Pippa Moss

Trained at Bristol Old Vic theatre school, Pippa describes herself as a working class Essex actress. Photographed outside the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff-on-Sea, where she once did work experience. She also worked at the local Odeon cinema, practicing her lines in front of the screen whilst picking up litter. She is specially trained for combat scenes such as sword fighting and martial arts - hence the pose in the portrait. “I can throw a punch and swing a sword”.

Dear world, stop telling me I don’t sound or look like an Essex Girl. Just because I am not what YOU think an Essex Girl should be, doesn’t mean I am wrong. Born there, lived there, love there.

Elle Linton

Elle studied fitness science and is now a fitness professional and personal trainer. She was photographed at one of her favourite local running spots, Roding Valley Recreation Ground, Loughton.

I often get the "you don't sound like you're from Essex!" remark. Added to the fact I don't 'look' like I'm from Essex either.

Eleanore Frances and Michelle Barrington

Eleanore and Michelle, based in Stanford-le-Hope and Rochford respectively, are co-artistic directors and founders of the Blown Fuse Theatre Company. They collaborate in the community and with young people, gathering and portraying stories using various theatre techniques and styles. Photographed in Southend-on-Sea, where they studied and make a lot of their work.

My entire life, to everyone I met abroad, I lived “just outside of London”. The Essex Girl trope followed me to all four corners of the world. From Egypt to California, the white stiletto wearing, bad fake tanning trope dragged behind me like Marley’s chains. I didn’t want to be one of them. But why? Where did it come from? And why did I want to disassociate myself from that notion? I am no better than any other woman who chooses to wear a certain type of footwear.

Since Michelle and I founded Blown Fuse, we’ve been scratching away at that old ‘Essex Girl’ character description to try and unpick its origin: why it’s so negative; why people poke fun at us for the postcode we were born in; why we are not taken seriously as businesswomen, as artists or even as human beings. Essex has given birth to some of the most talented women of our time, and if they could do that whilst being labelled ‘brash’ and ‘materialistic’, then I think they’re pretty damn phenomenal. We’re determined to follow in their footsteps – white shoes and all.
Eleanore

For a long, long time I found myself apologising for where I’m from, the accent I have and defending the place where I live. Convincing people that we’re not all like the stereotype. I barely ever see people wearing white stilettos and I thought a vajazzle was just a myth. In fact, the womxn I know and surround myself with in Essex are all smart, strong, know what they want, stand up for what they believe in and support one another. Why are they not celebrated? Why are those Essex girls not talked about in the media, on TV shows and films? Perhaps we need to start listening to real Essex girls and hearing those stories instead so the next generation can grow up celebrating where they’re from instead of being embarrassed about it.
Michelle

Sophie Fisher

Hullbridge-born Sophie studied Sociology with Social Psychology at the University of York, and researched the Essex Girl stereotype for her final dissertation. She now works for a dementia charity, and was photographed in Basildon, where she lives.

As an Essex woman studying at a university up north, it was interesting what I encountered whilst I was living there. Some preconceptions were so far removed from reality; equally, there were elements I felt quite proud of and unapologetic about. As I was studying sociology, it felt only natural to go on to do my final dissertation on the topic, where I gathered qualitative data speaking to women from Essex to see what their thoughts were on the stereotype. The four main themes that arose from the focus groups were as follows:

Millie Sibley

Millie is a newly qualified firefighter. She is one of the few females in the role in Essex, and the first at Wivenhoe station where she is based.

Essex Girl born 'n’ bred.

Not that you’d think it, given the stereotypes. I don’t look too much into the pejoratives that coincide with the term ‘Essex.’ However, saying you’re from ‘just outside London’ instead of Essex just shows the bad rep Essex girls and boys have.

I wouldn’t say I’ve ever cared too much as to what others think of me as an ‘Essex Girl’, nor have I ever cared too much about fitting in to the stereotypical norm of Essex society. In fact, I do indeed love to challenge these notions and correct them where possible. The job role I have landed this year is just one of the few things I, and my fellow Essex matriarchy, have to prove that.

