Estuary Festival recently hosted an immersive workshop for a group of Castle Point creatives along Benfleet Creek's intertidal zone. The workshop was led by artist and researcher Gerolamo Gnecchi, with support from artists Graham Harwood and Martin Detoeuf. During the workshop, participants took part in a mud walk.

The walk began at the Benfleet Yacht Club and continued till Booth Pier. Established in 1922 on the northern bank of Benfleet Creek, near the railway line and Benfleet Station, the yacht club was founded by locals with a shared interest in yachting. Booth Pier, named after the founder of the Salvation Army who resided in South Benfleet, served as a crucial point for trade, industry, and empire. Today the site holds remnants of London's waste from the 19th century, including glass and clay pipes, as well as ceramics and other debris.

The focus of this workshop was to immerse people by physically experiencing the estuary's slippery, soft, and unsettled grounds. Collectively and in collaboration participants engaged with the estuary’s stretch of mud and water, exploring the historical and ecological significance of this ever-changing environment. A sensorial and embodied experience, the walk encouraged awareness of the estuary’s diverse flora and fauna and the ambiguous interplay between planetary forces, nature, and human elements.

People were asked what the estuary could teach us about coexisting and living in the estuary today. Various activities encouraged participants to pay attention, listen, and – when the muds allowed – pause to reflect on their relationship with the surrounding environment. This walk aimed to explore what it means to rekindle a sense of belonging and care for the estuary.

Thank you to Gero, Graham, and Martin, as well as all the people who participated in the mudwalk. Thank you also to Benfleet Yacht Club for allowing people to use its facilities.

More workshops along the intertidal zone to come!