Learning and recreation

One of the keys to enjoying a happy, healthy life is to keep active and that includes your brain. It is scientifically proven that your memory and cognitive functions are kept agile by keeping your brain active with puzzles, discussion groups or study for example. On this page you can find a range of activities that you can enjoy with family and friends. You can find out about reading groups, gardening projects, theatres, museums and learning opportunities.

Here are some ideas you might want to consider:
> research your family tree or local history
> try gardening, get an allotment through your local council, or join a gardening group
> many museums and art galleries are now free
> play bingo, visit your local cinema or theatre
> writers/artists and music appreciation groups
> author events or book discussion groups at bookshops or libraries
> entering competitions
> reading or listening to audio cassettes

Adult and community education

Adult community learning in Essex
U3A in Essex
Open University
WEA (Workers' Educational Association)

Allotments and gardening

Be Smart Be Safe in your garden fact sheet  
Both include contact details for possible grants, practical help from voluntary organisations, gardening tools for people with disabilities.

Generations Growing Together
The Generations Growing Together Toolkit has been developed by the Community Wellbeing Team, ECC. It aims to encourage an intergenerational approach to gardening. In doing this we endeavour to increase health, wellbeing, life chances and community volunteering.

Grow your own
This page from the Royal Horticultural Society gives advice on how to grow fruit and veg, and which jobs should be done around the garden in each particular month.

BTCV Carbon Army
Every day BTCV volunteers are in action, tackling the impact of climate change through tasks such as; planting trees to lock up carbon, managing water courses to reduce flood risks, growing food to cut CO2 emissions from food miles. On this page you can sign up and commit to reducing Carbon emissions, and volunteer to help.

Muck in 4 life
This website contains fun, healthy environmental free activities. From bird watching to bat spying, and from wildlife gardening to pond de-sludging, there is something for all ages to enjoy. You will learn new skills and make new friends.

Theatre

Basildon - Towngate Theatre
Brentwood - Brentwood Centre
Chelmsford - Civic and Cramphorn Theatres
Chelmsford - The Old Court Theatre
Colchester - Mercury Theatre
Halstead - Empire Theatre
Harlow - Harlow Playhouse
Southend - Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre
Tendring - Princes Theatre

Art

Art Guide
This a comprehensive Internet guide to the art collections of Great Britain and Ireland. Art Guide is organised by artist, by museum, and geographically

BBC Arts Walks
A series of free walking guides to nine UK cities to take you on a gentle stroll to an interesting range of galleries and artistic landmarks.

Chelmsford Camera Club
Here all levels of photography are catered for and beginners are made very welcome. Visitors are always welcome and can make 3 visits before deciding whether to join. Everyone pays a small entrance fee which includes refreshments in the interval.

Parks

Open spaces and parks in Essex
This page from Essex County Council provides information on country parks in Essex and events that are going on within the county at open spaces.

Libraries

Opening times for libraries in Essex

Mobile Library services
Home Library Service - for more information call : 0845 6037628

Booktalk groups  
These can be joined throughout the county.

The Essex Book Festival
Find out which authors are visiting which libraries this year.

The Essex Libraries e-newsletter  
This allows you to receive free news about new events and services in libraries via email.
  
Answers direct
A powerful knowledge management tool that allows you to access the resources and knowledge of Essex Libraries.
0845 6037628

Reading and Writing

Books, magazines and newspapers in accessible formats
If you are blind or visually impaired, this page from Direct.gov gives information on how you get hold of it books, magazines and newspapers in accessible formats. This includes Braille, large print and audio versions.

Bookbite is an exciting new project where you will find inspiration to write something from a letter to a story, ideas to polish up some old skills and information on where to find people who share your interest.
Bookbite website
Bookbite magazine

Daily Newspapers online
On this site there are links to many of the main UK newspapers, so you can catch up with the latest news on your computer.

Which book
This website gives readers an enjoyable and intuitive way to find books to match their mood. Once a book has been found there is a direct link to take you to your library service, so that you may borrow the item to read.

Local history and heritage
 
The Essex Record Office
They collect and preserve the written, oral and visual heritage of Essex. You can use the collections to research your family history, house history, community history and local geography.

Essex Heritage
Essex County Council maintains a record of all listed buildings and archaeological sites, and provides specialist advice. If you wish to find out more about  there are educational courses, publications, exhibitions and visits available. 

History Pin
On this site you can add photos to a global map to give people around the world a view into the history of a place. You can also add your story to a photo and search other locations and their photos.
 
Unlocking Essex's Past
This website provides information on Essex's past, the monuments within it and has a detailed history of each of the towns within Essex.

There are collections of local studies resources at most Essex libraries. These include many books about local towns and villages and aspects of the wider county. Lager libraries may also have local newspapers on microfilm, maps, census returns and illustrations relating to the local area.

Museums and galleries

Braintree District Museum
Brentwood Museum
Castlepoint Heritage Centre
Chelmsford Museums Service
Colchester Museums Service
Epping Forest District Museums
The Museum of Harlow
Maldon Museums and Heritage
Rochford Museums
Tendring Museums
Saffron Walden Museum