Article by We Are Creatives Thurrock
The Beach of Dreams event at Grays beach riverside park on Saturday 31st July (run alongside a leg of Kinetika’s massive 500 mile walk) was a mixture of sun, fun and exhibition. Imagine the scene; an array of stalls showcasing many of the good works being undertaken in Thurrock, a gentle breeze carrying the superb music of Grays Town Band, people milling around and a whale.
Sorry, rewind. A whale? Yes a whale sculpture commissioned by Thurrock Lifestye Solutions (TLS) and constructed by WeAreCreativesThurrock.UK. It had been constructed of typical waste plastic materials found in The Thames and highlighted the severity of the problem with pollution.
Photo (below) copyright David Reynolds
We were showcasing some other creations inspired by the recycled art movement too.
Across the exhibition area was Katie and Ermintrude the Eco Cabin, a wonderful 1965 horsebox conversion where you can bring your own cannisters/boxes and get them refilled. Better to reuse than discard!
Riverside Community Big Local were present, highlighting projects around Grays. Tina Holland was promoting the new community café at Grays Town Park which will be opening in around a month. Tina will be running the café and has worked tirelessly with Friend’s of Grays Town Park to improve the communal space for all to enjoy.
Kirsty Eaton, the founder of Reach Out For Mental Health Foundation was exhibiting from the Riverside Community gazebo too. Kirsty and her team support people who experience suicidal thoughts and those who need someone to speak to. Your mental health is so important. Please do not hesitate to check out their website if you are in need of support.
The day also saw the penultimate leg of T100 dreaming walk from Grays Thameside Theatre to Grays Beach Park. A splendid convoy of flag bearers that culminated with a riverfront performance by Kinetika Bloco and their new recruits (from a free drumming workshop held throughout the event) joined by a director of TLS, Sunny, who danced to their fantastic music.
The Lighthouse Café, worked so very hard keeping all visitors fed and watered. It’s a super café and it makes the whole beach experience even more special. Of course a special mention to their Exmouth cabin that provided so many hot and cold drinks too. Hmm…but no Tizer.
The day was a fantastic collaboration of event partners, Riverside Community Big Local, TLS, Thameside Theatre and Kinetika.