Wildlife photographer Meng was born in Macau, grew up in Hong Kong, now in Romford from 2006 working as a graphic designer. Hong Kong cinema, Jackie Chan, Drunken Master and dubbing voices in different countries. Jaiden is back in the house, bringing vibes and RAGGA JABA PUNCH to the studio. Meng’s incredible photo of green rose-ringed parakeets flying through a rainbow caught Nick’s eye at the Essex Photography Prize - taken in the tropical paradise of Romford. Meng ran to the park with three cameras, three tripods, and took over 200 photos to catch the exact magical moment. It was taken on a long lens which makes the image much closer to the birds in the distance, and makes the slice of the rainbow fill the image. Meng takes photos in the park while his kids play in the playground - and now he knows where the woodpeckers are, the rabbits, the parakeets - the whole ecosystem of Romford wildlife. Nick gets dreamy talking about baby bunnies. The best time for capturing wildlife is sunrise. Meng has run guided photography around his park to show other people how to appreciate and capture the wildlife. Macro lenses are used for super close up details, like Meng’s photo of a spider’s face. Parakeets are raver birds with their bright green feathers and loud calls! Shooting the super moon behind The Shard and St.Paul’s cathedral from Parliament Hill, London. You can use an app to find out the position of the moon, and then pick the perfect photo angle. How did Meng manage to capture the International Space Station crossing over the moon? You need a 600mm lens, a very sturdy tripod to stop movement from the wind, and find out the ISS locations from the internet. There is a lot of luck in taking a good photo. Meng started his photography journey in 2015 taking photos of his new baby son with a fix lens camera. After five years he upgraded to a DSLR camera. With a manual focus long lens, balancing composition and focus together is very hard. Learning all about cameras and photography from YouTube. Meng realised he had a talent for photography when National Geographic shortlisted one of his shots, and now he has won a lot of photography awards including Essex Wildlife Trust Photographer of the Year. Wildlife photography competitions often need to review raw photos now to check images aren’t AI. There was an exhibition in the park where Meng takes most of his photos and an accompanying book called ‘Out There’. The UK felt like slow motion after living in the hectic fast city of Hong Kong. If you want to start out in wildlife photography, experiment and try to copy good photos to learn technique, and then develop your own style.

Meng on Instagram

HUK Shooter website

HUK Shooter on Instragram

HUK Shooter on Facebook

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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A special episode about Nick’s epic Costa To Costa walk to raise £5000 for Chelmsford Foodbank. Disclaimer: Nick doesn’t know about coffee or bleaching beans or anything - Costa Coffee DO NOT bleach their beans, but it sounds funny. Nick visited 33 Costa Coffees in Chelmsford on foot! Nick walked 27.01 miles, which took 12 hours. Now some Costa To Costa artefacts are in The Museum of Chelmsford. Stuff from now is the old shit of the future. The beautiful handmade posters that supporters (Candy Joyce, Elaine Tribley, Jen Flint) made are in the museum. Community support, and people involved in it are legends. Should The Museum of Chelmsford have a mannequin of Costa Man? YES! Suzi Quattro’s bass in the museum. Peak Costafication. Chelmsford is the Costa Capital of the WORLD! Chelmsford now has 37 Costa Coffee outlets, 2 new ones since Nick visited 33 on 10/12/2025. Nick has a 2:2 Geography degree which helped with map planning. The dangers of drinking too much coffee early in the morning in a ski suit onesie. Costa Man was entirely powered by Costa drinks and food - bacon rolls, millionaire shortbread and choc chip cookies. Nick does not like coffee at all. What would an athlete do? Probably drink one water at least. How do Costa heat water up hotter than boiling to lava temperatures? Scolding hands with hot liquid. More blister than foot. Getting a square blister. Why donating money to foodbanks is very useful for them. Costa Coffee’s donation of 10 x £5 vouchers. Costa To Costa was the greatest adventure to ever happen in Chelmsford! But also it was a performance art critique on capitalism and the homogenisation of the high street. Nick doesn’t know coffee names or coffee culture. Costa should serve the finest Civet Cat coffee from civet cat poo. Costa staff were awesome all day! Sledging through the Costa drive thru on Eagle Way. How do you have these crazy ideas? NICK? The helpers’ high, and how doing good makes you feel good. How to donate to Foodbanks. Random encounters on the street. The Costa to Costa legacy: 1, make people think about the foodbank and why people use it. What do foodbanks need. Food poverty awareness. 2, make people think about consumerism and capitalism, and support independent shops.

