Jane's Walk 2026 Launch & Film: The Essex Ways (Dir. Thomas Winward)

Jane's Walk 2026 Launch & Film: The Essex Ways (2025, Dir. Thomas Winward), with Q&A

We are delighted to be able to celebrate the opening of our 2026 Jane's Walk Festival with a screening of this newly released film (recently sold out over two nights at the Mercury). The film follows the journeying of 'Man About Country', James Lawrence, on a 400km wander around the county of his birth, recounting the experiences and stories gathered along the way.

The film is also supported by a short, pre-recorded Q&A with James, filmed when we managed to track him down remotely on his continuing travels around the UK in support of this film. With this evening in mind, various local Jane’s Walkers put their questions directly to him...

The evening includes our annual toast to Jane’s Jacobs, the festival namesake, this year given by our guest speakers, Dorian and Sheila Kelly.

There is wonderful food (veggie chilli) from The Commons kitchen and a paying bar.

And finally a raffle (to be drawn at the conclusion if the festival) with great top prizes:

1. A year’s membership of Colchester Arts. Free entry for one person to almost all events (worth £179.88)

2. A year’s family membership of Beth Chatto Gardens: unlimited free entry to the gardens for a year for 2 adults and two children aged under 16 (worth £65)

3. A year’s membership of Colchester Film Society (at Firstsite)/. Free entry to all films for one lucky film buff.

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