New Carnival Company’s Crossing the Bar (XTB) programme has been hailed a huge success, with record numbers of hikers, artists and schoolchildren taking part in coastal walks, creative animations and heritage learning activities at the weekend.
Crossing the Bar is a creative collaboration with Isle of Wight AONB, the Ramblers and The Isle of Wight Walking Festival.
It is building towards an Island-wide event in Spring 2024 when the new National Trail – the England Coast Path – will be officially opened. The England Coast Path will be the longest coastal footpath anywhere in the world at around 2,800 miles. Initially, the Isle of Wight’s coastline was excluded from the trail map – but campaigning by local Ramblers and outdoor enthusiasts soon put paid to that.
New Carnival, experts in outdoor arts, community celebrations and sustainable culture, took the opportunity to make this a massive community engagement project – which has been building for 18 months and gaining momentum fast.
Frankie Goldspink, XTB programme coordinator, has said:
“We know that the Isle of Wight’s coastline is unique and very special. We are passionate about that. It is diverse, unspoilt, packed with nature, heritage and culture, and its coastal footpath attracts walkers from all over, all year round. The Isle of Wight already has over 50% of its countryside recognised as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and boasts over 35 miles of Heritage Coastline. In fact, UNESCO has already designated the Isle of Wight a World Biosphere Reserve – this is recognition of the special relationship that our community has with this outstanding environment. We want to shout out about that.”
Over the past weekend (14th-16th October) XTB delivered 14 varied interest walks in 6 locations, with the support of 6 coastal Heritage and Museum sites, six schools and over 150 children. A total of 243 people enjoyed the walks and complementary performances at specific sites by dancers, students, folk groups and even a carnival samba band.
Hannah Ray, Director of New Carnival, said:
“It’s been a very busy weekend with some amazing artworks on display created by local children and adults in response to their chosen coastal site. We are now looking forward to moving the programme up a step to the next stage – with a focus specific on the Island’s celebrated Heritage Coastline and a new walks and cultural programme being available to share in the early summer of 2023.”