Donate to Costa To Costa

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Podcasts, audio drama, recording, editing, mixing, Helen does it all! And is in the studio judging us! Helen’s voice is YouTube famous because she narrates a school sex education film - in the style Julie Andrews reads 50 Shades of Grey! Helen does amazing on-hold message voices and you have probably been told by her that your call is important to the company. Also the English voice of petrol pumps in Spain. Having a signature voice. What are VO (Voice Over) Sessions like? Is Artificial Intelligence for voice overs affecting the industry? Stock phrases and concatenation. Tom Baker, Toast of London and Irish sat nav voices. Helen’s professional voice journey started with Hospital Radio, Restricted License Radio Stations and then on local radio with live traffic reports (A LOSE MONKEY ON THE M4! SWANS ON THE M25!) - then onto continuity at Paramount Comedy Channel. Continuity is a live person to tell you what is happening, what’s next, and to be on standby if anything goes wrong. Helen got into production, setting up mics, writing scripts and recording audio. Helen started podcasting with Robin Ince in 2006 (OG!) establishing the ‘...Shambles’ brand. Setting up a home studio - starting with the downstairs toilet! Sound effects on The Archers - and complaints about cold water pouring for tea. Home recording with celebs during COVID. The origins of the aubergine emoji. AI can’t replicate niche Northern voices yet! The art of directing voice talent in a studio without bruising egos. The voice work market is currently very saturated with a lot of people going for the same work, and some of the work going to AI. But you can still get started by recording a demo reel at home. Voice acting for computer games. Working (and laughing) with Greg Davies on continuity for Paramount. Helen finds out she is a Webby Nominee. Mixing and editing dialogue. Monkey hangers! Making Rylan Clark cats-eyes for Chelmsford. Producing ‘The Menopause Monologues’ podcast. When is the best time of day to record a VO? 11am. Dolphin noises!

HQ Voice Website

HQ Voice on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Colombian visual artist and illustrator living in Essex, via Mexico and Suffolk, it’s a complicated story! She paints murals, creates digital illustrations, picture books and everything in between. Fine art and snobbery in art. Catalina blames her ADHD for ending up in Essex, she met an English man in Mexico who shared the same music taste (Josef K), and she decided to go on an adventure to Ipswich. Her experience in Ipswich ended up inspiring her artwork. It is hard to make a living from art in Colombia. In Mexico, Catalina funded her art and illustration studies by working in an advertising agency and also reviewing gigs. Catalina started getting freelance illustration commissions. And then onto bigger picture book commissions where she could be more experimental with styles. The difference between commercial and community mural projects. Window art - Big up Juliet Townsend and her amazing work! Catalina has two super powers - 1, being able to mix colours precisely. 2, being able to estimate measurements precisely like a Human Ruler. Is she a robot? Moving location, county, country means you have to start building a new network, and it can be tough. Finding your tribe. Looking for creative spaces locally. How is AI going to impact mural makers? Winter is brilliant for creative hibernation and getting loads of stuff done. Public art like murals and window art gives a sense of place against the commercial homogenisation of the high street. Catalina does some visual work for the fun Essex band Dingus Khan. She’s also been getting crowds going wild on the dancefloor by DJing Colombian music in Colchester. ADHD, hyperfocus and being prolific as an artist. Pro tip: Don’t wear dungarees on a tour with a band, the dive bar toilets are not suitable! Being inspired by emotions and nature. Mind blowing - Essex wildlife is very exotic to a Colombian - big up the foxes!

