People, sun, rain, wind and rainbows all piled in last weekend for Hullabaloo, the most colourful and something-for-everyone of celebrations held in Sandown Bay.
Whatever the weather, Hullabaloo was there to give spirits, brains, hearts and imaginations a whopping boost. And whatever you came for, everyone was all in it together – for carnival arts, music and makers, cardboard and community connections, insights into the Bay’s natural world from fossils to future, and storytellers and experts from around the Island Biosphere and beyond.
Hullabaloo was lucky to host some amazing experts presenting on world-changing initiatives in this year’s Talk Tent. Speakers included Reniera O’Donnell, Food Initiative Lead from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation discussing the Foundation’s promotion and development of regenerative agriculture as part of the global transition to a circular economy, and Daisy Durden from WWF UK discussing the NGO’s move towards ‘wholescape’ restoration both in the UK and worldwide.
Visitor and contributor, Matt Whittaker, has said:
“The event was so full of energy and life – with all attendees and participants so positive and welcoming. I had an absolute blast. Can’t wait for the next one!”
The event was helped this year with funding from Interreg EU as part of the UNESCO Sites Across the Channel programme. Hullabaloo, created by Shademakers and co-hosted and funded with The Common Space, was the grand finale in a programme of 3 diverse Biosphere-focussed events run by The Common Space for USAC and the IW AONB, including the inaugural Branstone Day and the revival of Fort Vic Foray at Fort Victoria. A specially curated Biosphere exhibition is next on the list.
Richard Grogan, Isle of Wight AONB said:
“Hullabaloo was a culmination of a series of events and projects where we hoped to celebrate all that is good about the Isle of Wight’s natural and cultural environment and the people who care for it. What we hope it will do is to inspire more people, young and old, rich or poor, resident or visitor to be like those behind the tables and not just learn more but care more. The more these events happen the more people will be reached and making all this relevant to everyone’s daily lives will produce the change we need to see the Island thrive.”
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