EACH WEEK WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS THE SPOTLIGHT ON ONE OF SOUTHEND'S CREATIVE TALENTS
JENNIE SHARMAN-COX
I work from my home studio in Westcliff-on-sea
Working predominately in three dimensions using a variety of media, I draw on historical references, figurative art and sacred imagery, to create fictional worlds for the viewer to enter and inhabit.
I’m Delighted to be showing in the Beecroft Art Gallery…..For the Double Take exhibition alongside Simon Monk.
Both artists are presenting a body of new and recent work as well as selections from their studio archives.
The historical seaside element of Southend appeals to me, the original architecture, the pier… with fond memories of Peter Pan’s Playground and Never Neverland.
PREVIOUS SPOTLIGHTS.....
AMY LEE POTTERY
KELLY BUCKLEY
I’m a professional electronic music composer, sound designer, sound artist, digital artist and journalist. I create music and sound design for media, write for newspapers and mags and also create sound-art projects with visuals. Sometimes the visual work I create – which is usually symbiotic with the music/sound work
I make – ends up as eco prints on a variety of organic products such as clothing, art prints or sustainable jigsaw puzzles which I sell in my online shop. My work tends to be environmentally inspired and I particularly enjoy plugging in to nature’s frequencies to conduct music.
DOOLY MOON
Making jewelry for me is a creative outlet that is not only fun but also very therapeutic. I was diagnosed with ME 13 years ago, so having a space to work at my own pace and sell something I’m proud of is very empowering.
MADDI CREASE
I am a poet and visual artist studying my BA in fine art at University Centre South Essex. I host The Listening Room, a creative open mic in Leigh-on-Sea, which runs on the second Wednesday of every month. As a poet, I write primarily on mental health. As an artist I am still exploring and finding my ‘thing’ – or things – but really enjoy drypoint etching and life drawing.
AMBER MIMI
RAT is an art gallery on Leigh road that showcases and sells all kinds of local art, RAT also is available to rent for exhibitions and pop ups!
TriggerBliss
Based in Southend, TriggerBliss (@triggeryourbliss) uses spoken word as an avenue to connect to the individual, to inspire healing, conscious thought, and conversation. This is achieved by incorporating spoken word into visuals, imagery, quotes, music, as well as performing live. TriggerBliss harnesses her creativity to spread mental health awareness, love, unity and encourage the authentic self.
Designed for the community to:
Platform Theatre
As a provider of quality and affordable youth theatre provision, we focus on developing both drama and associated life skills in a friendly and inclusive environment for young people, and those with additional needs, aged between 7 and 25 years.
Platform Theatre Arts is not just about youth theatre provision. We also offer a theatre company in training program, Platform Company, for performers over the age of 18, focusing on developing and deepening skills in a range of theatrical styles and mediums with regular public performances in both traditional and non-traditional theatrical spaces.
Indeed, we want our youth theatre programs to be as much about performance as development and want our young people to feel part of one big company of young performers, with opportunities to showcase both their individual group work and to work as part of a whole youth theatre team. We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate with other community and creative arts groups and professionals to connect the work we produce with the wider community.
We offer the opportunity for our youth theatre assistants to gain training and experience to become facilitators in their own right and so as we grow, our team grows with us.
Our youth theatres run over Tuesdays and Wednesdays and take place at Kings Road URC, Crowstone Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8LH.
If you would like any more information on what we offer or opportunities to work with us, please do get in contact by emailing [email protected]. Equally, you can sign up to one of our classes by filling out an application form HERE.
LAST OF THE LIZARDMEN
MANDALA STONE CERAMICS
I have lived around Southend nearly all my life and my favourite thing is… the beach, has to be. I swim all year and love it!
BEAR AND THE RAINBOW
DAVID KIRKMAN
YES TODAY
PIECES OF THE PEACH
FREYA NEIGHBOUR
Bold, unique accessories made from reclaimed materials with 100% recycled packaging
SS9ART
“My favourite place in Southend are the gardens by the Cliff’s Pavillion. I love roller skating down there but also how peaceful they are in the mornings! They’re so beautiful and have a lovely view of the seaside too.”
FLOWERS ARE PRETTY
A collaboration of artists exploring the above title, part of the proceeds of bids will support the work of trust links charity.
EDIGUMI
Sylak Ravenspine
The Essex Ink Company
Although I live in Basildon, my artistic practice centres around Southend.
“Apart from mudlarking when the tide is out, I appreciate wondering the backstreets, just off the beaten track. I particularly love Alexandra street, former site of the Empire Theatre and now a bohemian quarter.”
DAISY M
DANEKA ACKHAVONG
Daneka is a singer/songwriter from Southend on sea, exploring heartbreak and mental issues combined with heavy Rock guitar and soulful, emotional vocals. She doesn’t like labelling herself as one genre, due to stereotypes of Black skinned artist.
She likes to experiment with Grunge guitar chord progressions, combining Grunge with Blues. This is shown through her soulful but heart wrenching vocals, displaying rawness and vulnerability when she sings. You may think Daneka, is a one-man band, however, Daneka, has lots of layers to her creativity and loves to work with other new, aspiring musicians and people.
She has formed a band, consisting of Lead guitar, played by Richard Daintree and Drums played by Herbie Buckley-Robinson. These band members have helped shaped DANEKA, by adding their own creativity and flow to the song’s she has written.
