Chelmsford celebrates women in sport

Chelmsford City Council has partnered with Essex Cultural Diversity Project and Essex Cricket to spotlight women in sport with a series of free public events and a celebratory mural.

Two events will take place under the new mural in Market Square on Saturday 23 May, with a third event to be held in Tindal Square on Thursday 28 May, ahead of the women’s T20 International Cricket game between India and England.

Get creative with the mural’s artist, 7th Pencil

As part of Chelmsford’s street art festival, Concrete Canvas, street artist 7th Pencil created an impactful large-scale mural in Market Square. The piece, commissioned by Chelmsford City Council in partnership with Essex Cricket, is a vibrant celebration of women in sport, capturing the energy, diversity and achievement of women athletes from across Essex. 

On Saturday 23 May, 7th Pencil (aka Mel) is leading drop-in workshops for young people to create their own wearable art from sashes, rosettes and banners. From Wall to Wearable Art! is taking place in Market Square, which means participants can draw inspiration from Mel’s mural. All materials will be provided, and you’ll leave not only with your own work of wearable art but feeling empowered and inspired!

The workshops are open to everyone. No need to book, just drop in between noon and 3.45pm on Saturday 23 May.

The Art of Breaking Barriers: In conversation with Anne Wafula Strike MBE

Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike MBE is one of the athletes featured in Market Square’s new mural. On Saturday 23 May she will be in the square speaking about her life to Claire Gevaux, CEO of Culture Chelmsford. Anne will share her incredible tale of resilience and courage, and the power of sport to cross every kind of boundary. 

As well as being an accomplished Paralympian, Anne is a public speaker, inclusion campaigner and author. The conversation is bound to be a fascinating one, so make sure you’re in Market Square from 4.15-5.15pm to listen in.

This event is part of Essex Cultural Diversity Project’s Stand Up for Diversity programme, a series of events that brings together those who champion diversity in the arts and in our communities.

T20 International Cricket matchday celebrations

On Thursday 28 May, Chelmsford’s Ambassador Cruise Line Ground will host a Women’s International T20 cricket match: England vs India. To welcome the T20 teams and celebrate women in sport, Chelmsford City Council, Essex Cultural Diversity Project and Essex Cricket are hosting an afternoon of pre-match celebrations in Tindal Square.

From 1-4.30pm, everyone is invited to enjoy cricket-themed games and live acts and music. Then, from 4.30pm a Global Village procession will make its way through the city, from Shire Hall to the cricket ground, ahead of the match at 6.30pm.

Everyone – whether you’re lucky enough to have tickets to the match or not – is welcome to join the procession as a mark of welcome to the India Women team and a broader celebration of sportswomen across the world.

More information

You can find more information about each of the events below:

Celebrating Women in Sport: From Wall to Wearable Art!

The Art of Breaking Barriers: Anne Wafula Strike MBE

Global Village Chelmsford: Matchday Celebrations