03 Jan Take the Explore Essex 2020 Challenge!
This New Year make a resolution to get out more, have fun in the great outdoors, spot wildlife, research your family history, get fit and healthy or learn a new skill. These are just a few of the challenges suggested by Explore Essex, the new brand for Essex County Council’s Culture and Green Spaces team.
Explore Essex is running a year-long ‘Explore Essex 2020 Challenge’ to get the people of Essex out and about enjoying their local country parks, historic venues and coastal landscapes. In fact, they’ve created 101 things to see and do across the county from mountain biking in Hadleigh Park and den building in Danbury, to watching classic films at the Essex Record Office and learning a new craft or skill!
The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change Action is Councillor Simon Walsh and he says: “The New Year is a great time to make positive changes. We’re encouraging everyone, especially families, to discover what’s on their doorstep, get active, try new things and have fun outdoors. Research has proven that getting out more and being with nature is great for our wellbeing. Kids love jumping in muddy puddles, feeding the ducks, climbing trees and learning through play; it may be cool outside at this time of year, but wrap up warm and there are plenty of adventures to be had, so get out and about and Explore Essex.”
He continued: “We want to positively challenge people of all ages to join in. Our country parks and historic venues offer play, education and volunteering opportunities. They are also the locations for many fantastic events throughout the year, from chocolate and green festivals to outdoor cinema and wildlife walks.”
Explore Essex includes Belhus Woods Country Park (Aveley), Cressing Temple Barns, Cudmore Grove Country Park (East Mersea). Danbury Country Park, Essex Record Office (Chelmsford), Essex Outdoors, Flitch Way (Braintree to Bishop’s Stortford), Great Notley Country Park, Hadleigh Country Park, Jaywick Martello Tower, Marsh Farm Country Park (South Woodham Ferrers), Sky Ropes (Great Notley), The Lock Climbing Wall (Harlow), Thorndon Country Park (Brentwood), Weald Country Park (Brentwood), plus a wide range of water, post and steam mills which are open to the public on set dates.
To sign-up to the Explore Essex 2020 Challenge and view the 101 things to see and do in Essex, please visit www.explore-essex.com/events/challenge. Everyone who completes 20 challenges will be awarded with a certificate. To share images of you and your family taking part in the challenge simply hashtag #ExploreEssexChallenge and you could win an Explore Essex hamper!
