Eastlife Spring 2020

Essex
Braintree Village
(retail shopping outlet)
Over the next few years Braintree Village will undergo
a huge transformation and facelift, bringing over
90 fashion, food, beauty and homeware brands
together, including a new flagship store and a great
choice of restaurants and cafes, in stylish, social and
relaxing surroundings. The village celebrated its 20th
Anniversary in 2019. www.braintree-village.com
Mercury Rising
An exciting project which will modernise and
improve the much-loved Mercury Theatre in
Colchester, safeguarding its future for the whole
community. Redeveloping the main Foyer,
Auditorium, creating a Café, new back-stage facilities
and making it accessible for all. It will re-open in
September 2020. www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/
England’s Creative Coast
Campaign
A collaboration between Essex, Kent and East Sussex
to install seven waterfront art installations – one to be
unveiled in Essex on 24 and 25 July by artist Katrina
Palmer in Southend. Also, the world’s first Geo Tour
will be released in July/August covering these areas.
englandscreativecoast.org
The Gibberd Gallery, Harlow
In April the Gibberd Gallery will have a brand-new exhibition, Lee
Grandjean: Seeing Things 1970-2020.
This exhibition will for the first time, take a retrospective view of
Lee’s wide -ranging sculptural practice, showing work from the
1970s to the present day.
April will also see the launch of a brand-new website for Harlow
Sculpture Town. This will make the collection more accessible, a
map with three new trails, and each sculpture will also be getting
an eye-catching sign.
www.gibberdgallery.co.uk
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
The oldest surviving World War I aerodrome in Europe is
delighted to announce the arrival of a new exhibition to the
Aerodrome from Good Friday 10 April until 31 October 2020.
The new project, created in partnership with the Tourism and
Mayors office for the Nord de Pas de Calais, with the help of the
RAF, by the site’s award-winning display team of volunteers. Set
in the Home Defence Museum, ‘St Omer: The Great War’ will be
a fantastic exploration of the largest logistical depot and aviation
operations in the history of the Great War. This will be the only
opportunity to see this exhibition in the UK.
www.stowmaries.org.uk
Mountfitchet House on the Hill
Museum, Stansted
New for 2020 in the House on the Hill Museum (formerly
House on the Hill Toy Museum) will be a WW2 Exhibition. This
exhibition is based on the time of the Blitz, and in particular the
evacuation of children, the largest evacuation in history. The
exhibition will feature historical documents, photographs and
many exhibits from life on The Home Front.
www.stanstedtoymuseum.com
KEY EVENTS 2020
28 Feb – 31 Mar, Essex Book Festival
Over 100 events in over 45 venues throughout the
county.
www.essexbookfestival.org.uk
4 & 5 April, Chocolate Festival
Cressing Temple
www.explore-essex.com/events
19 – 21 April, Real Tennis World Championships
Prested Hall
www.prested.co.uk
May – Oct, Essex Summer of Art
The county’s largest ever visual art festival, with art trails,
open studios, workshops, performances, exhibitions
and much more.
www.exploreculture.org.uk
3 May, Maldon Mud Race
A wacky competition where participants race across
400m of muddy river.
www.maldonmudrace.com
6 -10 May, VE Day Celebration
Southend Pier
www.visitsouthend.co.uk/whats-on
30-31 May, Discover 2020 – 200 years of HMS
Beagle
The Freight House, Rochford
www.rochford.gov.uk/leisure-and-tourism/
discover-2020
5 – 21 June Southend Festival of Arts
Music, comedy, art, theatre and literature.
www.visitsouthend.co.uk/whats-on
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