15 Feb Essex Talks – Firstsite welcomes writers creatives and thinkers to discuss Britain’s most misunderstood county
Ahead of the publication of his book The Invention of Essex this summer, journalist and author Tim Burrows will be joined at Colchester’s Firstsite by key figures across art and culture, to explore and discuss Britain’s most misunderstood county.
The first in the series of conversations takes place on Thursday 16 February, with a reflection on the deadly Essex Floods of 1953. Tim will welcome fellow writer Ken Worpole (author of 350 Miles: An Essex Journey) and architect Hana Loftus (Director of HAT Projects) to discuss the events caused by a devastating spring tide that inundated coastal areas of the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Scotland.
Here in Essex, Canvey Island, Jaywick, Harwich and Thurrock were especially hit by the storm surge during the night of 31 January, when an abnormally high spring tide and severe windstorm over the North Sea caused the sea to breach over 1200 sea defences along the East Anglia coast, with sea walls breached in 300 places. 104 people died in Essex, while thousands more were left homeless.
Tim, Hana and Ken will examine the impacts of this tragic event across the county and its legacy 70 years on; reflecting on how we can approach the risk which still exists of a similar event, while ensuring communities affected are supported equitably.
Friday 17 March sees the renowned journalist and polemicist Simon Heffer return to the county of his birth to look back on the momentous day (7 October 1990) when an anonymous column written by him was published in the Sunday Telegraph and introduced Britain to the concept of “Essex Man”. The term became an instant staple of political analysis and three decades later, its cultural legacy inspired Michael Landy’s hugely popular Welcome to Essex exhibition at Firstsite in 2021.
Tim will also talk with Simon about his historical writing, including his most recent work on the colourful and at times controversial life of Sir Henry ‘Chips’ Channon (1897 – 1958), the American-born British Conservative politician (he was MP for Southend between 1935 to 1950), author and diarist, who lived at Kelvedon Hall from 1937 until his death.
Both talks will also be available as Livestream broadcasts for those who can’t attend the evenings at Firstsite in person.
Tickets for the in-person event are £18 (Standard), £15 (Concessions) and £10 (Students) respectively.
Tickets for the Livestream broadcasts are available at just £5. Once booked, the corresponding link to watch your selected event(s) will be sent to your email address 30 minutes before the start of each talk.
To book your place, please visit firstsite.uk and look for the Essex Talks pages. Alternatively, call 01206 713 700 and a lovely member of the team will be only too happy to help.