LEMON GROVE LETTERING
THE LION IN WINTER
The play is set around the Christmas of 1183, and it’s a tale about political and personal turmoil among the royal family of Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, their children, and their guests, they are a dysfunctional family.
There is treachery and intrigue around who will inherit the throne, played with humour and drama, the spotlight is shone on the foibles of an ancient family with very modern problems.
PATRICK MORIARTY
FRECKLED ACORN DESIGN
“My favourite place in Southend is the pier. I love the little train!”
SS9ART
I’m Jakub and I started painting at a very early age. I remember being inspired by my Dad, whose playful attitude helped me to feel that drawing is both fun and adventure. I particularly loved the feeling of putting pencil to paper, I was happy to draw anything: landscapes, details, my dogs. Sketching always felt calming: I was not interested in communicating some hidden message or view, I simply loved the process.
Sometime later, in my teenage years, I focussed on pursuing a normal career. I spent a few years studying and working the standard 9-5 (more like 7-6). Alongside my full-time job some 20 years ago I took up photography, a form of art that has taken me on many private and professional adventures, and I learned many things during this time, but my creative side still felt a bit overlooked.
One day, I needed something to take me away from the busy schedule. I spontaneously reached up for a pad and made, what now feels like, a to jump back into the art world after a lengthy break. I can see now that the need to take up sketching had been brewing in me for the best part of the last decade: one of the reasons that convinced me that Leigh-on-Sea is the place to live was its understated architectural beauty and breath-taking landscape of the estuary. Most of my sketches take an inspiration from the architecture and scenery I see on my rounds through the town, and feature a few Leigh-on-Sea landmarks. Some drawings take me back to the town I grew up in and places I travelled to.
I would be delighted if some of my drawings would invite the members of my community to look with fresh eyes at a building they had been walking past and taking for granted for many years. I feel passionate about making hidden gems of Leigh architecture visible again. I also enjoy the challenge of a commission, the pleasure of engaging with and capturing the emotion of love, joy or nostalgia for my customers’ special places, past or future.
“My favourite thing about Southend is…Being an outsider allows me to see Southend from a slightly different perspective. I can see place with huge potential of creative energy. There are so many different initiative which make you feel that art is not something reserved for fancy galleries, but it’s something what makes you feel better and allow you to be a better person. C’mon Southend you can do it!!!
LUCY GOULD
TIM KEECH – TEA AND ORANGES
We organise, book and promote a live music night in Southend-on-Sea. A night that strives to put on something very interesting and different in the town to what is currently on offer. We love elctro, DIY, Lo Fi, House Music, guitar bands, Indie, 60’s, Jazz, folk, world, ambient – you name it and we will have something we like about it and will have DJ’s playing a diverse range of sounds every night.
Upcoming we have Oliver Cherer, Plantman, Sonic Eyes, Alfie Firmin, Gwenifer Raymond, Wet Man, Warm Boys as well as some more very exciting acts that are very nearly in the diary.
I invite all the Creative Spotlight readers to come on down to one of our nights one Saturday and have a taste of Tea and Oranges – you won’t regret it..
“I really like the cycle path all along the seafront from the Garrison East Beach to Chalkwell Station. On a beautiful Summer’s day a cycle all the way up and down with some music on, following the Estuary is just bliss. All parts of our seafront have a different character and different kinds of people too. Its all very interesting.”
UMAYMAH
Platform Theatre
As a provider of quality and affordable youth theatre provision, we focus on developing both drama and associated life skills in a friendly and inclusive environment for young people, and those with additional needs, aged between 7 and 25 years.
Platform Theatre Arts is not just about youth theatre provision. We also offer a theatre company in training program, Platform Company, for performers over the age of 18, focusing on developing and deepening skills in a range of theatrical styles and mediums with regular public performances in both traditional and non-traditional theatrical spaces.
Indeed, we want our youth theatre programs to be as much about performance as development and want our young people to feel part of one big company of young performers, with opportunities to showcase both their individual group work and to work as part of a whole youth theatre team. We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate with other community and creative arts groups and professionals to connect the work we produce with the wider community.
We offer the opportunity for our youth theatre assistants to gain training and experience to become facilitators in their own right and so as we grow, our team grows with us.
Our youth theatres run over Tuesdays and Wednesdays and take place at Kings Road URC, Crowstone Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8LH.
If you would like any more information on what we offer or opportunities to work with us, please do get in contact by emailing [email protected]. Equally, you can sign up to one of our classes by filling out an application form HERE.
Jennifer Walther – Rust Hall
” Favourite place in Southend..? I love to take a stroll along the pier.”
SEASHORE9
No Potential is a creative project, a product of Jay Sota’s art practice. Where art meets street. Using vintage finds and earth positive clothing, it is designed and hand finished in Southend on Sea.
“My favourite thing about Southend… I enjoy going for a walk at gunners park, particularly by the graffiti wall looking out at sea. “
SEASHORE9
My name is Paula and I run SeaShore9, and live in Leigh on sea.
“I love living here with the beach nearby and love that the Southend area has so many creative and artistic things going on”
JENNY SEXTON
She has a remarkable story to tell. She found that losing her memory uncovered a hidden artistic flair. Her compositions express natural emotion and have a deep resonance with both the painter and the viewer. She is greatly influenced by vibrant colour and radiant light. Her work can be described as ‘realism with an expressive flourish’.
She is often asked to paint posthumous portraits because she somehow manages to capture the real spirit and essence of a person from just a photograph.
