Supporters of Sandown’s UK Town of Culture bid gathered round the Tide Turners banner as the town launched the Island’s carnival season on Saturday.
The Tide Turners message is all about the community kickstarting the town’s regeneration and has already impressed the UK Town of Culture 2028 judges. Earlier this month, Sandown was chosen from nearly 400 towns across the UK as one of only 15 to progress to the final stage of the competition. The eventual winner receives £3 million to put on a series of cultural events in two years’ time.
Bid co-ordinator, Tracy Mikich, one of the banner-carrying team, was delighted with the response from the carnival crowds,
“What a fabulous carnival and start to the season. It was truly fantastic hearing people shout enthusiastic messages of support.
“Making the shortlist for UK Town of Culture shows that others have faith in us and the community vision we have presented.”
Bid supporters also gathered in front of the town’s derelict Ocean Hotel where Charles Darwin began writing On the Origin of Species in the summer of 1858.
Bay Heritage Champion, Paul Coueslant, says the hotel and its history are crucial to the Tide Turners’ message,
“Not everyone knows that Darwin started writing his famous theory of evolution beneath the burnt-out gables of a Sandown hotel.
“His work transformed the way we think about our planet, and that part of the town’s history has been a powerful driver for our Town of Culture regeneration campaign.”
News shared by Paul on behalf of Tide Turners. Ed
