In summer 2026, Billericay Voices commissioned artist and zine-maker Lu Williams to create a new community art project for Billericay. Lu grew up in Billericay for 23 years, had their first art lesson at The Fold, attended Oakdin Montessori, Brightside and Mayflower schools, and went on to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martins and Oxford University. They are the founder of Grrrl Zine Fair, a community interest company delivering zine workshops, festivals and publications, alongside their own multidisciplinary art practice. Lu has worked with organisations including Southbank Centre, V&A Museum and Tate.

Returning to Billericay as an artist, Lu and Billericay Voices identified a need for more opportunities for local people to share their creativity, stories and perspectives. Ricay Zine was born from this idea: a new community art and culture publication celebrating the people, places, histories and creative life of Billericay. Everyone is invited to contribute artwork, photography, writing, memories, ideas and creative responses to life in the town. Selected contributions will be brought together in Issue 1, with the ambition for Ricay Zine to continue as an ongoing publication. Visit www.ricayzine.co.uk to create a page using our online submission portal, or email a photograph of your zine page to hello@ricayzine.co.uk