The Essex Ways: premiere film screening and Q&A

“I come not from Heaven, but from Essex” - William Morris

Discover the many ways of Essex with the premiere screening of ‘The Essex Ways’, a feature length documentary by filmmaker Thomas Winward.

The film follows Essex-born storyteller James Lawrence on an epic 400km walking journey around the county to discover its places, people and stories. Over 21 days, James adventures through rural Essex from Epping to Harwich, and then down the coast to Tilbury Docks. Along the way, he explores the many beautiful natural landscapes of Essex, while delving into the history, folklore and stereotypes that make Essex the fascinating county it is today. Expect thrills, chills, myths, modern retellings of 2000 years of history, and a lot of love for trees and mud.

After the film, there will be a Q&A with storyteller James Lawrence and filmmaker Thomas Winward.

The screening and talk will be held at the Hadleigh Old Fire Station, a vibrant community arts centre in a historic corner of South Essex. Bring your own food and drink!

You are also invited to join James on a story walk around nearby Hadleigh Country Park, taking place before the screening (starting at 2pm and finishing at approx 4:30pm, with a pint in Ye Olde Castle Inn, near the venue). This is an opportunity to explore local history and further immerse yourself in some of the local stories James discovered on his epic walking journey. You are welcome to attend  both the walk and the screening, or just one or the other. For details of the story walk, or to book a place, see here: Hadleigh Castle: Story Walk

Event Details

• Location: Hadleigh Old Fire Station, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 2PA
• Parking: free parking at the venue, with overflow parking in nearby Morrisons (3hr limit)
• Doors: 7pm
• Start: 7:30pm
• Finish: 9:30pm
• Price: £5
• Food and drink - bring your own
• Details of nearby story walk: Hadleigh Castle: Story Walk
• Questions: james@manaboutcountry.co.uk

This film is part of ‘The Essex Ways’ a storytelling project funded by the Essex County Council Art & Cultural Fund 2025. For this project, Essex-born storyteller James Lawrence has undertaken an epic 400km walking journey around the county in Spring 2025. Along the way he’s collected stories: from books, from the land, and from Essex residents. These stories have been woven together into a series of modern Essex myths, and shared in a series of story walks across Essex, as well as a film and a book. James’ aim is to celebrate the many different sides of Essex by highlighting local heritage as well as the beauty of the county’s natural landscapes.

You can learn more about The Essex Ways here:

• Website: www.manaboutcountry.co.uk/essexways
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/man_about_country
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@manaboutcountry