For their commission at Coalhouse Fort, artist and writer Laura Trevail has been engaging with Thurrock residents to help foster a sense of local pride and ownership, and help all value and invest in the future of the Fort, an important cultural asset on their doorstep.

Over the last few months, Laura has been bringing together people who love, seek out, or stumble upon Coalhouse Fort in the creation and sharing of ghost stories, and recently launched the Coalhouse Fort Ghost Story Competition.

This March the winners were announced, and invited to the Fort to celebrate their writing.

Introducing the winners:

Vienna Moon, winner of the ‘Family Friendly Spooking Around’ category, with Little Gloria and the shadow man. A properly frightening story for both adults and children, rich in modern-historical and ghostly detail.

“My name is Vienna Moon. I am a 28 years old female who lives in Corringham, Essex. I am Autistic and I love being creative! I love Halloween so much that I get really excited about it and end up getting into the spooky spirit from the end of August every year. I also love visiting Coalhouse Fort on occasions as it is refreshing to walk around and be out in nature and around history.” Vienna Moon

Leanne Drain, winner of the “Scare the Grown-Ups” category, with her story The three shadows of my bad dreams. A claustrophobic dream-state short, flinging us helplessly and viscerally around in time.

“I have always enjoyed writing since the age of 12 my granddad was my inspiration behind all my journey I loved him dearly he was my world and I am proud that he got to see 12 years of my life writing has always been a great part of my life I write with passion and It’s something I hold dear.” Leanne Drain

The winners’ stories will be now be recorded by professional actors to haunt the Fort for years to come.

The artist and writers were welcomed by Roxie Curry, representing co-commissioners Start Thurrock and Essex Cultural Diversity Project; Kevin Diver, Coalhouse Fort’s new Engagement Manager; Allen Jones, Chair of the Coalhouse Fort Advisory Group; and Kirsty Riches, representing the Engine Tearoom, who presented each writer with a £25 voucher for the tearoom.

Photo credits: Left: courtesy Sharon Drain – Right: courtesy Laura Trevail