‘When accepting a commission and planning a painting, natural expression is very important to me. Due to an episode of memory loss a few years ago, I can only recall past events very selectively. Consequently, I’m now really conscious of preserving what I have left and I try to be more ‘present’ in every new experience. I try to fully experience things whilst they are happening and I try to ‘feel’ every emotion. This whole experience has helped me to find my ‘artistic voice’ because I now place emotion at the heart of my work.’
Jenny is now accepting commissions for Christmas.
You can see her work on Instagram
WYRD ESSEX
MARKET | WORKSHOPS | GIG
We have a range of local artists selling all sorts of wares; Jewellery, candles, homewares, sustainable products and clothing!
Patch making workshop – express yourself with your own hand crafted patch!
It Takes a Village – build your mini house with recyclable materials and create a mini village with us!
After the subculteral market we have our alternative musicians performing live.
It’s an event to celebrate individuality, subcultures and creativity local to Essex.
Organised by 10 young people on a brand new course from the Agency of Creative Production.
EMMY LOUISE BATES
A two-day festival celebrating the vibrant culture, diversity, and community of
Southend and its new city status. Come along and enjoy performances, workshops
and hands on crafts for all the family.
A free, non-profit community event with cultural performances alongside make-and-
create sessions that will give the public the chance to decorate and create
instruments, jewellery and art. This is a collaboration with local community and
cultural groups to celebrate the diversity within Southend and its new city status. A
chance to see and take part in activities: Bollywood Dance with Kriti, Brazilian Tunes
with Yuri and Fernanda, Leigh Tango dance performance, Flamenco music with Hey
Jesus and martial arts with Brazilarte.
Crafting and activities will include henna tattoos, Rangoli sand art, making bracelets,
decorating pebbles and creating drums and shakers from recyclable materials.
This festival is perfect for experiencing the diversity Southend has to offer and a
chance to meet new people. Plenty of activities for children and grown-ups at
Twenty-One, café, bar and gallery, just by the pier, and serving hot and cold drinks
and food throughout the day.
For more information, check out our Instagram | Facebook page:
SOUTHCHURCH ART TRAIL
MUSICIANS MEET-UP
A strictly informal networking event for pro and semi-pro musicians living in and around Southend! Come with your questions! Come with your woes! Come with your best gig tales!
When? 7th April – 9.30am til 11.30am
Where? Pulp Kitchen, 21 Alexandra Street, Southend, SS1 1BX
Ticket admits one.
Includes…
1 Hot Drink (including all the fun ones like cappacinos and macchiatos…)
1 slice of cake OR hash brown bag
PASCALE SYMONS – LA PETITE ETOILE
“Favourite thing about Southend is I love having breakfast down the arches on the seafront!”
COPPA TOOTH
“Southend! I would like to give a shoutout to the Piehole Pizza team for being such wonderful people, Blue Root for the dope artwork and Indie Rock for bringing more to our community.”
EMMY LOUISE BATES
“My favorite thing to do in Southend is rummage in Leigh broadways abundance of charity shops to find treasures, and having a dunk in the sea!”
LITTLE KNOWN STUDIO
“My favourite place in the area is either two tree island or the pier. Love being near the water. “
BOOK AND BEER EVENT
Shouting about our wonderful readers from our first Book and Beer event at Hoppily in Leigh on Sea!
Phil Burdett | Southend Poetry Group | Tessa Buckley | Lynden Wade | Iain Mitchell | Izzy Bee| Angie Bailey | Paul Schiernecker
HAPPY HORIZONS – VIEW FROM A DITCH
I’m Rick Wade, and ‘View From A Ditch’ was basically a lockdown project where I recorded some songs I’d written over the years. I persuaded a few friends to contribute vocals and drums and built the songs up until they sounded like I wanted. Another friend offered to produce the songs so much file sharing between here and Somerset and we eventually had an album!
It’s me on guitar and bass, drum programming and some vocals; with Vicki, Simon and Philip on vocals and Jon on drums on a couple of tracks.
The style varies; it’s guitar-based with influences from folk and electronica and a slight 90s indie feel in places.
I’m based in Benfleet and the other guys and gals are from Hadleigh and Westcliff (and one in Taunton but we won’t worry about him!)
“As to my favourite thing about Southend…..that’s tricky, there’s lots of things I like. The coastline and woods are great, and I really like the craft beer scene that’s spring up over the last few years. “
SOUTHEND VOX
Who are we?
EVC is for anyone interested in singing and making music. We‘re a vocal and music school for children and young people, based in Central Southend. Activities include singing tuition, songwriting, production and how to use technology in music making, the skills required to join and be part of a band and performance opportunities for those who want them. In addition, we offer courses for adults who want to learn to sing and write songs.
We have two main objectives: to provide a space for young vocalists and singers to come together to express themselves, develop their skills, improve their confidence and find their tribe …
And …
… to remove the financial barriers associated with music making activities, for low income households via our student bursar programme.
Right now, we are getting ready for our classes launching in September which include an Adult learn to sing course, Vocal Tech classes for ages 10-14 years and Mini Pops for those aged 5-9 years as well our new Group Guitar course from ages 7-16. You can find out more, including information on all our September classes here – www.essexvocalcoaching.com
We have also partnered with Ewans Music Trust to create our bursary programme to provide financial support to children from low income families, you can find more information on that here
Southend is a vortex for creatives. We have endless reams of talent and creativity and have produced many successful musicians. In normal times, you can go out to a good quality gig of some description, most nights of the week.
