What’s the connection between Shakespeare and Numbers? A lot, as it turns out! Shakespeare grew up in a time when numbers were going through a revolution. His was the first generation in England to be taught about our modern “zero” digit – and he was fascinated by it. From astronomy to probability, music to multiplication, other new mathematical ideas were taking off too – and much of this was reflected in Shakespeare’s work.

In this fun, interactive talk Rob Eastaway explores the surprising and entertaining ways that maths and numbers crop up in Shakespeare’s plays. Find out how Tudors multiplied, why Shakespeare never ended a line with the word orange, and why dice-playing was a serious hazard for the unwary. With historical asides about games, optics, astronomy, music and magic, you might never think about maths or Shakespeare the same way again.

Suitable for age 10 – adult

Sunday 23rd June, 3.00 – 4.00pm

Venue: Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Braintree, Cressing, CM77 8PD

Tickets: Free, booking essential

Box Office: Ticket Tailor – buytickets.at/essexbookfestival

Much Ado About Numbers by Rob Eastaway

Order a copy of Much Ado About Numbers at bookshop.org

Rob is best known as the author of several bestselling popular maths books, including Why Do Buses Come in Threes? and Maths On the Back of an Envelope. He is a regular guest on the BBC Radio 4 programme More or Less, with Tim Harford.

Part of our Midsummer Madness Family Fun Day. Pack your picnic and make a beeline for what promises to be a magical day at Cressing Temple Barns. Free parking, free entry and lots of free activities. All welcome.

Essex Year of Numbers

Low numeracy skills can disadvantage people later in life and lead to problems such as debt, unemployment and even poor health. The Essex Year of Numbers is a countywide campaign that aims to inspire a love of learning, with a focus on numeracy. It is a year of exciting learning opportunities, fun events and initiatives aimed at children aged 0 to 18-years-old. The events aim to give every child’s maths skills a magic boost.

Parents can also access guidance and support through the programme to help build numbers and learning into homelife. Parents, caregivers and family members play a vital role in a child’s education. You can support children at home with homework and number-based learning.

For more information, visit www.essexyearofnumbers.co.uk.

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Therefore, this summer they will be hosting a series of free, family-friendly arts activities for the local community.

These will be happening every Saturday, from the 20th of July to the 31st of August at Wivenhoe Park. Different local artists have been invited to join them with a different activity each week.

This is a great opportunity for the local community to enjoy Wivenhoe Park whilst exploring their creativity.

Classes – every Saturday at 2.00 – 4.30pm

20th July 2pm – Tree Treasure Trail

Artist Elaine Tribley has created a new map of Wivenhoe Park, that leads us on a journey of discovery, taking in the parkland’s most beautiful trees. With challenges to overcome on the way, it’s a wonderful way to explore this hidden gem of a park.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/tree-treasure-trail-around-wivenhoe-park/

27th July, 2pm – Painting in the Park

Taking inspiration from John Constable painting ‘Wivenhoe Park’ (1816), we’re going to walk in Constable’s footsteps and create our own mini masterpieces – with the support of Suffolk based artist Claudia Bose to show us how.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/painting-in-the-park/

3rd August, 2pm – Instant (Almost!) Cyanotype Photography

Come along and join us creating instant (almost!) photographs of plants and flowers foraged in the beautiful Wivenhoe Park.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/instant-almost-cyanotype-photography-with-jack-miller-briggs-miller/

10th August, 2pm – Foraging in Wivenhoe Park

Join Lora Aziz – wildcrafter, artist and author – for a foraging walk around Wivenhoe Park, followed by arts activities back at Art Exchange.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/foraging-in-wivenhoe-park-with-lora-aziz/

17th August, 2pm – Walking with Wild Writer James Canton

James will take us on a tour of its trees, paths and glades, stopping to read from his books that take their inspiration from nature, such as his seminal ‘The Oak Papers’.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/walking-with-wild-writer-james-canton/

24th August, 2pm – Animal Crackers – Sculptures in the Park!

Join artists Clare Iles and Tom Armstrong creating your own sculptures out in Wivenhoe Park. Using everyday materials, make the animals that feature in John Constable’s 1816 painting of Wivenhoe Park, including his swans, birds and cows. But why stop there? Let’s take this further and invent a few of our own!
artexchange.org.uk/classes/animal-crackers-sculptures-in-the-park/

31st August, 2pm – Circus Skills Out in the Park

With our fully trained circus skills leaders to show you how, try your hand at juggling, diablos, spinning plates – and many more. We’re excited to be working with the Grand Theatre of Lemmings who have over 10 years’ experience of honing their circus skills to share with us.
artexchange.org.uk/classes/circus-skills-out-in-the-park/

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The Book Project is a multi-facetted project to mark our 25th Edition.

Artist/Writer/Illustrator Michael Young will be leading workshops in 8 lucky primary schools across the county to create a giant concertina book to be exhibited at Cressing Temple Barns on 23rd June as part of our Midsummer Madness Day.

Primary Schools can register to take part by completing this short form:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YB6KVZ3

We are also creating our own festival ink out of oak gall gathered from 25 destinations across Essex; creating a People’s Festival Charter fit for the next 25 years with the help of artist/writer/calligrapher Lora Aziz and Special Collections and Archive team University of Essex, and much more.

All will be revealed when our programme goes live on April 4th. In the meantime, here’s a flavour of things to come …

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