Jane Watson and Hilary Lazell: Summer Exhibition

From the beginning of August 2014 right through till autumn, Jane Watson will be exhibiting her paintings in the Ticket Hall and in the Crab and Winkle Gallery on Platform One .

Jane is a self taught artist.  She likes to paint boldly with bright colours in oil or acrylic and has produced a collection of colourful paintings of various subject matters. Jane says “there is a passion within my soul that drives me to experiment with colour primarily and with different shapes and ideas”.  Her inspiration comes from nature and particularly the changing landscape around the river with the rise and fall of the tide.  Jane also produces a range of colourful greetings cards.

You can see more of Jane’s work on her website www.janewatsonart.com, and in the 'Art's section of this site.


Wivenhoe artist Hilary Lazell will be contributing a beautiful new illustrated poetry poster “Leaves Down the Line” on Platform 1. Hilary has been scribbling away with pens, pencils, ink and paper for most of her life.  The combination of words and pictures is fundamental to all her work and this poster is no exception.  “Leaves Down the Line” illustrates lines by poet Martin Newell.

The images with poetry are available as A1 posters and a very nifty little advent calendar in a jewel case. Ideal presents. Contact Hilary Lazell:  hilarylazell@hotmail.com 

Wild About Wivenhoe

From April 25th to May 18th, there will be a range of  special wildlife events in Wivenhoe. Off the Rails is joining in!

We are offering a nature-themed edition of Words Down the Line (free as usual in the Ticket Hall ); an exhibition of wildlife photography & poetry (on the platforms), and opening the newly-planted Station Garden on May 18th. To celebrate the opening, there will be special artwork in the garden and kids' activities and goodies.

Please come and visit us at Wivenhoe Station on the 18th from11am till 4pm. We would love to show you around.

Telling Stories

January to April 2014

The 'Telling Stories'  exhibition is an enchanting collection from three Wivenhoe illustrators of stories: Hilary Lazell, Charmaine McKissock, and Alison Stockmarr.

The main exhibitor is Wivenhoe artist Hilary Lazell. Hilary has been scribbling away with pens, pencils, ink and paper for most of her life.  The combination of words and pictures is fundamental to all her work and this exhibition is no exception.  “An Essex Calendar” on platform 1 Illustrates twelve verses, originally created from a poem written by Martin Newell.

Charmaine McKissock and Alison Stockmarr both contribute quirky illustrations previously published alongside children's stories. 

There is a story within every picture in this charming and thought-provoking exhibition.  So just stop for a little while and let the imagination do the rest...

Winter 2013 edition of Words Down the Line

Our winter warmer edition is ready for you to collect at Wivenhoe Station or look at in our 'Words Down the Line' section. There is a wry comment on 'the Christmas jumper' from Hazel Humphries.  Candyce Lange, Gloria Lloyd and Melissa Hursthouse contribute three beautiful poems of yearning. 

Here's a little more about the contributors:
Hazel Humphreys has lived in Wivenhoe for two decades and after studying philosophy and a Masters in Film Studies at Essex University and has run the town's comedy club for the last six years. An ex-pat Scouser, Hazel loves the comforting flow of both nature and language in semi-rural Essex.

Melissa Hursthouse, painter, writer, lover of all creatures great and small, writes for the sheer love of language and all that it can do.  Having previously lived in Wivenhoe, she returned 5 years ago from London after pining for the lovely 'country life'.     

Candyce Lange has been writing poetry (and fiction) since high school in Minnesota. Moved to England in 73, and now Clacton-based. A regular visitor to PoetryWivenhoe.

Gloria Lloyd is an International Organisational Development Consultant. Inspired to write prolifically after an experience whilst visiting Monet’s garden in Giverney, she has since written over 2000 poems.  Married to David, they have one Son Matthew and spend many happy hours in their holiday home in St Osyth.

The leaflet has been designed  by Charmaine McKissock.

Station Garden as Winter approaches...

Nadia, the Station Garden Volunteer, writes:
'I have really enjoyed working in the Station Garden over the last 6 months, under the close guidance of Jean Routledge. Despite the recent strong winds the garden is still looking good. At our last session we planted some raspberry canes and removed some of the wild strawberries to make space to plant onions and garlic. The roots were tough to dig up, so it was really satisfying once they were finally out!  I am looking forward to seeing how the garden develops over the colder months, and would encourage anyone wishing to get involved to get in touch as its a really lovely patch to work on. I am completely new to gardening so can honestly say that working in the Station Garden has been a great introduction, especially as I don't have a garden where I live.'

Here is a link to Transition Town Wivenhoe which is part of the global Transition Towns movement - finding ways to live a more connected, healthier, happier, sustainable and low carbon way of life! Wivenhoe is a town of around 10,000 people on the River Colne in north Essex, England.
http://transitionwivenhoe.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/station-garden-update-nov-2013.html

“Underground Maps Unleashed”

We are excited to present our November & December 2013 Exhibition:  “Underground Maps Unleashed” by Wivenhoe residents Maxwell Roberts & Liz Newton.

About The Exhibition: Maxwell Roberts has designed and tested numerous experimental rule-breaking maps: these have charmed or infuriated people worldwide! Some of his maps have been shown to be easier to use than official designs. Maxwell's work has been exhibited in the Colchester Minories gallery, London, Germany, and USA.


This exhibition is particularly exciting, as it’s the first time these designs have been shown in their natural habitat, on a railway station. Liz Newton contributed the embroidery in the Ticket Hall.

About Maxwell Roberts & Liz Newton
Maxwell Roberts lives in Wivenhoe with partner Liz Newton. He is a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Essex. He has researched into intelligence and reasoning, but in 1999 designed his first Underground map, and the two halves of his life (maps and psychology) gradually merged. He has published two books on map design, "Underground maps After Beck" (2005) and "Underground Maps Unravelled" (2012).

Liz Newton, originally from Devon, obtained a degree and PhD at the University of Essex and is currently a lecturer in psychology at London South Bank University. She embroidered her first Underground map for the cover of the book "Underground Maps Unravelled", the second version is on display. Now, she is looking forward to knitting jumpers with art deco patterns.

Please visit our Art Section to see more about the pieces exhibited.

You will also find there contact details for Maxwell Roberts.

Autumn exhibition celebrates first ever Wiv Words Festival

A wonderful Autumn exhibition, celebrating Wivenhoe's first Literary Festival, WivWords, on the 12th and 13th October 2013.

  Exhibits include:

• Poetry by Jo Gould, illustrated by C. McKissock
• Poster for Wiv Words Festival presenting ‘Paperformance’
• The latest work of Wivenhoe artist Alison Stockmarr
• Posters of ‘London and Wivenhoe scenes’ by Miles Black, aged 6