JENNY SEXTON
She has a remarkable story to tell. She found that losing her memory uncovered a hidden artistic flair. Her compositions express natural emotion and have a deep resonance with both the painter and the viewer. She is greatly influenced by vibrant colour and radiant light. Her work can be described as ‘realism with an expressive flourish’.
She is often asked to paint posthumous portraits because she somehow manages to capture the real spirit and essence of a person from just a photograph.
‘When accepting a commission and planning a painting, natural expression is very important to me. Due to an episode of memory loss a few years ago, I can only recall past events very selectively. Consequently, I’m now really conscious of preserving what I have left and I try to be more ‘present’ in every new experience. I try to fully experience things whilst they are happening and I try to ‘feel’ every emotion. This whole experience has helped me to find my ‘artistic voice’ because I now place emotion at the heart of my work.’
Jenny is now accepting commissions for Christmas.
You can see her work on Instagram
NICOLA OSBORNE
LYNDEN WADE
Lynden is a writer, weaving local folklore and landscape into short stories for anthologies and ezines.
The picture here is the original sketch by Emma Howitt for Lynden’s story “The Web and the Wildwood”, in The Forgotten and the Fantastical 3. Below is links to stories you can read for free, and an introduction to some fine ezines on the web.
TEMPORAL HORIZONS – THEATRE COMPANY
“One of my personal favourite places in Southend is the Forum library in the town centre. The reason is that it is an open welcoming environment for people of all walks of life in the community, books, a great place for young children to go meet other kids and learn. Where Uni students can go to work for hours and rooms where young theatre groups like myself can work and develop our craft.
MIDNIGHT OUTCASTS
Midnight Outcasts are a local youth rock/indie band.
The boys met and formed the band at the Saturday Music School they all attend with Essex Vocal Coaching.
They started playing together at their ‘Join the band’ session and immediately hit it off (personally and musically!)
Midnight Outcasts are: Joe, Moss, Sam and Finn and are all aged between 11 and 13.
So far, they’ve been invited to play a year 6 festival themed leavers party and recently played their end of term gig at local venue Infinity Showbar, in Southend.
The boys are looking forward to spending the next term learning new material for more gigs and have recently started writing songs together too. To find out more about the band and follow their journey, check them out here!
ABBYS ART ATELIER
DARREN GODDARD
I’m a local cartoonist from Southend, I’ve had many different jobs In my lifetime but my passion has always been in art, especially cartoons.
Since the first lockdown I got my pencil and paper out again, first time for many years, and started doing cartoons about the situation, no food on shelves, no toilet rolls or eggs…
I have a dog called Purdy, so she was my source of exercise and eventually became a character in my cartoons. She chased squirrels and one particular squirrel kept teasing Purdy, who I named Bob.
There are several other characters, Steven seagull, Bazil bee, Michel Escargot the snail and more.
So, I self published 3 books “My Ludicrous life in lockdown , My Ludicrous life continues and The Ludicrous Bob squad
The local council gave me the job of creating a safety awareness poster for bus stops as well.
Recently I’ve self published a kids ABC book too and I’m now working on a Anti litter campaign for the town
SOUTHEND VOX
We are Southend Vox, a fun & sociable choir for adults in and around the Southend Area.
We sing an array of music from pop, soul, gospel and more!
Always welcoming of new members, we’ve spent the last 15 months rehearing on Zoom but are now back singing in-person together. We are particularly looking for men to bolster our baritone section.
Our website is: www.southendvox.com and you can get a really good feel of who we are and what we do, as well as get in touch to join!
KRISTINA DEMOU
Kristina is a UK based international performer and vocal coach. Having studied music theatre at the Royal Academy of Music, London, her versatility as a vocalist has taken her all over Europe and back again, performing on some of London’s finest stages including Wembley Stadium, The Royal Albert Hall and Her Majesty’s Theatre.
Singing backing vocals for Sir Elton John live on BBC television, singing for artists such as Anastacia, Emma Bunton and Duncan James, Kristina’s talents have seen her work extensively within theatre but also on cruise ships and performing live on television on numerous occasions. Kristina is currently performing with Wonder Of Uke and also can be heard on the original cast recording of new musical The Art of Skipping, due out this month.
Kristina also has her own vocal coaching business and her passion for mentoring has meant she has been able to share those skills and experiences with many teenagers, inspiring and coaching them to success on their journey to getting into top drama schools and establishments.
FLORENCE GEARY PHOTOGRAPHY
I’m a keen and enthusiastic photographer who enjoys capturing a moment in time. I’m lucky to live in such a diverse location full of natural beauty, countryside, coastal towns and in close proximity to city life. Nature and landscapes are my usual passions however enjoying my local coastline I often find myself snapping away.
I am based in Essex and have been an amateur photographer for many years, and more recently with some success. I currently have a few of my photographs on display in Southend as part of the Hare about Town event raising money for Havens Hospice. September 21 is looking to be an exciting month for me, continuing my support for Havens Hospice I will have a stall at the Hares about Town farewell event, my work will also be on display as part of an exhibition in The Art Place in Chelmsford. There is also a surprise that I am excited to reveal, however have been sworn to secrecy!
Please follow my social accounts to find out more.
