OUR VIRTUAL FUN WALK - GREAT NEWS - WATCH THIS SPACE

 Nearly 80 organisations have now registered to take part in next month’s Virtual Fun Walk with participants able to walk the distance anytime during the month to raise money for their favourite charity or local good cause.

Many of the organisation are regular participants including Quilters Junior School, Changing Pathways, Brighter Opportunities for Special People (BOSP) and Special Needs and Parents (SNAP).

In 2019 Quilters Junior School, in Billericay, with support from waste firm Simply, raised over £7,000 through the Fun Walk. When asked about this year’s event, Head Teacher Michael Wade, said:

“This September, we have invited the whole school community to take place in this year’s Fun Walk virtually. We are hopeful that 100s of people will take part, far more than in past years!”Changing pathways raised £7,500 last year and used the funds to support victims of domestic violence. Talking about this year’s event,

 

Natasha Jean-Louis, Team Manager at Changing Pathways, said“It has been an extremely difficult time during Covid but we have been providing a full service and adding extra support due to the demand. Participating in The Fun Walk will enable us continue with the much-needed Children and Young People’s services within our crisis refuge.”BOSP Community Fundraiser Helen Diddams, said“We cannot overestimate how important this yearly event is to our small Charity, not just in terms of the funds it raises but as an inclusive activity that gets everyone moving”It will be SNAP’s 6th year as a recipient charity of The Fun Walk. Christina Stubbs, Director – Finance and Fundraising saidhanks to the generosity of The Fun Walk Trust we have raised a fantastic £23,314 over those years. These funds have helped us to be there for the ever increasing number of families seeking our assistance. “

John Baron MP, Chair of The Fun Walk Trust Trustees, said:

“We are delighted so many organisations return to the event each year and we are especially grateful for this year’s sponsors who are Swan Housing Association, Tunnelcraft, IFE Global Logistics, Anisha Grange Care Home, Butyl Products Group, Leonardo MW, McDonald’s Restaurants Basildon and others.”

The event will be open through the whole month of September so it’s not too late to register at www.thefunwalktrust.co.uk

TENTH ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL

IT'S COMING! The 10th Book Festival looks as if it will be the best ever. Meet Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, Frances Clamp, Roy Hattersley, Kate Atkinson, Helen Dunmore, Jonathan Gash, Barbara Erskine, Jojo Moyes, Martin Newell, Alison Weir, Xinran, Andrew Summers, Adele Parks, John Sutherland and many, many more great writers, poets, journalists and a sprinkling of literary critics. The Festival is managed by Essex County Council Libraries in partnership with Essex District and Borough Councils - also Thurrock Unitary Council.

Patrons this year will be Germaine Greer, Francis Wheen, Barbara Erskine and yours truly.

Box Office opens on Monday 5 January 2009 Tel: 01206 573948 or book online at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

BBC Essex Radio with broadcasting team Ray Clark and Angela Lodge will be at Chelmsford Library on Thursday 5 March 2009 from 10.00 till 12 noon and there's a chance to meet some of the Essex authors and Reading and Writing Group members. There are activities, quizzes and prizes to be won - and a chance to take part in the instant story created on the day specially for the Festival, so do come and meet us all.

Programmes are now available in Essex Libraries. Any queries? email answers.direct@essex.gov.uk

WELCOME TO THE TENTH ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL

The 10th Essex Book Festival! The biggest and best ever! Few pics of earlier festivals which include Martin Newell, Gilda O'Neill, some of the BBC Essex folk and a few other friends.

2009 Book Festival programme

The festival patrons are Francis Wheen and Germaine Greer and, for the first time this year, writer and journalist Sylvia Kent and novelist Barbara Erskine.

The full Festival programme will be available in libraries from the end of December. The Box Office opens 5th January 2009. You can book by post using the booking form in the programme, by telephone 01206 573948 or go to: www.essexbookfestival.org.uk
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The Essex Book Festival is the biggest reading festival in the Eastern region. Each year best-selling authors and up-and-coming writers appear at the festival.

In 2009 The Essex Book Festival will celebrate its 10th birthday. With a formidable line-up of writers, poets, journalists and broadcasters we are sure you will get inspiration and awaken your own creative mind.

With over 60 events throughout March and across Essex, there's really something for everyone. You will be able to meet some of the biggest names in writing today, plus the pick of home-grown Essex writers. It's a unique opportunity for readers and writers to meet through readings, discussions and performances.
Some of the top names include:
Broadcaster and writer Melvyn Bragg. Discover unique insights into the life of this prolific author and broadcaster. Melvyn Bragg will talk about writers who draw on their own lives for inspiration, including his own powerful autobiographical novels.

2 March 7.45pm
Civic Theatre
Fairfield Road
Chelmsford CM1 1JG
Tickets £12/£10
Box Office 01245 606500

Joan Bakewell
Meet iconic writer and broadcaster Joan Bakewell, one of Britain's most influential journalists. Joan's first novel, All the Nice Girls, is a sweeping story of love and loss, in which wartime events of 1942 reverberate to the next generation.

6 March 7.30pm
Grignon Hall
Felsted School
Felsted CM6 3LL
Tickets £10/£8

Roy Hattersley
One of the key figures in twentieth century politics and now a successful author and journalist Roy Hattersley shares with us his insightful view of Britain between the wars, from his latest book, Borrowed Time.

10 March 7.30pm
Anglia Ruskin
University
Bishop Hall Lane
Chelmsford
CM1 1SQ
Tickets £10/£8


Alison Weir's book The Lady Elizabeth
Alison Weir Is a popular historian, bringing the past to life in biographies and novels. The Lady Elizabeth is a story of suspense, tragedy and intrigue in the period before Elizabeth became Queen.

18 March 3pm
Wickford Library
Market Road
Wickford
SS12 OAG
Tickets £4/£3


Free event
Martin Newell

Broadcaster, songwriter and rock musician Martin Newell presents poetry for people who don't like it and for those who do. Prepare for a lively, humorous evening of Martin's unique take on life.

25 March 7.30pm
Maldon Library
Carmelite House
White Horse Lane
Maldon CM9 5FW
Tickets £6.50/£4.50

Other well-known names appearing are:

* Journalist and writer Justine Picardie
* Crime writers Simon Brett and Essex-based Jonathan Gash
* Acclaimed poet and psychological thriller writer Sophie Hannah
* Louis de Bernieres performing music and words in the Antonius Players
* Essex novelists Barbara Erskine and Jojo Moyes

There will be crime, history, life-style and creative writing events, storytelling events for the whole family, comics workshops and events to celebrate the Jiangsu Festival. And, as ever, Essex writers will be well represented.

If you would like to download the programme please click on the image on the right.
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