Beach of Dreams 2024/5

Our coastal location is a precious, fragile and complex environment subject to the conflicting demands of industry, leisure and tourism. The potential consequences of climate change are an immediate threat in terms of coastal erosion, sea level rise, pollution, inundation of low-lying coastal plains and other extreme weather events.

 In May 2025, MSL will deliver a four-day programme, Beach of Dreams “Dungeness to Bulverhythe” (D2B): – part of an extraordinary national celebration of the UK’s coastline, aiming to raise awareness of climate change and drawing in thousands to walk 30 miles of coastline or engage with events along the way. The national festival promotes environmental responsibility and awareness through activities delivered by artists, scientists and activists. All participants will make an environmental pledge.

Secured artist commission for Hastings and Rother

We are delighted to say that MSL, via Arts Council England funding for the national Beach of Dreams project for Kinetika, has secured a commission for Anders Lustgarten, the Hastings-based writer of national repute to create a brand new piece of work inspired by, and celebrating, the people and coastline of Hastings and Rother – Dungeness to Bulverhythe.

We can’t do it without you

Do you have a story to tell inspired by your connection to the coast? Or a piece of the coast that means something particular to you?  Would you like to meet our writer?

Please get in touch with Helen: projects@mslprojects.co.uk to tell us you want to be involved, and we’ll make it happen.

We need you to spread the word too. We need as many local people as possible to join our writer over those three days. Tell all your friends, colleagues, local councillors and business owners to get in touch. Find out how to get involved in the national programme in May 2025.

Three-day extravaganza in May 2025

And this is where all our preparatory work, and your help, pays off in a programme of events from the evening of 29 May to dusk on Sunday 1 June 2025. Join us for the full walk or for parts of it by sea or air, or en route for public outdoor events for all ages and for evening tale telling and celebrations culminating with a dramatic programme of events on the beach at Bulverhythe at dusk on Sunday 1 June.

We’re putting it all together right now. So, if you want to be involved, if your group wants to put on an event, or if you want to suggest one, or a location, now, again, is the time to get in touch. Email emma@mslprojects.co.uk and let’s talk.

Let’s make an impression

We’re also putting a call out for images. Do you have a photo of the coast which you particularly love? Is there a vantage point along the Dungeness to Bulverhythe route that you think is particularly stunning? Did you capture wildlife, or some especially loved flora or fauna along the way?

Please share your thoughts and images of the most beautiful sections of coast with us too and we’ll endeavour to include them in our publicity along the way. Email them to Helen: projects@mslprojects.co.uk

All images: MSL/Kate Hodges