Catalina's website

Catalina on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Radio presenter for BBC Essex, event host and all round comedy man. A Romford boy gone Chelmsford. How do you say ‘Up and not crying’ in Icelandic? Sangita ACED her guess of what Rob does. Rob Jelly was born as Rob Jelly, it’s not a stage name! Rob hosts Nuclear Races in Kelvedon Hatch and gets the crowd pumped up for the event. He studied music tech at university and accidentally got into student radio. Student radio and hospital radio are great ways into the profession - put in the hours, practice and learn the craft. Talking about Sealand - the offshore platform on the coast of Essex. One of his first interviews was Essex rap, poetry, podcast legend Scroobius Pip. Don’t wait for permission to try something new, just go for it! Rob’s BBC show Upload tries to inspire people to be more creative in Essex. He gives a platform to creative people. Meeting other creatives is the best way to get creatively inspired. Unlocking creativity in people is massively rewarding. Talking about how the poet Ethan from Waxes Lyrical has thrived since joining a creative community. How to get people’s attention with a great email title - Shetland Pony Stuntman Backflip World Record. Faking creativity until you make it, in 4 days Rob went from zero to live video editing for the big screens at the o2 for Jingle Bell Ball. Writing wedding speeches in Japanese - Nick’s story - Japanese Borat. Rob tried to speak Danish once in an interview, which didn’t go well. ‘Slapped by Sandi Tokswig’ - this didn’t happen btw. The importance of finishing projects. Big up Will Ospreay! Rob is like the Essex Mr.Motivator getting the crowd hyped at Nuclear Races - in lycra at the top of a shipping container. He also writes comedy, poetry, stories - you can’t stop The Jelly. Reminiscing about former BBC Essex presenter Timbo who wore a foam elephant hat - Nick’s early comedy hero. Getting stuff stuck in bridges - the Chelmsford tradition. Swearing on the radio, not on Rob’s watch! Don’t worry about making mistakes or fluffing up lines, it’s going to happen, go with it. Tips for a great interview? In the history of bread, has more bread been fed to birds than has been turned to toast?

Rob on BBC Essex

Upload with Rob Jelly

Rob on Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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A man of many talents from ‘near Colchester’. Kip creates content around theme parks and technology, not both at the same time. Kip is proud of his honest reviews, he’s not ashamed to call out things that aren’t working. Creators have a responsibility where people will make decisions based on your content, so honesty is very important for respecting your audience. When Kip started there weren’t many theme park content creators, but now there are LOADS! Kip will go in as a normal punter and have an unbiased experience. Kip’s been blogging since 2008, which makes him an OG blogger. He was a ‘Daddy’ blogger, but has moved away from it now his children are older so they can have their own voice. Random fact - His number one blog ever was a review of Just For Men Control GX Shampoo. Can you trust influencers? Being offered nipple cream and incontinence pads as a parent blogger. Kip was on Gadget Man with Richard Ayoade reviewing self-folding buggies in Clissold Park, London. To create content you need to learn to write scripts, present, edit, camera man, social media coordination, PR, advertising - it’s constant and it’s hard work. Where can you learn all of these skills? Kip learned as he went. Kip never scripts his content, but has a good feel for what he wants to talk about, and then can always fix it with some edit magic. Committing and developing as you go along will see your skills grow. Making content that pleases the secret algorithms on social media platforms. Testing and optimising social media content. Turning your content side hustle into your main job. We love Meta Glasses! Making money from affiliate sales. Nick talks about going underwater at Loch Ness in a robot dolphin (true story). Big up Adventure Island in Southend. Nick declares Axis to be the greatest ride in Essex. Big up Pleasurewood Hills. Kip LOVES 13 at Alton Towers - the theming and experience is great and especially because it has an element of surprise - and that’s what makes a top tier ride. Talking about the very relaxing for autistic people Planet Coaster 2 computer game. Excitement about Universal Studios UK (near Essex). Is Woody Bear doing a Michael Jackson? Nick talks about hitting his head on the Zip World Mittal Orbit slide in Stratford. The podcast goes a bit crazy with Sangita’s new ride suggestion Euthanasia.

