Did you know that back in 2007 we renovated the previously unused Chalkwell Hall, built in 1830, to form our base in Southend-on-Sea?
It was built by George Mason in 1830 and at the time, it was a farmhouse on a large estate. The trees lining the drive (now the avenue from the house to London Road) were planted the same year. The four storey Grade II listed white Georgian house sits within the grounds of Chalkwell Park and the hall has a fantastic position at the brow of the hill, offering magnificent views across the Thames Estuary across to Kent.
After George Mason died, the house was sold to Southend Council in 1899. At the same time, there was a building boom in the area, spurred on by the newly developed railway from Southend to London. As housing estates began to settle in the surrounding areas, the Council managed to preserve 26 acres of land for use as a public park, and so, in 1901 Chalkwell Hall became a popular cafe in the centre of the park. The house was also used as the home where the park keeper and head gardener resided.
Back in 2007, we invited author and archivist Rachel Lichtensten into residence to help us understand the history surrounding Chalkwell Hall. Her research and residency took place prior to and during the renovation work on the house, as we began our incarnation from a vacant into the space.
Today, the building has hosted hundreds of artists in residences, talks, workshops, performances, community dinners and we’re sure there will be much more!
#WeAreMetal20#MetalMemories20
Image credit: Mark Massey
ID: The outside of Chalkwell Hall, a white house-like building, painted with four bright and colourful murals. They have black wording on, featuring quotes from the journals. In the foreground is the slate wall in front of the hall, and garden displays with flowers and shrubs.
#MetalSouthend#ChalkwellHall#Southend#Chalkwell#Hall#ChalkwellPark#Essex#SouthEssex#SouthEast#TheWaterReplies#EstuaryFestival#Estuary2021#JoeAndCharlotte#Murals#Journals#Residencies#Events#Film#Screening#Art#Artist#SouthendCityCouncil
It’s been 10 years since we created our ‘Anthem’ choir of 2000 voices on the seafront, to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay to our city of Southend on Friday 6 July 2012!
The project brought together a choir of 1500 school pupils and 500 adults from across Southend to sing a specifically commissioned piece of choral music by Tolga Kashif. The piece of music titled ‘Anthem: Let Your Light Shine’ was a rousing, epic work that draws on many different music genres, rhythm and styles to represent a global message. Staged on the seafront, the choir sang to a crowd of tens of thousands as the Olympic Torch made its lunch time stop. Southend joined together in collective voice to celebrate our town, its people, its cultural achievements and to send a message of good luck to the Olympic athletes.
Music accompaniment for the work was provided by Black Dyke Mills Band among many other musicians.
We worked in partnership with 34 schools, 7 community choirs and 3 music directors to rehearse and perform the work, with the help of Southend City Council, Southend Education Trust and Arts Council England.
#WeAreMetal20#MetalMemories20
Image description in the comments.
Image credit: Brad Keeble
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This bank holiday weekend is your last chance to enjoy our estuary views at Cafe Valise and take part in our final Essex Writers’ House open mic park read.
We’re excited to welcome Susie Valentine for our last park read, this Sunday 28 August, for Susie's Saucy Sassy Seaside Show. An Estuary Memoir based on her The Water Replies Journal. Expect poetry, performance, props and puppets!
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support with our pop-up Cafe Valise and for coming along to our Essex Writers’ House events. We have our final event next week on Saturday 4 September in Chalkwell Park (weather permitting) as Create98 hosts a beginners writers course. Follow the link in our bio for more details.
Our cafe won’t be open on Saturday, but do come and join us on Friday 27 and Sunday 28 August for a cream tea in Chalkwell Park! 🍰
Image credit: Essex Writers’ House Open Mic Park Reads.
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[ID: A person stands at the front of the veranda in front of The Water Replies murals on Chalkwell Hall performing their poetry from a red book, whilst five audience members look intently, enjoying the performance.]