27 May, 2026
News & Articles

Chelmsford celebrates women in sport

7th Pencil’s mural in Market Square.

Chelmsford City Council has partnered with Essex Cultural Diversity Project and Essex Cricket to spotlight women in sport with a series of free public events and a celebratory mural.

Two events took place under the new mural in Market Square on Saturday 23 May, with a third event to be held in Tindal Square on Thursday 28 May, ahead of the women’s T20 International Cricket game between India and England.

Get creative with the mural’s artist, 7th Pencil

As part of Chelmsford’s street art festival, Concrete Canvas, street artist 7th Pencil created an impactful large-scale mural in Market Square. The piece, commissioned by Chelmsford City Council in partnership with Essex Cricket and Chelmsford For You, is a vibrant celebration of women in sport, capturing the energy, diversity and achievement of women athletes from across Essex.

Street artist 7th Pencil will lead workshops in Market Square.

On Saturday 23 May, 7th Pencil (aka Mel) led drop-in workshops for young people to create their own wearable art, making oversized medals and banners. From Wall to Wearable Art! took place in Market Square, which meant participants could draw inspiration from Mel’s mural. All materials were provided, and you left not only with your own work of wearable art but feeling empowered and inspired!

The workshops were open to everyone.

The Art of Breaking Barriers with Anne Wafula Strike MBE

Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike MBE was one of the athletes featured in Market Square’s new mural. On Saturday 23 May she was in the square speaking about her life to Claire Gevaux, CEO of Culture Chelmsford. Anne shared her incredible tale of resilience and courage, and the power of sport to cross every kind of boundary.

Anne Wafula Strike MBE will be in conversation with Claire Gevaux.

As well as being an accomplished Paralympian, Anne is a public speaker, inclusion campaigner and author. The conversation was a fascinating one.

This event was part of Essex Cultural Diversity Project’s Stand Up for Diversity programme, a series of events that brings together those who champion diversity in the arts and in our communities.

T20 International Cricket matchday celebrations

On Thursday 28 May, Chelmsford’s Ambassador Cruise Line Ground will host a Women’s International T20 cricket match: England vs India. To welcome the T20 teams and celebrate women in sport, Chelmsford City Council, Essex Cultural Diversity Project and Essex Cricket are hosting an afternoon of pre-match celebrations in Tindal Square.

Following an afternoon of activities, a Global Village procession will make its way through the city.

From 1-4.30pm, everyone is invited to enjoy cricket-themed games and live acts and music. Then, from 4.30pm a Global Village procession will make its way through the city, from Shire Hall to the cricket ground, ahead of the match at 6.30pm.

Everyone – whether you’re lucky enough to have tickets to the match or not – is welcome to join the procession as a mark of welcome to the India Women team and a broader celebration of sportswomen across the world.