre in the Square and Grotto