To listen again click here:
[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Feelgood-Saturday-02-03-13-Essex-girls.mp3|titles=Feelgood Saturday 02 03 13 Essex girls]The Essex Book Festival is in full swing, and as part of this a debate taking place next week in Brentwood asks the question “What Next for Essex? From Essex Man to TOWIE – and beyond”. It’s being held at the Ursuline Convent High School in Queen’s Road, with some of the school’s students being involved, and to set the scene I was joined this morning by Amy, Bethany and Ruby from the school to talk about perceptions of being Essex girls. Despite all being born and bred in the county there wasn’t a stiletto or a trace of orange spray tan to be seen, which the girls said often surprises people they meet outside the county, including someone on a school trip to Iceland who was amazed that girls from Essex could be taking A Levels in “proper subjects”! We all agreed that whilst some people undoubtedly do fit the stereotypical Essex girl image, people should be judged for who they are as individuals and by and large the national perception is grossly unfair. We also gave a majority thumbs down to TOWIE!
Next Friday’s debate starts at 7pm and will be chaired by local publisher Malcolm Burgess. Taking part will be novelist Martina Cole, the Daily Mail’s Simon Heffer, Essex headteacher Vic Goddard, Brentwood Gazette editor Neville Wilson and researcher on place and social class in Essex, James Scott. Full details can be found on the website.