Celebrating 100 years of radio broadcast

In May 1922, the world's first radio station started in Writtle. Called 2MT ("Two Emma Toc"), this humble – and somewhat experimental – enterprise operating from a small hut ultimately became the BBC as we know it today.

Marconi Company engineers sat in the snug of the old Cock and Bell Inn – now the site of Pakwaan Indian Punjabi Cuisine, Writtle – and planned the first ever scheduled radio broadcasts in the form of concerts to be aired by 2MT. The success of this station, under Captain Peter Eckersley, led directly to the start of the BBC.

Exactly 100 years later, Heritage Writtle put on a season of celebrations for this significant milestone in our history, including a parade, history walks, talks, and a weekend of family activities and exhibitions. As well as presenting at the weekend festivities, CSES held its annual dinner at Pakwaan on 23 May, where an excellent meal and evening was had by all. Guests were also treated to an exclusive walking tour of the significant sites by Tim Wander and Alan Pamphilon.

Tim also presented a commemorative display to the restaurant to record and celebrate the significant history of their premises; you can read more about the story on our website.

We intend to return to our social programme in the 2022/2023 season, with meet-ups on Thursday 13 October and Thursday 15 December.

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Volunteers sought for summer 2022 exhibition

Chelmsford Innovation: Marconi and Beyond

When: Wednesday 22 June 2022 – Friday 15 July (see specific dates below)

Where: Marconi Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ

Hours: 11:00 to 16:00 on each day the exhibition is open

This special exhibition will showcase artefacts of scientific and technological innovation from the last 100 years. This is not just about the past – there will also be forward looking displays sponsored by Leonardo and Teledyne e2v. Today, companies in Chelmsford continue to build the technology of the future, with high-tech developments in fields as diverse as space, medicine, communications, and defence. The impact of industry in Chelmsford on all of our lives is incredible. This exhibition will tell at least a part of that story, revealing how household names such as Marconi are echoed in the modern age.

The Chelmsford Civic Society (CCS) is looking for help on each of the days listed below. Your main duty will be to act as an exhibition ambassador and assist visitors with basis information about the content and location of the various exhibits. You may also be asked to assist with specific exhibits should the need arise (information will be provided).

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CSES Spring 2022 Programme: Talks, dinner and new book

We know that many of our members would like to know when we will be returning to 'in-person' activities. The short answer is: now.

We are delighted to announce three talks (one accompanied by a new book!) and our 2022 annual dinner, all coming up in the next few weeks.

We have several school and family activities planned for summer and then intend to return to a full programme in the autumn (restrictions permitting). Read on for more details...

Wednesday 11 May: The 2023 World Solar Challenge

An exciting free evening talk, to be held at Anglia Ruskin University, with the Cambridge University Eco-Racing Team. Book now via our website.

Tuesday 17 May: The Centenary of British Radio Broadcasting

An illustrated lecture by Tim Wander to be held in Writtle, celebrating 100 years since radio broadcasting first began there. Book now via Eventbrite.

Accompanied by a new, limited edition book – only 300 copies – published in in the centenary year of the 2MT radio station (and the BBC!). Each book signed and numbered by the author – 208 Pages Full Colour A4.

With many new, previously published and colourised photographs (see full article for example).

The complete story of Britain's first regular scheduled radio station that changed the world.

Visit 2mtwrittle100.co.uk to order your copy.

Monday 23 May: The Centenary CSES Curry Evening

Our annual dinner for 2022 takes the form of a celebratory curry at Pakwaan Indian Punjabi Cuisine in Writtle to mark the centenary of radio broadcasting. Book now via our website.

Wednesday 25 May: Soft Robotics

Also at Anglia Ruskin University. Book now via our website.

Looking forward to the summer, we will be holding the CSES TEXPO (formerly the Schools' Engineering and Technology Competition) and announcing the winners of our photographic competition. Both are open now – enter via our website.

We will also be holding a full weekend of fun experimental activities for all the family (Do and Discover) as part of the Chelmsford Festival in June.

Assuming all remains well with Covid restrictions, we expect to return to a full calendar of talks and regular socials in the autumn. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Big Bang 2022 deadline extended

The deadline for entries to the 2022 Big Bang Competition has been extended until 5pm on Monday 4 April, so there is still time to get your entries in!

The CSES TEXPO 2022 is also open for entries until Friday 10 June.

