Clacton Rocks! Essex Book Festival
Join us for a day of fun activities in Clacton which celebrates people and place, bringing people together with storytelling, art and the spoken word. Expect a bumper programme brought to you by Essex Book Festival, Essex Cultural Diversity Project, Clacton Arts Centre, CVS Tendring, and other partners in Clacton. Expect a Human Library, lots of children’s creative activities, wellbeing workshops, seaside storytelling, Beach Hut based fun, poetry performances, pebble painting and creating art from litter!
Here’s the full programme…
Know your Beach Workshop (BSL Signed)
Seaside Explorers: Libby Scarfe
Join Essex Book Festival and Seaside Explorers on Clacton beach to explore the local habitat. We’ll be looking for treasures that the seaside has to offer to inspire some creative art from around the world. And, of course, there will also be some time for a story and maybe some marine mischief! Storytelling and songs will be BSL interpreted.
This event is organised by Essex Book Festival as part of The Young Ones project which is supported by Essex County Council’s Cultural Development Project Fund, to support the growth of cultural venues and organisations that bring culture to the heart of communities in Essex.
- When: 10.00am – 12.00pm
- Where: Clacton Beach, meet by Clacton Pier
- Who for: Suitable for ages 5-11 but everybody welcome!
Tickets: £3 per young person. Accompanying adult free.
To Book: https://BSLknowyourbeach.eventbrite.co.uk
A day of beach family fun activities organised by CVS Tendring and friends! Drop-in to their beach hut, just along from Toby Carvery.
Beach Hut Storytelling
Drop in anytime between 10am and 2pm
From farm boggarts to funny fairies, come and join local Storyteller Mer Richardson weaving warm tales connecting us to the world.
Pebble Painting
Drop in anytime between 10am and 2pm
Come along and decorate a pebble!
From Trash to Treasure
10.00-12.00: Litter Picking
12.00-16.00: Art Workshop
This hands-on family adventure by the sea starts with a litter pick along the beach and seafront gardens, helping protect our coastline and the wildlife that calls it home. Then turn rubbish into something wonderful at their art workshop – From bottle tops to tangled twine, you’ll be amazed what a little imagination can do.
Wise Ram Workshop, credit Lorna Powell
The Young Ones: Eco-Workshops at Clacton Library
A Letter to the Future
Write a Letter to the Future which will become part of a county-wide children’s zine.
The Vanishing Lake with Wise Ram Theatre
Help create a new fantasy adventure show called ‘The Vanishing Lake’ through fun creative activities, from drawing characters, doing crafts and playing games. Wise Ram Theatre is based in Harwich and makes theatre with humour, heart and nerve. wiseramtheatre.co.uk @wiseramtheatre.
The workshops are organised by Essex Book Festival as part of The Young Ones project supported by Essex County Council’s Cultural Development Project Fund, to support the growth of cultural venues and organisations that bring culture to the heart of communities in Essex.
- When: Drop in anytime between 12.00pm – 3.00pm
- Where: Clacton Library, Station Road, CO15 1SF
- Tickets: Free, drop-in, no booking required
The Human Library: unJudge someone
Just like in a real library, a visitor to the Human Library can borrow a book from a range of titles. The difference is that books are PEOPLE, and reading is a CONVERSATION. Books in our Human Library come from all walks of life, and each has an experience to share. Come along and connect with people you wouldn’t normally meet, and celebrate positive differences in our communities.
- When: Drop in anytime between 11.00am and 3.00pm
- Where: CVS Tendring, Sam’s Hall, Imperial House, 20-22 Rosemary Road CO15 1NZ
- Tickets: Free, no booking required.
Creative Wellbeing Workshop with Mer
Befriending Your Thoughts to Change Your World is a creative wellbeing workshop by local wellbeing coach and storyteller Mer Richardson. Learn how to rewire your brain and make personalised oyster shell decoupage affirmations.
- When: 2.30-3.30pm
- Where: Clacton Art Gallery
- Tickets: Free, no booking required
Tiptoe Creatives Launch
Journaling is the practice of writing down your thoughts regularly. It can help people to process their emotions, experiences and supports reflection. Tiptoe Creatives are new monthly journaling groups for adults in Clacton-on-Sea. There are two groups. One is for people living with a mental health condition and one is for people living with Autism. The sessions support people to try different journaling techniques and explore themes such as mindfulness and self-expression. Come along and meet those involved, find out more, and try your hand at journaling.
- When: 3.00pm – 4.00pm
- Where: Reuby’s Salt Beef and Cheesecake Bar, 66-68 Rosemary Rd, CO15 1TE
- Tickets: Free, booking recommended
- Find out more: https://www.tiptoetraining.com/tiptoe-creatives
Art:Up! Homecoming Poetry Reading and Open Mic
Join The Art:UP! This collaborative poetry project launched in the 2025 Essex Book Festival, and has seen more than fifty poets from across Essex get together and share new poetry. The final instalment of this year’s project is on the theme of ‘Homecoming’. We actively encourage new and neurodivergent writers to participate.
How to get involved:
- sign up to write something new with a partner,
- write your own poem on the theme,
- or just come along to support diverse voices from around the county.
Led by The University of Essex, Essex Book Festival, Waxes Lyrical in Chelmsford, PoetryPlus in Manningtree and Clacton’s own Boho Banter.
- When: 4.00pm – 6.00pm
- Where: Reuby’s Salt Beef and Cheesecake Bar, 66-68 Rosemary Rd, CO15 1TE
- Tickets: Free, booking recommended
- Box Office: artupclacton.eventbrite.co.uk
- Find out more: email jksava@essex.ac.uk | insta @art_up_poetry
Stand Up For Diversity Clacton!
Essex Cultural Diversity Project and Essex Book Festival invite you to an evening of three-minute mini-talks and short shout-outs, bringing together those who want to champion diversity in Clacton. Come along to make new connections, explore the transformative power of creativity, and collectively celebrate diverse voices involved in the arts and in our communities. All welcome.
- When: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
- Where: Reuby’s Salt Beef and Cheesecake Bar, 66-68 Rosemary Rd, CO15 1TE
- Tickets: Free, booking recommended
- Box Office: su4d-clacton.eventbrite.co.uk
Attila the Stockbroker
Clacton Arts Centre and Unity in the Community present punk poet, multi instrumentalist musician and songwriter, Attila the Stockbroker, who will be performing in the evening at The Robert Burre.
- When: From 8.30pm
- Where: The Robert Burre, 183 Burrs Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 4LH
- Tickets: Free, no booking required
