Discovering Landscapes
Heritage ‘Coast to Coast’ Project: Tennyson Heritage Coast at Compton Bay
Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently joined a short guided walk along Compton Bay beach, led by Mark and Dan.
After the walk they took part in Indonesian Cultural Line Dancing led by our Indonesian Community Friends Wayan and Niviera.
The group also enjoyed watching a Filipino Cultural Dance Performance, led by Cece and Aireen from our Filipino Community Friends.
A Cultural Picnic and Learning Display
The afternoon picnic included a delicious selection of food from different cultures.
There was also a "Show and Tell" display, created by Dan, with handwritten fact cards. These cards shared what the group had learned during two earlier exploring workshops.
Topics included:
- Compton Bay and Downs
- Fossils at Compton Beach
- Local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife
- Geology and rocks
- Shipwrecks
- Surfing
- Erosion of the coastline
The display also featured 20 artworks made by Equals Friends and Family Group, together with our Climate Pledges. These focused on
- Using sustainable materials
- Walking or using eco-friendly transport
- Turning off appliances when not in use
- Washing clothes cold and air drying
- Shopping local
- Reducing plastic use and refilling products
Celebrating with Walkers and Silk Flags
The picnic ended with a warm welcome for walkers arriving from the Isle of Wight Walking Festival route from Newtown to Compton Bay.
This final part of the event was part of the Beaches of Dreams national arts project. It celebrates UK coastlines and their culture, history and future in the face of the climate crisis.
Frankie and Chris from the Discovering Landscapes Team led a beautiful silk flag parade along the beach. Twenty colourful silk flags flew in the sea breeze, creating a stunning scene.
Discovering Landscapes at Compton Bay was a wonderful way to boost wellbeing and mental health while enjoying the coastline and being creative.
We took photos
The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf 412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.