Instagram | Facebook | Web
LUNA AND SOL
FOXX AND WALLIS
“Organic cotton children’s clothing in a range of style for both babies and toddlers”
SARAH SIGSTON – ARTIST IN THE ATTIC
My name is Sarah Sigston and I am the founder of Artist in the Attic in Rayleigh.
I have been actively creating art since I was a young child and attended Thurrock and Southend Art colleges after leaving Billericay school In 1983.
I work in every type of media be it acrylic, watercolour, fluid art or resin. Some of the recent art I’ve created includes; sea glass and pebble paintings and wooden fluid art fish in multi colours.
Most recently I have specialised in resin which although a particularly challenging medium, can create stunning results when success is achieved. I have used this medium alongside very old scaffold boards to recreate images of the sea. I’ve also started using the technique on furniture and sustainable Bamboo serving platters.
I spent a large part of my early life in Cornwall which is where the attachment of the seascapes originated from. Nowadays, I continue to regularly visit Old Leigh for inspiration. I love not only the sea but the old fishing nets,the rusty chains, the cogs and wheels.
Another strong connection I have to Old Leigh is the Boatyard restaurant, when I worked for the art department in a Southend school, myself and the sixth form students painted the walkway that goes through from the front to back decking of the restaurant.
My work can be viewed on my Instagram account and purchased via my Etsy shop
CONTRARY MARY
All the designs are inspired by and named after influential women. I have always had a love for vintage and pre-loved items and clothing. I am a fully committed charity shop rummager! After my children were born I became more aware of the impact we are having on the earth and tried to make small changes to our lifestyle in order to live a more sustainable life and create as little waste as possible. I love using fabrics that have had a previous life, and take great joy in seeing the transformation from something no longer used, into a beautiful piece of clothing.
DANIEL KEEBLE
BRAD ACTON POTTERY
I love making pots and I can’t wait to make more.
ROSIE HOLMAN – SINGER
After finishing a performance degree in 2010, Rosie (she/her) fell into a band straight away and now has 10 years performing professionally under her belt. She’s played in pubs, clubs, theatres, venues, back gardens and kitchen diners, on boats and under bridges, for intimate gatherings and festival size audiences! Career highlights include singing at 100 Club, London as the frontwoman of a Led Zep tribute band and performing for the Canary Wharf Summer Sessions as part of an acoustic duo in front of around 2000 people. They also include having a dance-off with a guest at a client’s house party whilst performing… (it was declared a draw if you’re interested.) When she’s not singing Jazz, she’s listening to heavy rock, indie, house, garage, soul divas and trying to figure out what new music she likes.
“My favourite place in Southend is the seafront but more particularly Chinnerys, the seafront music venue. I have so many amazing memories of gigs and nights that involved friends and cider and black! It doesn’t hurt that my partner sound engineers here either! Important milestones in our lives happened at Chinnerys and I will always love the place and the people behind it.”
THE TIME POD – COMEDY PODCAST
The positive pod opening podcast
#whatwouldyoupod
A comedy gameshow presenting pitching characters
Bringing back the old or taking back the new
With a post show wrap up as to who wins wins
The podcast’s producers are all studying Creative Producing, Theatre and Short Film, at East 15 Acting School, part of the University of Essex
#nostalgia #whatwouldyoubringback #whatwouldyoupod
“Best place in Southend is ‘the view from the pier: sea, the beach and Adventure Island Theme Park’, all in a blink of the eye”
EMMA GRACIE – WRITER
In 1997, just before I turned 16, I was accidentally flung into the world of healthcare. This unexpected journey lit a fire in me that would carry me through the 23 years of nursing that followed. I trained at Southend Hospital and have worked in various settings in the area since then ranging from nursing homes, a hospice, GP surgeries, the community and most recently a school. My nursing career has been varied and I’ve witnessed births, deaths and all that lies in between. I’ve been exhausted, heartbroken and sexually assaulted. I’ve anguished over children who aren’t my own and I have battled my own illness that forced me to change places from nurse to patient. I wanted to remember the many people who have affected me so started making little notes of them and the lessons they taught me. I thought maybe my children might like to read about them one day. Then, last summer, because other people started showing an interest in my stories I started a blog where I wrote about my many experiences. During lockdown I re-worked my blog into my nursing memoir Blue Girl: Nursing Beyond the Ward. After talking to a friend who knows about the book-world I decided to self-publish it on Amazon in July.
I’d love you to meet them too and share the crazy, sad, shocking, moving and hilarious experiences that made me Blue Girl.
If you’d like to follow me you can find me on Instagram and Twitter on my Facebook and my website www.bluegirlnurse.co.uk
“My favourite places in Southend are Chalkwell Park and the conservation area. If i need to clear my head a walk around the park or looking out to sea fro Prittlewell Square does the trick. So peaceful!”
SR LOOPS
SRLoops is a music producer based in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex. Specialising in electronic ambient music production, as well as being influenced by lofi sounds, SR produces the best of both dance and atmospheric sound scapes.
Latest song “Reasons” was released on 26/02/2021. Listen now!
“My favourite thing about Southend is it’s a place that facilitates many different facets of art and full of creatives that are innovative and keen to collaborate and create something new.”
VICKI – HAND CRAFTED FLOWERS
“My favourite place in Southend.. I has to be the seafront itself.. it’s a constantly changing place no matter what the weather and it’s been a place that has saved me at times over lockdown! Being able to walk down and stand in a space that just clears my mind is a very precious thing. “
THE PENNY ANTICS
The Penny Antics are a two piece Punk/Grunge band! We’ve been gigging around for five years now and are developing an ever-expanding fanbase. We have a ten song album out, a five song EP, a six song live set and an eight song remix album. We’ve composed a setlist that can span well over thirty minutes if needs be and we’re known for our unpredictable and energetic performances where we play each set as though it were our last; in both practices and gigs!
