The Kirby Riot
by Malcolm Batty
Thursday 11th December
5pm, Free

Local historian, Malcolm Batty, is giving a talk on the Agricultural Riots that took place in Kirby late in 1830. Through an interest in Local History and Genealogy, he had heard about the Swing Riots, the Tolpuddle Martyrs and how the agricultural labourers protested at the introduction of machines on farms; but it was his involvement in traditional Morris dance and the East Anglian tradition of Molly Dancing that concentrated his attention to the story of Kirby-le-Soken and its place in history. His research into the history of the farm workers of the area in the early 19th century was helped by a visit to Tasmania and speaking to their local historians. He hopes that you find it equally fascinating.”

Come along to The Nose at 5pm on Thursday 11th December 2025 and experience a PowerPoint presentation that brings to life the day when nearly 300 men marched through the village and destroyed farm machinery. The result was that on 11th December 1830, one thousand men rounded up some of the farm workers from the Tendring Hundred and after a trial at Chelmsford had them transported to the other side of the world.

One Work Gallery: Jane Lewis
From Wednesday 3rd December.
Wednesday 10th December, 2.30pm: Conversation about the work with artist Jane Lewis, Free.

We are excited to bring a new programme of artworks and talks by professional artists to The Nose, exhibiting in the ‘One Work Gallery’. Located above the fireplace in The Nose, this single work showcase encourages visitors to sit and contemplate an artwork over the duration of a month.

The artist is invited for an informal discussion to give people the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the work. The artworks are selected by artist Sue Bennett and are installed by technician James Barnard. The artworks are for sale.

Our first artist is Jane Lewis, an abstract painter living and working in Suffolk. She has been painting full-time since 1997, both in oils and watercolour. Her work is informed by the East Anglian landscape. 

Jane Lewis’s work will be on display from Wednesday 3rd December, and Jane will be joining us for a conversation about the work on Wednesday 10th December at 2.30pm. All welcome.

Creative Conversations
Friday 5th December
12pm-2pm, Free

When you're raising young kids, it can be tricky to make time to work on creative projects or bring ideas to life. At The Nose, parents meet up on the first Friday of the month to talk through their ideas, work on creative projects, or simply gain inspiration from others. Kids are welcome to join.

Smörgåsbord
Art exhibition of artworks by 25 artists
Opening Friday 28th November
6.30pm-8.30pm

Exhibition runs from Saturday 29th November until Saturday 20th December 2025.

Join us this Friday evening for the opening of our new exhibition Smörgåsbord. A group show of a variety of small works by 25 artists using drawing, painting, photography, sculpture and textiles. You are invited to come and see the work, and for some food and drinks. Snacks welcome. Art works are for sale.

Alec Dixon, Alice Cole, Aya Fukami, Catherine Griffin, Charlie Inskip, Deborah Stebbing, Dee Noble, Di Humphreys, Elin Bielecka, Eliza Johnson, Evie Jackson, Glenda Wakeman, Greg Lashmar, Ian Noble, James Barnard, Jane Ostler, Jane Stewart, Jennifer Lewandowski, Jimmy Symonds, Jo Marshall, Roger Crimlis, Sally Child, Samantha Listens, Selena Chandler, Shane Waltener, Sue Bennett, Suzi Lince.

Tendring Community Writers Group meeting
Saturday 6th December
4.30pm-6pm
Emma Kittle Pey 

An informal writing workshop session to take your moments of inspiration and see how they might develop. All writers welcome to attend this informal monthly writers group and we welcome new writers to attend.

Writer Taster Session
Saturday 13th December
2.30pm-3.30pm

Creative writing is about storytelling than writing, and we can all tell a story; we do it every day, whether we are recounting a day at work or what happened in the supermarket. Forget spelling, punctuation, grammar; this taster session is to give you confidence and freedom to be creative and write.  Led by Steve Gregory, this hour-long session is free and open to people wanting to start to write.

For more information, contact Steve Gregory: courses@firstworks.co.uk 

Open Folk
Next Meeting January 2025
1pm-3pm, Free

Ray and Amanda Smith & friends are hosting a monthly open folk session for acoustic musicians and singers on the 4th Thursday of the month from 1pm-3pm. Come and join in or sit and listen.