Arts and Cultural Fund to support programme in

2023

Essex residents will benefit from a range of arts and cultural events, activities and shows this year thanks to the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund.

The fund is now in its second year and continues to support the county’s cultural and creative sector, to help its recovery following the pandemic, and enable more residents to access arts and cultural activities. Essex residents and visitors can enjoy a range of free and low-cost festivals, events and exhibitions through organisations such as the Essex Book Festival, Thaxted Festival and Harlow Art Trust. There are also schemes delivered by individual artists.

The second round of the Arts and Cultural Fund asked applicants to demonstrate how their projects would engage with

Poppy Display for Remembrance Sunday 2023

The Friends of Wickford Memorial Park (Volunteer Group) are planning a Poppy Display for Remembrance Sunday this year in the park.

Knitted and Crocheted Poppies for a display around the Beacon in the Heroes Arboretum and Plastic Poppies to attach to lampposts along the Remembrance Avenue.

Councillor Graham Butland, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Devolution, the Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “Art and culture is of vital importance to the county, and I’m pleased that through the ECC Arts and Cultural Fund we are able to support activity across a wide range of artistic, cultural and creative disciplines.

“The fact that we had so many high-quality applications to the fund again this year is testament to the amount of highly skilled and creative art and cultural practitioners we have in Essex.

“Be it from countryside to coast, these Arts and Cultural Fund funded projects will enrich the lives of the county’s residents.”

Find out more about our Arts and Cultural Fund via www.explore-essex.com/

If anyone wants to help there is a new Facebook group set up: Poppy Making 2023

Which includes knitted/crocheted patterns and a video on making the Plastic Poppies. Or contact email: Friendsofwickfordmemorialpark@hotmail. com when responding

All help welcomed. Drop off points are Co-op Funeral Care in Wickford High Street for knitted and crocheted poppies and Co-op St Lukes in Runwell will be collecting empty bottles for volunteers to collect to paint.

Dance classes for beginners. (even those with two left feet)

Fun, Friendly, Music and Dance

Just turn up in and in 10 minutes, you’ll be dancing.

No partner needed. Basic moves to make it easy. We show you every move to help you. £6 a class. Pay-as-you-go.

Starting dates Monday 3rd April and Tuesday 4th April

Every Monday morning, 9:30am every Tuesday evening, 6:30pm

Our Lady’s Hall 61 London Road (opposite dentist and chiropractor) Wickford, SS12 0AW

Free parking is available.