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Chelmsford Innovation: Marconi and Beyond

A special exhibition showcasing innovation from the last 100 years to the present day

Chelmsford has been a world-renowned centre of scientific and technological innovation for well over 100 years, and still is today. Among other things, Chelmsford is home to the world's first wireless (later radio) factory, the world's first river water treatment plant and the world's first colour digital camera – and that's just from within the last century. Today, companies in Chelmsford continue to build the technology of the future, with high-tech developments in fields as diverse as space, medicine, communications and defence. The impact of industry in Chelmsford on all of our lives is incredible.

A collaboration between ARU, CSES, Chelmsford Civic Society and the Marconi Veterans' Association, this exhibition will tell a part of that story, revealing how household names such as Marconi are echoed in the modern age. It will take place in ARU's Marconi building, which was opened by Princess Elettra Marconi Giovanelli, the daughter of Guglielmo Marconi, in 2010, on ARU's Chelmsford campus.

The exhibition will open on Wednesday, 22 June and will run on specific days until Friday, 15 July. Attendees need to book their place – more information and full details of times can be found at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chelmsford-innovation-marconi-and-beyond-tickets-324804377637.

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My Smarter Essex goes on tour

TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Yubo, are words that parents may or may not have heard of. As adults when we think about the internet we may think of funny cat videos, shopping online or sharing photos of our dinner on Facebook, but the digital world that our children are left to wander through alone every day can be very different indeed. Recent studies by OFSTED have shown that our young people can be exposed to shocking material online. Students in both primary and secondary schools said that they or someone they know had experienced online sexual abuse or harassment, with nearly 90% of female students saying that they had received unsolicited 'nudes'.

Do you really know what is going on in your child's smartphone?

On Thursday 21 April 2022, Passmores Academy invited the Harlow Community for an evening of quizzes, talks and an exhibition to answer the question: "The Internet – what's really going on?". Following the CSES My Smarter Essex format and jointly delivered by the school, CSES, The STEM Hub and Essex County Council (ECC), this fun, interactive and informative event explored and explained the trust and safety risks and pitfalls, as well as the benefits and opportunities that come from using the Internet, to both primary and secondary students and their parents. An exhibition by local employers from across the STEAM spectrum accompanied the main talks, with catering and childcare provided for all attendees.

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CSES Curry Evening to celebrate 2MT/BBC Centenary

Monday 23 May 2022, Pakwaan Indian Punjabi Cuisine, Writtle

Click here to book your place(s).

Members and guests are invited to join us to celebrate 100 years since radio broadcasting first began in Writtle.

Did you know that the world's first radio station started in Writtle in 1922? Called 2MT ("Two Emma Toc"), this humble – and somewhat experimental – enterprise operating from a small hut ultimately became the BBC as we know it today.

Exactly 100 years ago, Marconi Company engineers sat in the snug of the old Cock and Bell Inn – now the site of the Pakwaan – and planned the first ever scheduled radio broadcasts in the form of concerts to be aired by 2MT. The success of this station, under Captain Peter Eckersley, led directly to the start of the BBC.

We invite you to join us for a special one-off evening to celebrate this significant milestone. Like those Marconi engineers 100 years ago, this is an opportunity to eat, drink, and maybe even change the world...

5pm – History Walk of significant Writtle sites with historians Alan Pamphilon and Tim Wander (meet in the restaurant car park)

7pm – Dinner followed by speech and presentation of commemorative plaque

Click here to see the menu – 1920s dress encouraged!

The restaurant is all ours for the evening with an excellent set menu with all the trimmings to choose from. The after-dinner speaker will be Writtle 2MT and Marconi historian Tim Wander, and a plaque will be presented to the restaurant owners.

Spaces are limited and must be pre-booked by Monday 16 May. Click here to book.

We look forward to seeing you there! Read on for a little more of the story...

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Joint STEM Networking Event

On Thursday 31 March 2022, CSES, The STEM Hub and ARU held a fun and successful networking session for STEM Ambassadors, teachers and school students.

Attendees were treated to entertaining tours of ARU's cutting-edge facilities – including the SuperLab, engineering workshops and clinical simulation suites – and a presentation by the Passmores Academy team on their Fresh Air, Fresh Thinking project work. There were careers sessions for the secondary students, hands-on activities for the primary students and a workshop on communicating STEM for the Ambassadors. A networking reception for all participants was well-received after two years of lockdowns and isolation!

STEM networking events are typically held once or twice a year; this was the first one post-Covid and the first of similar events that CSES intends to run, with its partners, in the future.

Our thanks to Peter Sutton (The STEM Hub); Fatima Bibi, Binh Le, Dr Maryam Imani and Prof Laurie Butler (ARU); and Jainna Bhalla and Lily Caskey (Leonardo) for their support and contributions to the event.

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