2019 marks the 70^th anniversary of Basildon’s designation as a post-war British New Town. Writer and researcher Holly Firmin, in conversation with Shaun C. Badham of Bas Arts Index and Lu Williams of Grrrl Zine Fair, will discuss how we might go about producing alternative, ‘radical’ histories, art and archives about Basildon.

Holly Firmin is a writer, researcher and member of the Focal Point Gallery team. She has completed two dissertations on the history of Essex at the University of Cambridge, the most recent of which explored the history of Basildon Development Corporation between 1965 and 1986.

Shaun C. Badham is the founder of BasArtsIndex, a free online database for creative individuals, groups and organisations from, living, working in, or making work about the Basildon borough. His current project, PLOT, focuses on the pre-New Town Plotland communities.

Lu Williams is founder of the Grrrl Zine Fair, a zine fair which platforms the work of feminist creatives, and has been commissioned to produce a new place-based work in Basildon to mark its seventieth anniversary as a New Town.

This event is free and open to all, book your place here. The Beecroft Art Gallery has accessible toilet facilities and lift access to all floors. Please contact us with any specific access requirements.

This event will be followed by ‘Directions 01’, an evening of Basildon-related short films taking place at The Craft Shed in Basildon from 6pm. For more information click here.