Ryde-based arts organisation New Carnival has announced that it has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £9,720 for an exciting heritage project taking place in the south of the Island this Summer.
Crossing The Bar is named after a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson written in 1889 whilst he was crossing the Solent to his home in Farringford. Tennyson was a keen walker, with a great fondness for nature as well as the creative arts, and the project celebrates that connection.
The 1st edition was a great success, as reported by Island Echo.
Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project will explore, interpret and celebrate a 28-mile stretch of the coastline of the Isle of Wight which is already designated as Heritage Coast due to its unspoilt landscapes, biodiversity, and rich cultural heritage.
Over a 6 month period, the project will work with scientists, environmentalists, museums, artists, schools, wider community groups, walking groups and members of the public to collate stories and create new narratives, excite learning and expression, create responses and celebrations, all inspired by the heritage coast.
The Tennyson Heritage Coast falls within Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (IWAONB) and is managed by that organisation. Isle of Wight is an UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. A 3-day outdoor weekend event will take place on between 9th and 11th June 2023 and an exhibition of work will be curated and shown over the summer holidays, for locals and visitors alike.
The project is New Carnival’s response to National Year of the Coast 2023 and to an ongoing awareness, inclusion and local ownership initiative for the new England Coast Path (ECP) – National Trail – completion expected in 2024. The Island’s coastal path accounts for about 128km of that 4,500 km route.
Hannah Ray, Executive Director for the New Carnival, has said:
“We are delighted to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players. The grant will ensure we reach even wider audiences with high quality engagement activities that will inspire, inform, and connect people to the landscapes they live in.”
