Creativity deserves to be challenged. In a world where we often perceive everything in black and white terms, creativity offers an exciting opportunity to challenge its purpose.

Witches are a common sight this time of year, casting spells with a cackle in spooky Halloween displays. But these seasonal cartoon hags are a far cry from the real ‘witches’ of Essex who form part of a much darker history in our county.

Each month, Nikki Wilson interviews an Ignite Member, asking five simple questions, to find out what creativity means to them, and how they see culture and creativity, and its potential, in Chelmsford.

"The only true voyage of discovery… would be not to visit strange lands but to possess other eyes.” (Proust, The Captive, 1923)

Have you ever seen that episode of Miranda where her mother can't say certain, shall we say, risqué words out loud and just mouths them silently, often picking the wrong words to censor? Well, the latest art exhibition here at Spread – a brand design studio come art gallery – has got us feeling a bit the same.

My name is Michelle and I’m a Radio Anorak.

I love to take on creative projects & these have included illustrating a poetry book, having pictures printed in a calendar, needle felting for Heritage Week, various competitions (happily with some success), Inktober, a piece of community art & using my artwork to raise funds for charity.

I’ve always been a creative person, and I feel silly saying that, because it implies there are people who aren’t creative, and I don’t believe that.

Each month, Nikki Wilson interviews an Ignite Member, asking five simple questions, to find out what creativity means to them, and how they see culture and creativity, and its potential, in Chelmsford. This month Nikki talks to Sarah Hammond.

I would say one of the most challenging parts of my job is being the wearer of many hats, yet of course that is what keeps the role exciting. If someone asks me what I do for a living, it is difficult to find a label and they are often puzzled when I can’t give them a two word job title. I usually go for ‘Community Artist’ and that seems to satisfy and intrigue people in equal measure.

Each month, Nikki Wilson interviews an Ignite Member, asking five simple questions, to find out what creativity means to them, and how they see culture and creativity, and its potential, in Chelmsford. This month Nikki talks to Sade Fadipe.

Way back in the mid 80's my secondary dance teacher invited my friends and I to go to the Blue Coat Chambers Art Gallery in the heart of Liverpool city centre to take part in a cross-arts project.

Whatever you think of it, STEAM is a label – the word we use to represent a concept – and there are plenty of unhelpful but widely-used labels around, so I’m not going to pick that particular fight. The STEAM movement is, in fact, something brilliant, and I’d like to talk a little about what it means and why it’s important.

For some time the Ignite Cultural Partnership has been aware of a growing desire and established need for a collaborative community creative space in Chelmsford’s City Centre.

Chelmsford Community Radio started in 2013 and we gained our FM license nearly 5 years ago. We are proud of the wonderful platform that has evolved over all this time and how it benefits local people of all ages. Hopefully many of you will have taken part in a show or project of ours already.

Chelmsford Community Radio started in 2013 and we gained our FM license nearly 5 years ago. We are proud of the wonderful platform that has evolved over all this time and how it benefits local people of all ages. Hopefully many of you will have taken part in a show or project of ours already.

Here are a few personal thoughts and reflections on that ‘difficult’ third Light Parade.

March’s Ignite meet-up was held at the newly renovated Essex Print Studio in Ingatestone.

In February's meet-up we listened to two wonderful speakers about the way their organisations can help to enhance an individuals lives.

The theme for January’s Ignite meetup was Games, Spaces and Community Places, which was hosted, appropriately, by local board game shop Counter Culture Games.