Jo Coldwell
After a short stint at the BBC, Jo worked for independent dance label Pulse-8 Records for 10 years, before moving to Colchester and co-organising “Tea & Sympathy” themed events. In 2007 Jo set up the Appetite Book Club which has 100+ members meeting monthly. From 2016, Jo worked for, and now manages, award winning, independent bookshop Red Lion Books. According to Jo all problems can be solved through reading or being on a yoga mat.
Marc De’ath
Marc is Culture Services Manager at Chelmsford City Council, co-chair of SECEN, a network supporting the creative sector in the South East, cofounder of Colchester Makerspace, and one of the original founders of Creative Coop. He believes in using art, design, culture and technology to make a positive impact in the world. He draws inspiration from our radical roots and heritage in innovation in Essex. He advocates for our communities to lead, own and drive social, cultural and environmental change.
Dr Sarah Demelo
Sarah is an art historian and curator based at the University of Essex, where she looks after the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA), the University Art Collection and the Library’s Archives and Special Collections. Her work explores how art and archives shape our sense of place and imagination, often drawing inspiration from the landscapes and stories of Essex. She has curated exhibitions across the UK and Canada, most recently Restless Brilliance: The Story of J.A. Baker and The Peregrine, co-curated with Chelmsford Museum.
Seona Ford
Born in Essex of Scottish parents, Seona spent much of her career working in education in the county. Throughout her life she has worked to nurture and celebrate the people who write, publish and sell books. She belongs to several literary societies and has a great interest in family and local history.
Anna Gordon
Anna is Library Support Lead for Funding, Events and Partnerships at Essex County Council. Her career has taken her from primary school classrooms to environmental and educational charities, and to running a climate education centre in Epping Forest. A passionate advocate for libraries as vibrant, community-rooted spaces, Anna believes they offer abundant opportunities. If life outside of work could involve travelling in her campervan to visit places of natural beauty by day and snuggling up with a good book by night, she’d be pretty content.
Rob Jelly
A professional child and maker-upper of non-sense, Rob has loved stories for as long as he can remember (It just took him a while to find a love for reading them himself).
Every week, he champions Creatives across the East of England on BBC Upload, a platform for authors, playwrights, film-makers and more.
He always wears shorts and once stole a KitKat Chunky from Ted Danson. Maybe.
Jules Pretty
Jules is Professor of Environment & Society at the University of Essex and Director of the Centre for Public and Policy Engagement. He is Chief Editor of the International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. He received an OBE for services to sustainable agriculture, an honorary degree from Ohio State University, and the British Science Association Presidential Medal. He is the host of podcast Louder Than Words and film shorts series Brighter Futures.
Philippa Stewart
Philippa is an artist, producer and educator who creates multidisciplinary works and projects engaging with ancient history, archaeology, heritage, and environment. As a Producer for Metal, Philippa is committed to supporting and advocating for the creative community, working with artists, nurturing collaborations and project partnerships throughout South Essex. Her experience extends to working with galleries, museums, libraries and charities in Essex and London. Philippa is a graduate of The Other MA (TOMA), a studio holder at The Old Waterworks and on the board of directors for The Blokhouse artist studios.
Lu Williams
Lu (they/them) is a queer, neurodivergent, working class artist who creates cross-disciplinary artworks, social practice, sculpture, print, video, and events. In 2015, they founded Grrrl Zine Fair, a platform for self-publishing and DIY art, music and culture surrounding feminist publishing. In 2017, Lu founded Grrrl Zine Library, which now holds 600+ queer and feminist zines at The Old Waterworks in Southend-on-Sea.
Photo of Lu and Poly by Eliza Hatch