We’re currently promoting the premiere of the new music video to our remix song ‘Nobody Cares’ which was released on 26/01/2021 on our YouTube channel. The video’s shot entirely in stop motion animation with a touch of green screening and its concept is loosely based on classic video game genres. i.e. platform games, puzzle games etc.
“My favourite place in Southend would be The Railway Hotel as it’s an absolutely beautiful building that’s run by lovely people and has the best variety of live music and crowds!”
BECKIE MARGARET
Having spent the last 12 months writing and recording her debut album, Beckie Margaret returns on the 26th March with a soulful new single ‘FF’, the third track to be taken from her forthcoming debut album.
After emerging in 2017 with her debut single ‘Cars & Catacombs’ which was universally acclaimed, many prophesied the arrival of a major new talent.
With the help of producer, mix engineer & drummer Rees Broomfield and guitarist Daryl Tattoo, Beckie Margaret has since released a succession of ever-evolving singles and has taken her sound to the next level.
Beckie Margaret’s new single ‘FF’ is a mystery filled slow jam full of yearning emotion and crisp production.
Beckie Margaret describes the release of her new single:
“FF is a self-reflective statement, mixed with the voicing of modern themes about allowing vulnerability and love. The disappointment of expectations and pedestals from people that have let you down emotionally, yet you still feel rich from filling your own cup.”
Inspired by Bob Marley’s quote:
“I don’t have that type of richness. My richness is life, forever.”
‘FF’ is out on 26th March 2021 on Southend on Sea based label Cool Thing Records.
Listen to ‘FF’: Here
ALI – MAKE IT MINE THEATRE
It runs on this ethos.
“The idea behind the company name is to simply take a script and bring something different to the audience; to make it my own.”
MIM Theatre is a female lead company with myself in the thick of it. I do everything from the production side, right up to the promotion.
MIM came about in 2018 as a small fringe company residing in Surrey, and the company had their debut in the Rose Theatre Studios with an original play titled ‘As The Pendulum Swings’, written by a local Chelmsfordian playwright.
MIM then started running small writing workshops and performances in the Surrey area until returning home to Chelmsford, which is their main base of operations.
During the pandemic MIM went online and developed their shows from there.
Each year MIM Theatre runs a ‘writers lead’ project, which allows people to get creative with a piece of paper and develop something new. Their work is then given to a team of actors and then the magic hits your screens in two/three weeks time. Last year was a series titled ‘If I could tell’ based on the conversations you wished you could have with your younger self, which raised money for the BAATN, the Black African, Asian Therapy Network.
To rid ourselves of January blues, ‘Blossom’ kicks off our season which is raising funds for ActionAidUK.
That’s MIM in a nutshell. We work on an equal rights and opportunity basis as we like to think of the company as a family.
On Instagram and Twitter, you can find us @MIMTheatre
On Facebook, you can find us with @MIMtheatrep
About our upcoming show; “Blossom”
I‘ll be straight, it’s about the female reproductive system and just how messy it can be. This play is for those who are sick of being told “It’s just your time of the month” and to “get on with it.” It’s for those who are terrified that their body is misbehaving and they’re the only one to go through it. It’s also for those who wish to learn more about periods and the nasty side effects you can get, such as PCOS and Endometriosis.
Blossom is a verbatim piece of theatre, which means real life stories are fed into the play and given to the four women leading the cast.
This informative, quick witted play is raising money for Actionaid, a non-profit organisation that fights against period poverty. Our just giving page is right here.
“My favourite spot in Southend has to be Two Tree Island. Before the pandemic many good ideas were formed around that area!”
KATIE GAVRIEL – ARTIST
“My favourite place in Southend is the sea front at night when people are spilling in and out of the arcades and pubs and bringing our town to life 💛”
CLARE BREWSTER – ARTIST
Based in south Essex, I take inspiration from my local environment to create intricate, detailed pencil drawings.
My focus is to capture elements of flora and fauna from the places I have grown up and visit frequently.
Protecting the environment and advocating for endangered species within the UK is very important to me.
I am always looking for new ways my art can be used to inspire and motivate change.
Website: clarebrewster.com | Instagram | Facebook
“My favourite place in Southend is the Seafront. When I need to escape from whatever is causing me stress I catch the train to Leigh and I walk to Southend pier. I like to sit and watch the sunset, listen to the waves and sketch. An added bonus is a beer at the Chinneries before I head home. As soon as lockdown lifts this will be my first outing”
EMMA DEVINE – ARTIST
Emma Devine is a local Artist who is inspired by Folk and Fairy Tales alongside other stories of strange, distant and bewildering lands. Her original artwork is all hand drawn and many of her original framed pieces, alongside limited edition Giclee prints, greeting cards and illustrated tote bags can be seen and purchased via Facebook, Instagram, or Etsy. She also welcomes commissions.
You can win one of Emma’s tote bags by entering our winter competition – details here!
“My favourite place in Southend is Two Tree Island…A fabulous little Haven of peace and nature and a wonderful place to walk and refuel the creative juices.”
AVRIL – SEASIDE CIRCUS
Ahoy!
