This weekend, Sandown launches the Isle of Wight carnival season with an extra spring in its step.
A finalist among hundreds
Just a couple of weeks ago, the town learned it was among the 15 finalists chosen from nearly 400 entries, all vying to become UK Town of Culture 2028. Sandown is the sole representative of the entire south coast of England, and one of only two towns south of London, to go forward.
Carnival takes centre stage
The Sandown bid team will proudly carry their Tide Turners banner at the town’s Main Carnival which parades up the High Street at 7pm on Saturday.
The event is one of the oldest summer carnivals in the country, part of a community tradition stretching back to 1889.
What winning would mean
The eventual Town of Culture winner, due to be announced in early 2027, will get £3 million to show off its cultural credentials and two runners-up will receive £250,000 each. For now, Sandown and the 14 other finalists each get £60,000 to take their visions to the next stage.
The idea of Sandown’s bid is for the whole community to become Tide Turners and transform the town’s fortunes by helping to kickstart regeneration after years of decline.
Tracy Mikich on the vision
Bid co-ordinator Tracy Mikich explains the long carnival tradition is just one part of Sandown’s cultural offer,
“The place is buzzing after the news that we’re in the final stages of the competition.
“Sandown’s carnival parades are always a showcase for the whole Island’s creativity and talent and that’s reflected in our plans for 2028.
“Our task now is to work closely with our partners and community to firm up all our ideas for the final programme.
“By blending our rich heritage and biosphere science with new arts and wellbeing initiatives, we’re co-creating a blueprint to turn the tide for Sandown.
“Ultimately, this is about driving year-round regeneration that lifts the town and its economy.”
Inside the bid
So what is the bid that’s turned the heads of the UK Town of Culture judges, led by Sir Phil Redmond who created TV’s Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks?
Sandown’s plans include:
- A Tide Turner Festival of arts and science with thematic pavilions linking Sandown’s heritage with its future;
- The Tangled Bank, a community eco-installation at the derelict Ocean Hotel site where naturalist Charles Darwin began writing On the Origin of Species; and the creation of lasting cultural legacies:
- A striking marine sculpture created by the artist Jason de Caires Taylor (featuring Sandown-invented Vertipools™) and
- The School of Sandown, partnering with universities to establish fieldwork residencies for the 18-30 age group.
The mayor’s reaction
Sandown’s mayor Alex Lightfoot is thrilled that the town’s ideas have made such an impact on the judges, and thinks they can go all the way,
“Getting to the final stages of the competition is a huge achievement for the whole community. And to be the only representative, not just of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight but most of the south of England, is an incredible honour.
“Our bid has been forged by the community and we believe it’s strong. Now, we’re determined to make sure our plans do justice to our town and the massive region we represent in the competition.”
News shared by Paul Coueslant, Heritage Champion, Building the Bay. Ed