I am proud to say that I followed in my father’s footsteps and became a firefighter for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. I am the first woman firefighter to work at Wivenhoe fire station - I hope not to be the last. I really do love my job and I am so pleased to be in the role I am. I have seen many other women in the service - it is most certainly evolving from just a man’s world. The support of my colleagues has been so great - all, for sure, advocate diversity within the service. I hope this notion of diversity continues in the fire service and younger generations will see many opportunities for both men and women.

In the Collins Concise Dictionary under ‘Essex Girl’ it states the following: "unintelligent, materialistic and devoid of taste." I can say for sure none of the real Essex Girls I know can be labelled under any of these statements - let’s continue to change these outdated definitions of Essex. I have to say I feel fortunate to have grown up in a family where the 'Essex Girl' stereotypes were not adhered to; I felt this gave me freedom to do what makes me happy in life.

Freya Levy

Freya, originally from Rayleigh, has represented her country at wheelchair basketball, rugby sevens, and para ice hockey. She has lived with muscular dystrophy since 2010, and before her disability she played rugby and football at county level. She was the 'Essex Sports Personality of the Year 2019', is an Active Essex ambassador, and has campaigned at parliament for the NHS to promote disability sports at the time of diagnosis or prognosis. Photographed on the basketball courts in Chalkwell Park, Chalkwell.

I’m incredibly proud to be from Essex! Nothing makes me feel more at home than seeing the 'Welcome to Essex' sign on the M25 after being away with work or sport. I’ve definitely encountered negative preconceptions because of where I’m from and the stereotyping around being an ‘Essex girl’. People just assume you’re unintelligent, vain and naive, and when you’re disabled too, some days it feels like you’ve got no chance. It’s easy to succumb to stereotypes because it’s comfortable, but it takes courage to stand out, speak up and help challenge and change misconceptions around being a female and from Essex, because what is an Essex girl? That’s why this project is so important. This is for every young girl who hears “oh you’re from Essex” with that disappointed / disapproving tone, or often followed by “shut uppp!”, thanks to TOWIE. But being from Essex isn’t defined by looks or traits, being an Essex Girl is a movement, a community of women from all walks of life, empowering each other because of where we’re from, not in spite of it. I’m from sunny Saafend-on-Sea! We’re not posh, we don’t say our Ts, I don’t own white stilettos, I’ve never danced around a handbag, and I’m proud to be an Essex Girl!

Elleanna Chapman

Elleanna, from Shoeburyness, is an 18-year-old fine art foundation student at St Martin’s in London. She chose to be photographed at Southend East train station as she says the trains have played a big part in giving her independence.

I was aware of the stereotype from a young age because when I was growing up my parents would encourage me not to speak in my Essex accent when we were on holiday. We’d say we were from near London. My family is very much culturally working class, but I had the privilege of receiving a grammar school education and that has enabled me to embrace where I come from. Being from Essex is now quite an important part of my identity for me.

Victoria Jeeves

Victoria is an engineer working on the new Ford Transit at Dunton Technical Centre, Basildon, a job which has also seen her working in Cologne and Istanbul. She previously worked for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) in the West Midlands, and is an Ambassador for Women in Engineering and STEM. Photographed near her home in Shoeburyness, alongside one of the vehicle models that she has worked on.

I knew from the age of seven that I was going to be an engineer. I later studied for my Industrial Engineering degree at Coventry University, where I was the only female amongst 70 students.

I grew up in the Black Country and when I moved to Essex 16 years ago, friends in the Midlands made fun of me about becoming an ‘Essex Girl’. Where I’m from, the term ‘Black Country Wench’ is quite common, so I just laughed off the ‘Essex Girl’ comments!

I have made many friends here, mainly through work and sport. They really don’t fit the Essex stereotype at all - very smart, strong women. Shoeburyness / Southend is a wonderful place to live with my husband and bring up our family of three boys.

Abigail Wetton

Abigail is a 17-year-old sixth-form student from Colchester, and has been sailing regularly since taking a course in Shetland at the age of eight. She was photographed with her dinghy by the River Colne at her club, the Brightlingsea Sailing Club.

