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Get involved with Chadwell's public art project this weekend!
Artist Lucy McDonald is running a co-design workshop at Emmanuel Church this Saturday 16 May. It's a chance for everyone to share ideas for a new artwork for the church grounds and help shape this summer's Chadwell Art Trail!
No need to bring anything - all materials provided. Simply grab pencils, pens, paper, pictures and prit-stick and tell us what you'd like to see!
Free for anyone to drop in - all ages - from 11.00am to 1.00pm. Free drinks and snacks too. Come along!
Full info on the What's On page on our website.
Is there anyone who has not been getting creative in Chadwell St. Mary?? :)
Artist Lucy McDonald has been visiting people and places all over Chadwell, from Arthur Barnes Court to Chadwell Boxing Gym, Palmer's College and Chadwell Library to run workshops. She's also been scoping out Defoe Parade and Emmanuel Church for outdoor site-specific artworks. Here are a few pics from recent sessions...
All the activities are about pooling inspiration and ideas for the Chadwell Art Trail project - watch this space for more developments and ways to get involved!
Were you there last Saturday for Out of the Box at South Ockendon's Derwent Parade Market Place?
Darryl J Carrington's zany street circus antics were a hit with residents, who were mesmerised and delighted by Darryl's tricks before having a go themselves at the drop-in workshop afterwards. Lots of smiles all round :)
Everyone who was there - old and young (including our volunteers!) - had a heap of fun getting involved. The audience really became the stars of the show, working with Darryl to entertain and amuse!
Here's a quick selection of the highlights from the day! Big thanks to everyone who joined in!
(video: Julia Stallard. photos: Mark Massey)
Would you like to be a Dance for Neurology faciliator?
Our friends at Coda Dance are organising a free afternoon workshop for people interested in learning about Dance For Neurology. You will also have the chance to train to become a freelance facilitator in hospital and community settings.
Participants will get to meet the lead artists, spend time with the Artistic Director and leave with transferable skills to take into your own practice.
After the workshop, they'll invite 2 or 3 candidates to assist at a paid session, following which one person will be selected to undertake further paid training before joining their team.
The workshop will be from 12.30pm until 5pm on 15th June at the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, West Hill, London, SW15 3SW. Full details here: /would-you-like-to-be-a-dance-for-neurology-facilitator/
T100 Festival, presented by Kinetika, returns this May 23rd to June 7th with Seeing Thurrock Differently: A Journey Home – a free programme of walks, talks and creative events across the borough.
From heritage walks to dusk-time citizen science and a joyful finale by Kinetika’s home in Purfleet-on-Thames, you can discover hidden stories, explore local landscapes and meet the people shaping Thurrock’s future.
️All events are free – explore the programme and book your place:
t100festival.co.uk/2026festival/
@kinetikapeople@T100festival
#SeeingThurrockDifferently
#T100Festival
The one place where you don't have to worry about getting tied up in knots!
East Tilbury residents helping to shape creative activities in their local area recently enjoyed a fun Macrame workshop with Emma Clements of Bloom & Bear Creative at the Village Hall.
While some took to it like ducks to water, others took a little longer to master the sequence of knots... But under Emma's expert eye, they all agreed that once you got into a rhythm, it was very relaxing and mindful.
Everyone was delighted with their finished pieces, which can be used as a keyring or wrist strap for your phone!
If you live in East Tilbury and would like your voice heard about future creative activities, contact us on [email protected] to find out how you can be involved.
Don't forget: look out for the family street circus event at Derwent Parade next Saturday!
'Out of the Box' is a multi-award-winning family show that's delighting audiences across the UK - and this Saturday 9th May it's coming to South Ockendon's marketplace!
Five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe and named Best Family Show at Brighton Fringe – this is guaranteed to be a fun-packed session of joyful chaos, jaw-dropping skill and irresistible fun!
Show times: 11am and 12.30pm (30 minutes each)
Workshop: 1pm (60 minutes - drop-in event)
No booking required – just turn up and join in the fun! Full details on our website what's on page.
See you there!
Have you seen the Hidden Gem in Aveley?
The Hidden Gem Project has been supported through our Creative Community Support programme to create a new community mural in Aveley Recreation Park. And last Sunday, as part of the St George’s Day celebration and family event hosted by the Aveley Village Community Foundation, with the deputy mayor in attendance, the mural was launched to the public!
Created in collaboration with local children, volunteers, community partners and K&B Designs, the mural brings 150,000 years of local history to life – from prehistoric mammoths to present-day woodland restoration – weaving together the River Mardyke and key local landmarks with Aveley’s rich heritage and the evolving landscape.
Together, the mural and surrounding woodland restoration are a prime example of community-led creativity, environmental renewal and local pride. And we think it looks great!
The organisers have created a Facebook group for the project, which will provide ongoing updates and information: /groups/1202208647064541/
Be sure to check it out next time you're there!
Who's going to the Port Of Tilbury Open Day on Saturday, 9th May?
Looks like there'll be lots to do for all the family while you get to explore behind the scenes at one of the UK's busiest ports. From bus tours to hard hat tours, singing & dancing performances, tours of the ecology site, a makers' market and food & drink stalls, this promises to be an amazing day out!
We'll be there with some creative activities and opportunities for residents to vote on which act they'd like to see this year at Tilbury's Picnic in the Park.
So, come on down – we'll be happy to see you!
Announcing the Chadwell St Mary Public Art Project!
As you may have seen, there's been an artist out and about in Chadwell... That artist is Lucy McDonald and she's engaging with groups across the community to gather ideas and spread inspiration for a new art trail!
She's exploring what kind of artworks people enjoy and talking to residents all over Chadwell and running workshops at Arthur Barnes Court, Chadwell Amateur Boxing Gym, USP College Palmer's campus and Emmanuel Church, with the aim of creating a series of permanent location-based art pieces across the village.
The public art could be anything from a mural to a sculpture, a window painting or even a flower bed installation! And all ideas gathered will feed into a central artwork to connect all the other pieces.
At the same time, Lucy will also be running a 'Window Wanderland' project so more groups across Chadwell can get involved – there'll be more on this soon, when packs are ready to go out!
All this will culminate in a special art trail map and walks in the summer to tour all the locations and see community-focused art in action.
We're really looking forward to seeing this all come together! Watch this space for more news...
