Sunday 13th August saw the culmination of weeks of hard work by all those involved in the revival of the Grand Sandown Hat Parade.
The Arts Council England-funded project saw Islanders young and old take part in workshops led by Isle of Wight artist Teresa Grimaldi and Central Saint Martins fashion graduate, Joel Lines.
The project was led by Boojum and Snark’s Creative Producer, Tracy Mikich, in collaboration with Paul Coueslant from Sandown Carnival Association (listen to our podcast with Paul) and saw workshops take place not only in Broadlea Primary School and The Briars Care Home, but also at Boojum and Snark over three nights.
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Reviving a tradition with artistic flair
As part of the popular Sandown Regatta – which saw a fun-packed day of entertainment on the beach and seafront – the Grand Hat Parade harked back to a tradition of bygone days.
The first Sandown Hat Parade for many years was a great success, with some incredible millinery masterpieces being expertly modelled by those who helped make the event such a success.
The photographs captured by Isle of Wight photographer, Julian Winslow, give a wonderful sense of the day for those unable to attend (see the gallery below). Also check out the video below of the hats being paraded around the arena on the beach.
Judges and prize-giving
Taking on the task of judging the hats were Sue Jackson, Georgia Newman (IW Creative Network) and High Sheriff, Dawn Haig-Thomas (pictured below).
Prizes were awarded for three categories of entries:
- Best sustainable hat went to Bridgette Sibbick for her use of upcycled, recycled materials to create the crabby hat.
- The award for best children’s hat went to Ronan and Rourke Mullins-Jacobs for their costumes and hats as pirate nippers.
- The best overall award went to the Spooner family: Josie and Andrew (parents), Florence, Milly, Betty, Billy and Nana Carole.
Mikich: Brought vibrancy, joy and lightheartedness to Sandown
Following the event, Tracy Mikich, Creative Producer, Boojum and Snark, said,
“Hat wearing at the Sandown Regatta was a unique and fun tradition that brought the community together and gave the town a sense of identity. Reviving this tradition has not only provided creative opportunities for all, but it has also brought vibrancy, joy, and lightheartedness to Sandown and that’s definitely worthy of raising your hat to.”
Coueslant: Hugely positive public response
Paul Coueslant, chair of Sandown Carnival, said,
“The idea of reviving the lost tradition of hat-wearing at Sandown Bay Regatta was a bit of a stab in the dark. People in the town remembered the tradition with great fondness but there were just a handful of photos we’d come across, taken over several post-war decades. To see such an enthusiastic revival at the 2023 Regatta; with the community throwing itself into hat-making and then a spectacular and wonderfully eccentric Grand Hat Parade on the beach, was just fantastic.
“The hugely positive public response encourages us to take community involvement a step further next year, with more hat-making and – of course – another Hat Parade. It would be great if a Sandown tradition established in the 20th century could be something the town becomes known for in the 21st.
“We’re really grateful to the Arts Council England Lottery Fund for enabling us to take hat-making to Broadlea Primary School and The Briars care home, as well as put on the series of popular workshops at Boojum & Snark.”
Grimaldi: A tradition most worthy of revival
Artist, Teresa Grimaldi, said,
“Hats are good fun. They seem to extend a sense of joy and amusement to the wearers and the viewers.
“The revival of Sandown’s Regatta Hat tradition provided a perfect opportunity to be ambitious and wildly creative in making and wearing hats in lots of different settings. And focusing on Gertrude Shilling and plantable seed hats provided so many local conversations about the past and the future, where wildflowers might grow and what ridiculous and bigger hats might evolve next year.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement to facilitate the creativity of all our Regatta Hatters. A tradition most worthy of revival.”
Lines: Was a really memorable experience
Creative practitioner, Joel Lines, said,
“I was just 6 when I first designed and made my own costume for the Sandown Carnival, so this is something that I have been doing for a while.
“The Regatta Hat project was great as I was able to share my skills and passion for creativity with people of all ages, it was a really nice and memorable experience.”
Shaw: All in all it was a really enjoyable experience
Lesley Shaw, from The Briars Care Home, said,
“The residents and staff really enjoyed the hat-making activity. The workshop also allowed for the fact that residents living with dementia tend to have a short attention span, so it was great that they felt free to dip in and out. All in all it was a really enjoyable experience and we were delighted to be a part of it.”
Hunter: Contributing to the Island’s Biosphere
Keely Hunter, artist and milliner, said,
“It was really nice working with seed paper as part of this special project. Sustainability is so important, especially when we live in an area of outstanding natural beauty like the Island.
“I love the idea that these hats may one day be wildflowers that will help contribute to the Island’s ecosystem and Biosphere.”
Freeley: It sparked a lot of enthusiasm and marvellous creations
Sharon Freeley, Headteacher, Broadlea Primary School, said,
“The children were intrigued by the compostable material provided to make the hats and experimenting with it sparked a lot of enthusiasm and marvellous creations!
“Pupils actively asked for ‘more days like this!'”
Ashman: Multi-generational involvement in bringing creative tradition back to life
Christopher Ashman, Director of Regeneration at Isle of Wight council, said,
“It was great to see multi-generational involvement in bringing this creative tradition back to life. So many more memories were created resulting in increased ownership and identity with Sandown and the Bay as a place, with people caring about its future.”
“I felt brilliant afterwards and would like to do more”
Lorraine, one of those who took part in the workshops, said,
“I had a lot of fun at the workshops even though I am not arty. It was great to have Joel and Teresa helping us all get hands-on and creative. I felt brilliant afterwards and would like to do more!”
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