When I first started sailing I was a particularly short, little blonde girl, and I feel I was often treated differently because of it. Looking back I can see that, because of this, it took me longer than most to get my confidence. Now, almost nine years later, when I sail, I feel focused and powerful. That I am good at it. Something I think many would not have anticipated if all they knew was that I’m a teenager from Essex. My generation are pressured to fit into so many different stereotypes. We are named as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘careless’, and are boxed into other people’s expectations. When we fit the mould we are called out on it, but when we don’t, we are called out on that too. And we can’t speak up because then we are labelled 'snowflakes'. I often find it challenging to live with all these restrictions, but where I am successful in wearing and enjoying what I want without any worry of other’s opinions, I take pride and feel great satisfaction. This is something I can only strive to normalise to the people around me, as well as myself.

Ciara Waterfield and Sam Waterfield

Ciara is a professional actress, singer and performer. She trained in musical theatre in Romford and has worked across the UK. She is also a qualified yoga teacher. Her mother Sam is a complementary therapist, holistic medicine practitioner, yoga teacher and spiritual mentor. They both have their own businesses but also work together running ‘Moon Baths’ every month. They were photographed at their home in Onslow Green. 

It had never really occurred to me how much people have passed judgment when I tell them that I am from Essex. Either laughing and saying that they feel sorry for me (which is bizarre because there are some beautiful towns, villages and countryside / seaside views around Essex), or making a judgment immediately on the way I should be as a woman born and bred in Essex. But upon reflection, this happens when meeting most people who aren’t from Essex. When I attended college, to begin with people didn’t believe I was an ‘Essex Girl’ because my accent didn’t sound the way they’d expect, and they would then proceed to tell me where I should be from because of the way I sounded. I recently auditioned for a character who was from Dagenham, and I automatically exaggerated my Essex accent without thinking about it, in line with what I thought the caster would want - even though my accent is totally valid as a true Essex accent, because it’s the only place I’ve ever lived! I am always proud when I tell people I am from Essex. It is a beautiful, dynamic and diverse county. 
Ciara

I used to work in the City towards the end of the Thatcher era, before making a career change when having children. That’s when I first noticed the emergence of the Essex Girl stereotype. I was born in and grew up in Harold Wood. I worked on a dealing floor with almost all male colleagues, which certainly gave plenty of room for jokes about white stilettos and a lack of intelligence. I never took this to heart as I knew I had earned my place in the job, especially as many of the men I worked with had come from extremely affluent areas, backgrounds and education. There I was, a woman from Harold Wood, often telling them how to do their job. In my experience, Essex girls are hard working, no-nonsense, and get the job done. I have a friend who has openly said she likes to hire Essex girls, as she knows that they will do what she needs them to do to a high standard!  
Sam

Jenni Pettican

Jenni describes herself as a ‘chronic illness vlogger and blogger’. She studied drama at university and now works for a charity in Upminster. In 2016 she was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). She was recently nominated for the 'Positive Role Model Award for Disability' at the National Diversity Awards, for her work in the chronic illness community. Photographed close to her home in Basildon, alongside the sometimes controversial Hollywood-style sign that has become synonymous with the town. The zebra-print of Jenni’s dress reflects the ‘medical zebra’ symbol associated with rare and undiagnosed conditions.

I always apologise for being from Essex - even the ‘About Me’ section of my website says “From Essex (please don’t hold that against me)”.

If I asked you about the first thing you thought of when I say Essex (if you aren’t from here at least) what comes to mind is probably TOWIE; the thick, loud accents, orange tan and a whole lot of fakery. Although I’ve definitely met some people who fit the stereotype they are definitely in the minority. My accent is mild at worst, I’m as pale as anything and have never had a fake tan in my life. The only thing fake about me is my hair colour.

I chose to have my picture taken at the iconic, controversial, and a little bit tragic Basildon sign which sits atop a roundabout on the A127, marking the Basildon border. A sign of a small town trying to pretend it’s as big and famous as Hollywood. I also worked in a place known as ‘Bas Vegas’ for many years - I didn’t think you could get much more Essex than that. 

Alice Eve

Alice is a creative theatre producer, and studied Shakespearean Adaptation and Performance Academia at university. She went to the same school as actor Helen Mirren, in Westcliff-on-Sea, and now lives in east London. In the future she hopes to create her own production company - one that offers opportunities for artists from counties surrounding London to break into the (often exclusive) commercial environment of the city. She says there are still stigmas facing creatives from outside of London.