Im Avril (the one without a beard in the snap) from Seaside Circus based in Westcliff, Essex. I set up Seaside Circus after training in circus skills in London and working in Slovakia teaching circus. When I came back to Essex I thought to myself, we could do with a bit of that in our neck of the woods. The reason I chose to set up Seaside Circus was because circus really allows anyone to be able to join in, have fun and learn a new skill.
We want to show how accessible this art form is regardless of any restrictions you may have in your life. Circus can be used in such a powerful, yet non-invasive way, meaning great things can happen. No matter your age, mobility or limitations we are 110 % confident we can teach YOU a circus skill.
We offer our services in the form of birthday/celebration parties, festival/fete workshops, one off workshops and weekly classes. I have personally taught within carehomes and with those with dementia, children and adults with learning disabilities, wheelchair users, visually impaired, social groups, community groups, sensory circus sessions, family circus sessions and more!
So why not come check us out! You will be pleased to know to learn circus skills you can use everyday household items!! Want to know more then follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Avril I’d love you to meet them too and share the crazy, sad, shocking, moving and hilarious experiences that made me Blue Girl.
If you’d like to follow me you can find me on Instagram and Twitter on my Facebook and my website www.bluegirlnurse.co.uk
“My favourite thing about Southend has to be the pier. It’s real staple in my childhood. My dad was a firefighter and was at the second pier fire which sadly lost the bowling alley at the end of the pier. And we actually have a burnt bowling ball from that fire! Ssshhh don’t tell anyone….”
FRANCES MURRAY – BLABS
“Casual Sex is an ode to the dilemmas of single life. We’ve all been in a situation where you start seeing someone and there’s an ambiguity around where you stand with them and it all becomes a bit messy. This song is about as honest and blunt as you can get. I love the weight of the line “Casual sex makes me feel depressed”, I feel like it sets the sarcastic and self destructive tone of the song. It’s about knowing that the person you’re seeing doesn’t give a shit about you but still seeing them anyway even though it makes you feel crap. Instrumentally and lyrically I love it, it’s one of my favourite songs I’ve written to date; honest, hard-hitting & hooky.”
Listen to it Here !
“There is no reason why she cannot become the next big, big name in rock music.” – BBC Music Introducing In Essex – Ollie Winiberg, July 2020
“My favourite place in Southend is Stoked vegan BBQ or Dough Yos! Two Places with the best vegan food!”
DELMEZA – LUMI ESSENCE
My favourite place in Southend is Leigh Cliffs East overlooking Chalkwell Bay. It is such a beautiful spot in all seasons and tides”
EDMUND ATHELSTAN POLLINGTON – ILLUSTRATOR
“I have quite a few favorites in Southend, but I would like to shed some light on Books on Sea; a very nice book shop deserving of some love.”
EMILIE DALLOWAY – ETCH CLOTHING
A costume maker at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, before the pandemic, I am passionate about fabric, sewing, and storytelling.
As well as making masks to help us all stay safe & stylish, I have been using my sewing skills to design and make some unique, high quality clothes and accessories. These are practical and versatile every day garments, with a vintage twist. Each piece is unique. I have designed them hoping they can bring their owners some joy, in the same way that theatre does to its audience !
All the items are handmade in my studio in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, from material sourced locally. Whenever possible I buy from other local small businesses, and use fabric that would otherwise become landfill. By buying something from me you will be helping the environment and supporting local businesses, as well as acquiring something unique !
I have a range of off the peg dungarees, masks and tote bags available on my Etsy shop. I also make dresses to order, as well as stage costumes.
I also welcome commissions so if you have a specific design in mind, or if you like what you see but can’t find your size or colour, feel free to get in touch – I love to hear your feedback & ideas !2
“My favourite thing about Southend is being by the sea, and I love its indie shops. My favourites are Utopia coffee shop and Books on Sea”
ANNE ODEKE – ACTOR
Having spent most of my life in or around Southend, as well as having taught at a local school for many years before becoming an actor, I truly regard the area as home.
In my acting career, I have been fortunate enough to play at a number of theatres across the country, including Shakespeare’s Globe, The Birmingham Rep, The Nuffield and even The Palace Theatre right here in Southend. Currently I am working with The RSC on The Winter’s Tale, which we hope to open at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the Spring of 2021.
See all here credits here: Spotlight: ANNE ODEKE
“I’m a foodie, and feel we are so lucky to have such incredible cafes and restaurants in the area. I also think it’s more important than ever to ‘support local’ – so for me, as long as I’m in/getting takeaway from some eatery in the area and devouring food and drink that’s made with love, I’m happy.”
A CAUSE IN DISTRESS
Liam Watkins, Owen Foran & Dominic Robinson make up the Southend based trio.
Their single ‘Modern Commerce’ was released on January 22nd via, Southend on Sea based record label, Cool Thing Records.
This project would be a strange proposition in any other time period as it is the sound of 3 friends trapped inside a digital landscape; consisting of an enigmatic visual artist, a prodigal singer-songwriter and an ambitious beat-maker. These three imaginary boys fuse throbbing WARP Records style electronic undercurrents to soaring frantic futurism through their vocals and instrumentation.
“modern commerce is about learning to open up about one’s flaws throughout the therapy process, in an attempt to understand and make peace with the person that you are”
Listen to it Here !
