I chat with artist and illustrator, Maxine Newell, who lives and works in Basildon. She is currently studying an MA in Illustration at Falmouth University and has a BA in Fine Art. Maxine creates sketchy, playful illustrations that talk of her life experiences and the everyday mundane, overlooked narratives. Previously, she has worked on a commission basis for clients both regionally and internationally.

Ros Connors got in touch in September 2019 and wanted me in an interview on her show on Gateway 97.8FM. I decided to bring along some people who had been wonderful contributors to my recently published book 'Lost Basildon'. So Geraldine Evans, whose family had ran The Barge in Vange for 70 years came along, also Tom King, former Chief Feature Writer for the Echo newspaper. Also, Roy Davis, professional photographer and former security guard at Yardley's joined me too. It was a lot of fun doing the interview as a gang.

Sometimes you hear about wonderful people, Irie Perera is one of those people. I first heard about her through my friend, she is an avid fundraiser for several charities. When the dark clouds of the pandemic came she found the strength to be creative and wrote several poems inspired by our dire situation. She plans to make an anthology of poems to raise money for her charities. One of the charities is the UK registered Sri Lanken charity called Helasarana, another is the Scarfree Foundation which is a British research charity, their aim is to achieve scar free healing for burns, war wounds etc.

Rachel Triggs is an amazing young lady. She has utilised her experience from managing the community and education department at Southend Theatres and her degree in drama and used it in setting up Routes Theatre Company in 2020 and starting up the Castle Point Creatives Facebook page this year.

I talk to Crystal Atlantis, medicine woman, therapist, teacher, using shamanism, plants, theta, sound, for deep healing and harmony. https://www.facebook.com/dimensionstohealing

Vin Harrop, Arts Animateur, has played a key role in the development and promotion of the arts in the UK over the past sixty years. He has chaired and served on national, regional, and local boards/associations in support of the arts, and has worked in local government, in the West End, and in regional theatre, film, television and radio as a senior executive and above. He retired early in 1999 and had time to plough his passion and his experience into arts and heritage projects locally.

Rose Cleary is a Sociocultural and Arts Writer who finished her MA in Art, Literature and Culture in 2020. She did this in the Netherlands. She has a fresh intelligent take on local society. I talk with her about her written work and fine art past. http://rosecleary.com. (without trailer)

James Nason is the mystery man behind the 'Basildon History' website. He also volunteers as a webmaster and a researcher for the Basildon Borough Heritage Group. http://basildonhistory.wixsite.com/essex

Sociocultural and Arts writer, Rose Cleary, finished her MA in Art Literature and Society in 2020, she did this in the Netherlands. She has a fresh, intelligent take on local society and isn't afraid to challenge decisions made by the establishment. I talk with her about her written work and fine art past. http://rosecleary.com

I began a new direction in my life by joining the Basildon Heritage team as a researcher. Later I became an author of two local history books, 'Basildon Through Time' and 'Lost Basildon'. All is revealed in this podcast. https://lisajanehorner.wixsite.com/lisahornerauthor