The Essex Ways: film screening and Q&A

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.

The screening and talk will be held at Chalkwell Hall, a Grade II Listed building with views over the Thames Estuary. This is the home of Metal Southend, an arts organisation that is a magnet for art and creativity in Essex and beyond.

Before the screening, you are also invited to join James on a story walk around nearby Hadleigh Country Park, this will start at 2pm and finish by 5pm. 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: a Man About Country Story Walk

Additionally, on Sunday 21st June (the day after the screening) James will be leading a special walk around the spectacular Canvey Wick nature reserve. This will focus on the theme of using storytelling, nature and place to supercharge one's creative practice. This event is in partnership with Metal Southend (ticket link TBC)

Event Details

• Location: Chalkwell Hall, Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 8NB
• Parking: free parking at the venue
• Doors: 6:30pm
• Start: 7pm
• Finish: 9:30pm (includes a short interval)
• Price: £10
• Food and drink - snacks and drinks available from the bar
• Details of nearby story walk: Hadleigh Castle: a Man About Country Story Walk
• Questions: james@manaboutcountry.co.uk

This film was originally 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