Too often the negative stereotype of Essex, specifically that of the ‘Essex girl’, overshadows how much the county and indeed its women have to offer. Growing up I spent so much time trying to tone down my accent, to avoid stereotype fashion - all because I had big dreams and didn’t want the way I presented myself to ever stand in my way. Now, as a young woman building her career, I am proud to look back on my childhood and teenage years in Essex; proud of the opportunities I had in the arts, proud of the communities I was part of, and proud to say I AM AN ESSEX GIRL! I am a professional, I am a creative, I care about the environment, about making opportunities for underrepresented people in the arts, about finding a way for my industry to recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic, and yes… I love to dye my hair blonde.

Lesley Kara

Lesley is a Sunday Times bestselling author of psychological thrillers. She was born and raised in Chelmsford, and now lives in Frinton-on-Sea, where she writes full-time. She chose to be photographed in front of the beach huts on stilts, because the fictional setting of her first two novels is inspired by Frinton and some of the key scenes take place on or near the beach.

I detest the term ‘Essex Girl’. It is deeply misogynistic and is also an overt form of class discrimination because, let’s face it, the stereotypical image of the ‘Essex girl’ is of a working-class woman unafraid to speak up for herself and in full control of her sexuality. I cannot understand how in this day and age it is considered appropriate to denigrate women from our county in this lazy and offensive manner.

Maddie Balcombe

Maddie is a 19-year-old student from Leigh-on-Sea. She is studying English and journalism at Cardiff University, and writes a blog ‘Living My Best Life’. Photographed on the Gypsy Bridge, a well-known local landmark.

I’m currently on a gap year and spent the first three months of 2020 travelling the east coast of Australia. When I meet new people in the UK, I rarely tell them that I’m from Essex - it’s always ‘just outside of London.’ However, in Australia, I started revealing my Essex roots. I was shocked to find that people from all over the world knew where Essex was and were all too familiar with the stereotypes that were linked to my hometown! Prior to this, I had no idea that the ‘Essex Girl’ was a worldwide stereotype, but I’ve always known that the way we are portrayed couldn’t be further from the truth. By participating in this project I hope that we can change people’s perceptions of Essex girls.

Jenny Mugglestone

Jenny plays as a flanker for the Essex County RFU women’s team, and as scrum half and captain of Romford Ravens. She enjoys all sports, including boxing, and has been playing rugby since the age of eight. Jenny also volunteers as head coach of the Essex under-15s girl’s rugby team. Photographed on a cold winter’s day at the Romford and Gidea Park RFU ground.

People are always surprised when I tell them I play rugby and that I play for Essex. They say I don’t look like I do, or don’t think I would be good enough.

Syd Moore

Syd is a bestselling author, also works in the arts and is a founder of the Essex Girls Liberation Front. Photographed on Two Tree Island, with Leigh-on-Sea in the background - both of which have association with the history of witches in Essex, which she has researched extensively and based her novels on. Legend has it that sea witches on the marshes around here would invoke storms at sea if the sailors refused to pay for a charm.

I know an Essex actor who was told her accent was not ‘Essex’ enough, and to ham it up - thereby perpetuating the stereotype even more. Apparently a genuine Essex accent is not real enough.

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I do think there are parallels with the persecution of witches and the Essex Girl stereotype that persists. The witches were portrayed as lower class and as loose women, like Essex Girls are today. That’s why the stereotype should be turned on its head and show the attributes of an Essex Girl as positives – she is a strong, ballsy woman who knows what she wants. Southend Echo

Sarah Stimson

Sarah is a business manager and owner of a beach hut hire company in Walton-on-the-Naze, where she lives. She grew up in Ilford, was formerly CEO of a charity, and holds a masters degree in charity marketing and fundraising. She gave up her charity job to start her own business and spend more time with her young family. She was photographed at Eastcliff Beach in Walton.

Essex is often overlooked as a travel destination. We’ve beautiful beaches and countryside here. It’s not that far from London, and yet it’s a whole world away.

I feel incredibly lucky to live and work by the sea. I hope my children look back on their childhoods with memories of endless fun summers on the beach.

Being self employed has its own challenges, but I don’t plan to ever go back to working for someone else.

