Back in July almost 100 people in Burnham and Highbridge took up our challenge to become ChangeMakers. They were each given £10 at the ‘What Change’ launch event to create a small, but significant, change to make their towns the best place to be.
On Saturday the changes started at 8am on the beach, with this stunning sand poem (written during the project) about seagulls.
On the promenade the yarn bombers transformed one of the beach shelters... This awesome site-specific exhibition of yarn-bombing on the sea front has taken on a new significance in recent days as a dedication to local teenager Charley Marks. Click here to read more about the Yarn Bombing.
Members of the public were able to explore the creative happenings throughout the day...
Photos of beach and yarn bombing by Beata Kosc Photography
At 7pm 70 people arrived at the Princess Theatre and Arts Centre for the 'Keep the Change' celebration... to watch, listen and share all they’d achieved over the summer. During the course of the evening, we heard stories about all the amazing changes that have been created, including three beautiful dance films that explored the relationship between the two towns; an inspiring ‘Pick up your Pooch’s Poo’ campaign; entertaining monologues about the town written and performed by local people; an incredible ‘seagull’ frieze that encouraged people to explore their creative potential; a one woman GPS mapping project; a handmade flower installation; a community interactive performance of Midummer Night's Dream, poems, art exhibitions and music from local band Daft Folk. One participant spent their money on a litter bin to help keep the alley way by her house clean, promising to empty it every week.
There was more creativity on the night, when performance poet Saly Jenkinson created a wonderful on-the-spot audience poem, written by all who attended. Click here to read it in full.
Towards the end of the event we encouraged people to keep the ‘change’ in terms of any left over coins. But more importantly, we want people to keep the ‘changes’ they’ve made and to reflect on the differences they’ve achieved. Already this is apparent through the way people have learnt new skills, explored their creativity, increased their confidence and made new friends.
On the 21 October, we are inviting everybody back to an event called ‘Sea Change’ where we hope to explore the potential for even greater changes and transformations in Burnham and Highbridge.
Keep returning to this website for updates: we’re not done yet!