A Poet in Every Port with the mobile National Poetry Library

Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 June 2026

In partnership with Southbank Centre

We are working in partnership with Southbank Centre to welcome the mobile National Poetry Library to Chalkwell Hall as part of Essex Writers House 2026. Be prepared for a mini programme of weekend activity for all ages to enjoy, with the opportunity to contribute prose, poetry and words to the Mobile Poetry Library. Local artist and poet Maddi Crease will be helping us to celebrate Essex’s unique coastal stories.

Photo of Maddi Crease © Maddi Crease

Maddi Crease is a poet and artist and is currently a member of Southbank Centre’s New Poets Collective, representing Southend for A Poet in Every Port. She has received commission from BBC Sounds and Arts Council England Funding and is a recent Fine Art graduate of South Essex College.

A Poet in Every Port is a Southbank Centre initiative which aims to celebrate the UK’s diverse dialects and languages by telling the stories of our coastal communities and showing that poetry is for everyone. It marks Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary.

Part of Essex Writers House – A collaborative partnership between Metal and Essex Book Festival, 01 – 30 June 2026

Essex Writers House is a month-long programme hosted by Metal, based in Southend. Chalkwell Hall opens its doors through June as a creative hub, offering a range of events from talks, open advice sessions and workshops to collaborative workspaces for writers, story tellers and book lovers of all levels. Find out more at essexbookfestival.org.uk/event/essex-writers-house-2026/.