“…if their debut is as good as that they can only be sitting on more gems to reveal to the world…” – BBC Music Introducing In Essex – Jake Peach, August 2020
GAZ DE VERE – PHOTOGRAPHER
Gaz de Vere is a Southend based Socialist photographer and activist, working mainly in a photojournalist style.
He has been documenting community events and protests for several years and 2020 has offered many challenges, not least the Black Lives Matter movement which has both drawn people together and cast divisions between them in almost equal measure.
You can see his photographs here
“My favourite place in Southend is anywhere that sells pink gin!”
EMMA GRACIE – WRITER
“My favourite place in Southend is enjoying a blustery sea front walk with my partner.”
ROUTES THEATRE COMPANY
Rachel Triggs is a creative arts educator who lives and breathes creative learning. By day she manages Southend Theatre’s Community and Education Department and in her own time she has founded her own Theatre in Education Group, Routes Theatre Company.
Frustrated by outdated misconceptions about the value of the arts and the viability of it being a realistic sector to work in, Rachel founded Routes Theatre Company to work with and for young people from Essex. Routes Theatre Company believes that theatre is a tool for social change and that participation within the arts can help young people grow.
Routes Theatre Company are currently publishing monthly newsletters featuring creative industry experts advising youngsters on how to break into their dream role within the theatre industry. Alongside this, the theatre in education group are working on producing an intergenerational digital theatre project exploring the impact technology has on relationships in a Covid world.
“My favourite place in Southend is the Cliff Gardens. There’s something so relaxing about strolling through these gardens on a Summer Day or in the Winter Sun. It’s visually beautiful, well maintained and overlooks our lovely coastline. I feel at home, and proud of our county when I visit the Cliff Gardens.”
SI DEAVES – COMEDIAN
Si Deaves is a comedian, writer and podcast host and producer from Essex. He performs extensively across the country and writes sketches, scripts and more and regularly produces podcasts, including his own, The Comedian’s Tea Party, which can be found on all major podcast platforms.
He uses stand-up to delve into the weird and wonderful things his mind does, and as a platform to exercise his dry acerbic wit.
Follow him on Facebook – he regularly gigs in Southend!
“One of the best undiscovered acts in the country” – BFG Concerts
“Great. Very Original” – Anonymous famous comedian
“I think I’d say my favourite part of Southend is somewhere that I discovered during the lockdown, when my fiance bought me an inflatable kayak, from which I discovered the estuary in a way I never had before. Growing up around here I’ve always seen it and have always loved spending time on the beach with friends, but there’s something special about being on the water and seeing everywhere from Shoeburyness to Canvey from the water. Its gives it all a little bit of magic.”
LIZZIE PAGE – WRITER
Hello, I’m a Southend author and I write under the pen-name Lizzie Page. I also teach creative writing workshops at Create98 (which is where I met the founder of this site!)
I’ve been writing all my adult life, and finally got a publishing contract with Bookouture – a Digital First Publishing Company about three years ago. My books are historical fiction. The first ones ‘The War Nurses’ and ‘Daughters of War’ were inspired by real life women who volunteered to nurse in World War One. My third book ‘When I was you’ was about a woman who took in an evacuated child in World War Two, and my fourth ‘The Forgotten Girls’ was about the girlfriend of the war correspondent, Robert Capa. I’ve recently released my fifth book, ‘The Wartime Nanny’ – see picture – which was inspired by the 20,000 German and Austrian Jewish women who came to England to work as domestic servants in the 1930s. My books have sold over 100,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into Swedish, Dutch, Czech and Hungarian.
I love writing and feel hugely lucky to be published: To be paid to do something you love is a massive privilege and I’m determined not to waste the opportunity. I have recently signed a three-book contract with Bookouture for a series of books set in post-war Britain and I am now researching life at the time. I think I have mentioned Southend or Westcliff in nearly all of my books – well, they say ‘write what you know…’
I’ve just get a web-site, Lizzie-Page.com or you can find me on twitter: @lizziepagewrite FB or instagram.
“I have loads of favourite place in Southend, mostly coffee shops! But I’m going to recommend somewhere a 20min drive away – Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome. Going here is like going back in time; it’s an aviation museum but it’s more than that. It’s all fields and fantastic skies, and run mostly by volunteers, there’s a lovely tearoom and a lovely shop and a small but perfectly formed exhibition on Women in World War One. It really is an undiscovered gem.”
FLORENCE SCOTT – GHASTLY CREATURES
Hello Southend! My name is Florence Scott.
I am an illustrator, prop maker and creator of Ghastly Creatures, an illustrative world of ghouls and grizzlies – with style! I’ve been illustrating for the past three years, alongside working in the film and theatre industries making and painting my way through all sorts of interesting projects. With a passion for the natural world and an interest in fantasy themes and storytelling, my work over the years has evolved in style. My Ghastly Creatures however have been a constant. These beasties can seem dark and menacing but their origins are quite the opposite, they’re a lesson in learning to love yourself and relishing in your weirdness! These creatures love life! They started as a respite for creative block back when I started freelancing. A lot of inspiration of the style comes from animation of the early 00’s and a lifelong fascination with the macabre and gothic.I’m currently open to portrait commissions and collaborations! To view more of my work or to send me a message follow @ghastlycreatures or @florencescott.illustration and to purchase prints, cards and merchandise head to etsy.co.uk/shop/ghastlycreatures
“My favourite place in Southend has to be Chalkwell Beach, midwinter. When the estuary is full of wading birds, the beach is empty and the air is misty and cool”