When I’m sat in a beach hut on a summer evening with no one but seagulls for company, I am very grateful that my business has allowed a change in lifestyle that gives me more time with my family, and an appreciation for the place that we live. I get to make memories with my children, and to help other families make lovely memories too. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Sadie Hasler

Sadie is an award-winning playwright, author and actor. Her play ‘Stiletto Beach’ is described as a “funny and heart-warming look at what it really means to be an Essex Girl”. It premiered at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch as part of the ‘Essex On Stage’ project which champions positive notions of Essex and celebrates theatre made by working class writers from Essex.

She writes strong and funny roles for women in plays centred on the female experience, and is co-founder and artistic director of the Old Trunk theatre company.

Photographed at the Palace Theatre in Westcliff-on-Sea.

If my daughter ever tells me she feels held back, I will tell her simply to keep going, being brilliant and surprising the hell out of anyone still blinkered and boring enough to think being from Essex is a handicap.

I hope the Essex Girl taint dies out into a faint cultural memory. Like women being saucy for showing an ankle, like not having the vote, the pill, the mini skirt. Essex women have the strength and the talent and the brains and the drive to be a big part of the bigger picture, pulling us all forward.

Maria Ferguson

Maria is an award-winning writer and performer from Romford. In her second one-woman show, ‘Essex Girl’, she plays Kirsty, a 16-year-old girl growing up in noughties Brentwood. The play looks at the expectations she would face due to her class and gender, and the opinions projected onto her by others. Maria was photographed outside the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch, one of many venues where she has performed.

In my adult life I feel like I have been pigeon-holed and judged by where I’m from, predominantly because of my accent. My voice has been described as ‘endearing’ on more than one occasion when I’ve had to speak at literary events. When asked what I do for a living and I reply, "I’m a writer’" I am always met with the same response. "But what do you do for money?" Often, when I perform the show I’m asked if I ‘escaped’ Essex and when I say I now live in London, I’m met with a "well done you". It makes me question whether we can ever transcend the identity of where we were born and raised.

Helen Garcia

Helen is an ironman triathlete, endurance cyclist and horse rider. She’s run the London, New York, Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago marathons, is a marketing manager for a London bank and a former full time riding instructor.

Photographed with her horse Blue, at his stables near Upminster. Blue was purchased 16 years ago and has been a big part of her life ever since. 

When talking about the Essex Girl stereotype I am hugely guilty of denying that I’m an Essex girl. When people ask where I live and I say ‘Langdon Hills, Essex’ they invariably raise a smirk, to which I always roll my eyes and reply "but that doesn’t make me an 'Essex Girl'" 

But why doesn’t it? I am a girl and I live in Essex. In fact when I think of all the girls I know who also live in Essex, not one of them fits any element of the stereotype... Essex girls are often thought of as shallow, fake, all style and no substance - goodness I could go on, the stereotype is horrendous. But when I look at the Essex women I know, they are all strong, driven, determined, down-to-earth ladies, with a vast range of interests and attributes! 

Essex has a lot to offer and as a keen sportsperson and equestrian I appreciate the beautiful surroundings, gorgeous country lanes and little villages, stunning country parks etc. It’s full of amazing locations for me to train. I wish this natural beauty and incredible open space was what everyone thought of when they think of Essex. 

The county we live in does not determine our personalities or attributes.

Lu Williams

Lu is an artist, curator and founder of Grrrl Zine Fair, based in Southend-on-Sea. They create installations, workshops, printed matter and projects considering feminism, gender and class, and have a socially orientated practice. Grrrl Zine Fair celebrates feminism, trans, NB and LGBTQ+ communities. In 2019 they were awarded the Essex Cultural Diversity Project's Basildon commission, hosting public zine workshops and creating a collaborative zine. Photographed at the Grrrl Zine Fair x gal-dem Talks Tent at Village Green in Chalkwell.

Lucy Edwards

Lucy is a triathlete from Hornchurch, and author of the Paddle Pedal Pace triathlon blog. She is an ambassador for This Girl Can Essex, an extension of the successful national campaign to celebrate and encourage active women. Photographed at the Thames Chase Community Forest in Upminster.

I’ve always been proud to call Essex my home. I was born here and have lived here my entire life. I’m told that I have a strong accent which gives me away.

Unfortunately, Essex possibly has one of the worst reputations of all regions in the UK. Being from this county carries with it a stigma, particularly if you are female.

