Made In England

When history looks back on Essex's impact on English culture, it will show the county has had a wide-ranging influence on the arts over many centuries.

In terms of art, Essex has the privilege of sharing Constable Country with it's neighbours Suffolk.

Mistley was one of the place captured by Constable

John Constable's 19th century depictions of the Dedham Vale situated on the Essex/Suffolk border captured the beauty of villages such as Mistley and Dedham, making them famous worldwide.

In more modern times, Chelmsford-born artist Grayson Perry won the 2003 Turner Prize. The former King Edward VI Grammar School pupil is perhaps best known for his work with ceramics and admits that Chelmsford and it's environs have had a great influence on his work.

It could be argued that Essex's greatest contribution to the culture of England has been through music.

One of the county's most celebrated residents is Gustav Holst, who spent much of his life in the north Essex town of Thaxted.

'Thaxted' is one of Holsts most famous works

Best known as the composer of 'The Planets', Holst wrote a number of his works using the village church's organ.

Indeed, his tune for the popular hymn 'I Vow To Thee My Country' from Jupiter is known as 'Thaxted'.

Essex has also played it's part in shaping the history of popular music.

The Southend area has long had a thriving live music scene producing the likes of 'Procol Harum', 'Eddie and the Hotrods', 'Dr. Feelgood 'The Kurssaal Flyers' and more recently 'Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly'.

Basildon and proud - Alison Moyet

Basildon provided two of the biggest acts of the 1980s, with Alison Moyet (with Yazoo and as a solo artist) and Depeche Mode, whilst soul singer Sade grew up in Clacton and Colchester.

Colchester can confidently lay claim to two of the most significant and groundbreaking bands from the past fifteen years - for two very different reasons.

Britpop leading lights Blur formed in the home-town of drummer Dave Rowntree before going on to become one of the most popular bands of the 1990s, paving the way for countless bands to find success with their guitar-based 'indie' sound.

Hoping to follow in their footsteps are Koopa. The three-piece punk outfit made history in 2007 when they became the first ever unsigned band to break into the UK Top 40 charts.

Achieved through Internet downloads of their song 'Blag, Steal and Borrow', the three-piece followed this up with two more chart entries before being snapped up by Pied Piper Records.

They'll be hoping to follow in the footstep of one of the world's most commercially successful electronic bands - Braintree's very own The Prodigy.

Made in England

Made in England is a joint partnership between BBC English Regions and Arts Council England to bring audiences and artists together in unique collaborations to provide exciting new cultural experiences.

It is a project dedicated to exploring how England – the place and the people - is expressed through creative and artistic forms.

Think about the Lake District - dramatic and elegant, the lush greens and icy blues depicting an unspoilt England. William Wordsworth was so inspired by the landscape he wrote poems, sonnets and ballads dedicated to it.

Non-traditional art is just as important to recognise - graffiti on the streets, estates built in the Sixties, and even regional accents. Does this architecture, history and culture inspire you to think of all things English?

If you’re bursting with enthusiasm at the thought of creating something - why don’t you see how you can get involved? Visit the main Made in England site to find out how you can get your creative juices flowing.