The Last Freedom

A series of guided audio walks with ‘marshman’ Flavian Capes around the Essex marshes.

As a person with high functioning autism, Flavian uses walking and journeying to map his vast knowledge and relationship to the unique landscape around him. He leads us on an idiosyncratic walking guide, covering everything from hunter-gathering, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Kylie Minogue, boat building, birdsong, Popeye, Co-operatives, absinthe, jam, Red Hills, Romans, Samphire, mud walking, deer tracking, hawks, Polynesians, Bonsai, tides, pottery, salt and more.

Introduction (4.10 mins)
'Marshman' Flavian Capes introduces us to his home on the salt marshes in Tollesbury, Essex.

Episode 1. (59.34 mins)
'Marshman' Flavian Capes meets musician Frank Turner on a guided walk around the salt marshes in Tollesbury, Essex. 

Flavian is a self confessed ‘archeology nerd’, local historian, boat builder and wild living enthusiast and has lived on boats for 30 years. His vast knowledge encompasses his personal experiences of foraging local flora and fauna, the extraordinary tidal landscape and landmarks to the local myths, pre-history and traditions of the marshes.

Frank is a punk-folk singer songwriter who has released eight albums and toured worldwide. He is a self confessed ‘history nerd’ and has recently moved to the Essex coast.

Episode 2. Part 1. (58.25 mins)
A walk with ‘Marshman’ Flavian Capes and writer Tim Burrows, in the Tollesbury marshes.

Tim and Flavian walk along the sea wall in Tollesbury, discussing the darker side of the salt marsh history; from dumping things in the mud, to cannons, gunning punts, smuggling, nuclear power, a ship full of bombs, freezing winters, duck shooting, the Essex Ague, fear, wasteland, the MOD, cannibalism and housing developments…

Tim Burrows is a journalist and author who writes about culture and place. A recurring subject in his work is Essex and the Thames Estuary. He recently published a book The Invention of Essex.

Please be aware that a small part of this conversation contains references to cannibalism.

Episode 2. Part 2. (50.50 mins)
A walk with ‘Marshman’ Flavian Capes and writer Tim Burrows, in the Tollesbury marshes.

Tim and Flavian walk along the sea wall in Tollesbury to Shingle Point and back to his house boat, discussing Essex clichés, housing, birds, ancient monuments, tidal waves, flooding, roman pottery, landfill, sewage, village traditions, fishing, haircuts, mental health, altered states and the meaning of Essex…

Please be aware that part of this conversation contains references to suicide.

This project is supported by the Arts Council England.
Audio recorded and mixed by House of Noise.
Graphic design by work-form.
Project conceived by Tilly Shiner.
Thank you to Jo Barratt and Eleanor Von Browne for your help and advice.