Poetry and punk music will be coming to Brightlingsea’s Railway Tavern this Saturday (March 19) in a bumper event for the town’s WinterFest.

Legendary Essex-based poet, singer-songwriter and author Martin Newell, will be providing an afternoon of unique entertainment, supported by upcoming poet Leon Helsby,from 2pm to 4pm. From 9pm, local punk band EEEM, with support from See You Next Sunday, will take to the  stage.

Poet Martin Newell has been an enthusiastic supporter of WinterFest for several years and said he is looking forward to returning to the annual festival of music, arts and spoken word.

“I will be doing mainly poems and dodgy yarns and I might do the odd song or two as well,” said Martin, who describes himself as “one of England’s best-loved shipwrecks.”

Donations made during WinterFest will go to the WinterFest Wellbeing Fund which supports local people throughout the year. A proportion of the money will also go to the mental health charity, Mid and North East Essex Mind, and the Disasters Emergency Committee to help people in Ukraine.

For more details about WinterFest visit www.brightlingseawinterfest.co.uk or see the Facebook page @brightlingseawinterfest