Essex really is an amazing place for sport and fitness - we’ve got miles of stunning coastline, vast networks of trails, huge open green spaces and an array of quality facilities.

The county is also home to a vast range of professional athletes and coaches. Proving that Essex Girls are not just dumb blondes, I did a little research into inspirational sportswomen from my county… Laura Kenny (Harlow, cycling), Saskia Clark (Colchester, sailing), Sally Gunnell (Chigwell, athletics), Stephanie Twell (Colchester, athletics), Rebecca Gallantree (Chelmsford, diving) and Amy Marren (Hornchurch, swimming). These women are role models - they are doing great things for their sport as well as the reputation of the county. Celebrating the achievements of women from Essex helps to challenge the misconceptions and reclaim the label. I’m proud to be from the same county as these powerful, strong role models.

I am an Essex girl, but I won’t be defined by the stereotype.

Charlotte Hawkins and Joy M Louisa 

Joy is a teacher and performance poet from Ockendon, and wrote this poem about her friend Charlotte whom she feels is constantly judged. Charlotte has six children under the age of 11, is a married working mother with two degrees both studied and passed whilst working and bringing up her children. She is also a recently qualified midwife. Joy says that’s not what people see though. Photographed at Mopsies Park in Basildon.

Snapping the Stiletto

An Essex Girl
Basildon born
Bleach blonde hair
Five kids and one on the way

Judged by society
Look below the surface
She is a warrior
A working mother
An academic
Who juggles work and love with Mother’s guilt
An angel of womankind, delivering life

You do not see what I see
A strong intelligent woman
The ‘chosen’ life choices
The ‘snap’ of the stiletto
The young woman
I am ‘privileged’ to call my friend

Ray Morgan

Ray is a performance poet, storyteller and writer from Leigh-on-Sea. Together with her wife Jo, she has also run a non-profit mixed arts organisation in Essex. Photographed by the Thames estuary on the seafront at Southend - chosen as Ray says a lot of her poetry has been influenced by the sea.

Tonya Brook

Tonya is headteacher of The Westborough School in Westcliff-on-Sea.

I was born in Tilbury, and when I was at school I wanted to become a teacher but was told that ‘people like you, from here, don’t go to university’ and that I should aim to work in an office instead. Even though I was in the top set for everything, my family had to pay my ‘O’ Level exam fees, and I was encouraged to focus on typing and home economics instead. Through hard work I became the first person from my family to go to university, and I’m really proud of my Tilbury roots. 

I tell my story to our Year 6 at their leaver’s assembly each year, and read Paul Cookson’s inspirational poem ‘Let No One Steal Your Dreams’ to inspire the children to go for their own dreams. I have proved that with hard work and determination anything is possible and just because you are born into one situation does not mean that you cannot aspire to greater things.

Benedicta Makeri aka Kicassoo

Benedicta is an artist from Southend, known artistically as Kicassoo. She was born and bred in east London, is of Nigerian origin, and moved to Essex where she lives with her daughter.

I can tell the difference between my accent and my daughter’s - mine is east London and hers is definitely Essex.

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Moving to Southend has been a major eye opener, but with a warm welcome. Since settling down here I’ve met amazing people - I hope to continue my journey quietly, peacefully and make the most of everything I have.

Dr Sarah Ives

Sarah has a PhD in American Literature from the University of Essex, has spent time in France, Hong Kong and Japan, and now lives in Westcliff-on-Sea. She is a practicing poet with a confessional style, exploring themes of trauma and mental illness. Photographed on the pier in Southend-on-Sea.

I first encountered the Essex girl stereotype in secondary school, and became motivated to prove myself and be taken seriously, especially through academics and writing.

Michelle Passfield

Michelle runs her own Essex-based marketing consultancy business, withMichelle. Previously, she had a successful marketing communications and business development career spanning twenty years, mostly working for international law firms in London and locally. Michelle is a tutor at Create98 workshops, and is the founder of WellbeingMatters, a voluntary group providing mental health peer support for people in the workplace. Photographed on the Leigh Steps, Leigh-on-Sea, close to where she runs her marketing training programme. 

After spending my 20s and 30s hiding the fact that I am an Essex girl, both professionally and socially, I now say "too right, yes I am an Essex girl and I'm proud to be so".