Wet Leg singer-songwriter Rhian Teasdale has thrown her support behind Sandown’s bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, saying that the Isle of Wight town’s young people deserve greater opportunities to explore their creative talents.
Sandown was named in July as 1 of 15 finalists in the national competition, having been selected from almost 400 hopefuls, going on to become the only finalist from the South East of England and the South Coast.
The winning town will receive £3million to deliver a programme of cultural events in 2028, while 2 runners-up will each receive £250,000.
Rhian, who grew up in Sandown before finding international success with Grammy-winning Wet Leg, said:
“Sandown may be a small town on a small island, but I can tell you first hand that the smallest towns often produce the biggest dreams.
“Growing up in Sandown, I don’t think I fully appreciated how much the town would shape me as an artist.
“Looking back now, I can see it for the wonderfully unique place it is, full of character, creativity and potential. I just wish I’d been able to see that as a teenager.
“There are so many talented, creative and ambitious young people in Sandown, and they deserve the opportunity to explore those talents close to home.
Article continues below this advertisement “Investing in the town’s creative community would give young people the support, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive.”
The team behind Sandown’s campaign has adopted the name Tide Turners, with its proposals aiming to use culture to help kickstart regeneration following years of decline.
The bid describes Sandown as a place where visitors are never more than 500 metres from both “crumbling dereliction” and the natural beauty of the UNESCO Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve.
It has also coined the word “shunderful” to describe the town, combining “shabby” and “wonderful” in the style of Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll, who was a visitor to Sandown during the 1870s.
Plans for 2028 include a 6-month programme of events culminating in the Tide Turner Festival, bringing together arts and science.
Organisers hope to tell Sandown’s story across 100 million years, taking in its dinosaur heritage, Charles Darwin’s work on On the Origin of Species, Lewis Carroll, the town’s Victorian carnival and regatta traditions and modern environmental innovation.
Talks are also taking place with internationally known marine artist Jason deCaires Taylor over the possibility of creating an intertidal, bioreceptive sculpture on Sandown’s shoreline.
Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson attended a Tide Turners engagement meeting in Sandown last week.
He said:
“It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity to showcase Sandown and bring together all the wonderful work that is already going on as we prepare for the final part of the competition.”
The MP’s position as the current representative for Isle of Wight East is confirmed by UK Parliament.
The bid team has also appointed longtime Sandown resident Sharon George as creative director.
Sharon is creative director of Shademakers UK and has worked on projects including the opening of the Olympic Park and the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
She said:
“I’m incredibly proud that Sandown has reached the final round of Town of Culture and am already in conversation with artists, community organisations, young people, businesses and residents about what this opportunity could mean for the town.
“The sense of wonder I felt when I first moved to Sandown at the age of 12 has never left me, and I’m delighted to have this chance to celebrate what we already have and shape the next chapter of the town I love.”
Isle of Wight creative agency NOSY has meanwhile joined the campaign to manage its social media presence and website design.
Founder Matt Greg said:
“Sandown has a brilliant story to tell and our job is to make sure it gets heard.
“For us, this campaign is about shining a light on the real people, culture, creativity and natural landscape that make this town special.”
The Tide Turners website is also being launched at www.tideturners.co.uk.
Residents will have the chance to get involved when Ventnor Exchange’s The Arena arrives at Sandham Gardens for a 2-week seafront residency.
Tide Turners will take over the big top on 21st October for a day of entertainment and community engagement, including hands-on workshops aimed at gathering local ideas for the bid.
A short film created by NOSY, We Are the Tide Turners, has also been produced using a story by Anmarie Bowler inspired by conversations and ideas shared through the Town of Culture WhatsApp group.
The film focuses on coastal decline and the community’s determination to adapt and help turn Sandown’s fortunes around.
It can be viewed through www.tideturners.co.uk and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8STOnYCmYrY.
