Spoke'n'Word 07

Following the success of Spoke'n'Word 2006 Insite in partnership with Martin Newell presented a new expanded programme in the summer of 2007. The programme included walks and cycle rides through the beautiful Essex countryside with poet Martin Newell and visual artist Charlotte Bernays as tour guides.

The original Colne Valley route was presented together with two new exciting options: a four mile walk from Thorrington Tide Mill to Wivenhoe Town and a twelve mile ride to Bentley Green. A total of twenty tours took place over ten weekends from the end of April to the beginning of July 2007. 

'Spoke'n'Word was a unique experience, friendly and inclusive, the poems made one think about the landscape and the history of Essex' - Member of the public

Coming out of the Spoke'n'Word project, there was also an exhibition by Charlotte Bernays titled 'Violent Sweeps and Tiny Tremors', an installation of sculpture which took the flight of birds as its subject referencing both the rural and industrial landscape. At the end of the project, a CD containing Martin's poems read by the poet himself was also produced.

You can click here to listen to Martin Newell's interview with Jack Thurston at The Bike Show broadcasted on Resonance 104 FM, where Kieron Yates rided around Essex with the poet.

For information about Spoke’n’Word tours currently taking place contact Martin Newell through his website. 

Spoke'n'Word 2007 was supported by TyreMark, UK Country Cycling Tours.

Click here to download the evaluation report for this project (994Kb).

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This unique partnership ran from 2005 to 2007, delivering a total of ten cultural tourism projects that promoted Essex and empowered people to celebrate their unique identity.