Kip on Insta

Kip on YouTube

Kip on TikTok

Kip's website

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

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Thanks to NGDA for their support

Lord Shiva is in the building! Paul from the band Pieces has amazing arm tattoos for all of his passions. Born and raised in Chelmsford. Now he writes and sings for his British Indian punk band Pieces. They write songs about politics, race, the state of the nation. Paul decided to become more active and pokey with his lyrics - to not ignore what’s going on. 2025 has been a vintage year for political music with Kneecap, Bob Vylan, The Mary Wallopers, Mudrat, and Hyphen. Paul’s grandparents are from Guyana, they came to Essex in the Windrush generation, his Mum was born here, met a Welshman, and had a baby (Paul!). A lesson on indentured labour on sugar plantations. Talking about British Indian punk and rebellious music, Fun-Da-Mental, Asian Dub Foundation, Voodoo Queens. Dealing with racism and wanting to fit in by hiding your roots. Sangita reveals her secret identity. Dealing with the ‘Where are you really from?’ question. The recent rise of overt racism in the UK. Music and the music scene has given Paul the courage to be himself. Getting booked for Meff Fest. The trials of being in a band when you have adult responsibilities. Performing music as therapy, blocking out all your worries. Finding time and places to rehearse. Supporting Native James and Professor Green and getting a mosh pit going - someone lost their wedding ring. The importance of playing local grass roots venues when you are big. Big up Professor Green for coming through to play Hot Box! Ticking off your musical dreams. Taking kids to live music. Paul is manifesting playing at 2000 Trees festival. Paul talks about his sobriety journey - and has been in recovery for over 9 years - big up yaself mate! It’s a cheat code for life. The links between drugs and creative productivity and inspiration, is it a myth (Nick thinks so)? How drunk is too drunk to do a gig? Playing edgy music as an older person, and putting yourself out there. Helping others to recover.

Pieces on Insta
Pieces on YouTube

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Thanks to NGDA for their support

The Face of Chelmsford. The future mayor of the City. The future of creativity (FULL STOP). Rebecca described herself as multi-passionate when it comes to creativity. She hosts women’s circles - a safe space for people to turn up authentically and connect. She is part of Make Space for Girls - a project for creating specific spaces for girls to feel safe and belong - architecture for girls and women. Rebecca is a self taught creative. She wasn’t encouraged creatively at school, and left to get on with things herself, so had to discover her own outlets for her ideas. What was it like being the first generation growing up with phones in school. The ultimate distraction, changing how you communicate, and disconnect. Creativity can come from boredom, but with so much content and information to consume now, it’s hard to see any time as downtime. Removing outside influences to focus on purity of creative output. Rebecca’s theory about writing by hand leading to more creative satisfaction - it’s human nature. Nick does a bad Peppa Pig Oasis joke. Musical notation for non-musicians - vibe notation (with Matt Ashdown). Big up the teachers that spot creativity and encourage it. Rebecca has been commissioned by Chelmsford City Council to write a poem for a video piece about the city of Chelmsford. How to balance paid commissions with artistic freedom. Revisiting your work after some reflection time - when your ego can detach from the work. The selection process for the poetry commission, and first live performance as a poet. Rebecca learned to perform at a poetry rap workshop with some mentors and performed 6-months pregnant. Chelmsford fuchsia will be the colour of the year. Fun times making a video around the city for the poem. What rhymes with Chelmsford? Marconi’s equinox eclipse portal - is it in the Museum? Bringing together all the creative disciplines of a city to work together. What is a multipassionate multipotentialite - someone that doesn’t need to commit to just one thing creatively. Having different disciplines and projects keeps your creative mind sharp. Trying to remember poems to perform without a book or phone. Getting into freestyle rap. REBECCA IS THE CREATIVE FUTURE!

In Tune With Rebecca - IG

In Tune With Rebecca - Web

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos

Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA for their support