Beach of Dreams

Beach of Dreams 2025 is an unprecedented partnership of organisations across The UK and the R of I, bringing residents together with artists, scientists and other communities to explore their ever changing local coastline, take part in music, art, writing, singing or other activities and create something together. And we’re thrilled to announce that MSL Projects has been awarded our very own stretch of seafront. We’ll be creating big art, making mischief, gathering communities and telling stories between Dungeness and Bulverhythe.

MSL Projects is the lead for this 30-mile stretch of coast  and our pledge is to make sure as many people from Hastings and Rother as possible can be part of Beach of Dreams, creating their own activities throughout 2024, leading up to the big celebration in May/June 2025. 

During 2024 we are casting the net wide so that we can reach communities and individuals who would not normally access the coast, understand what they need to do so, and help them make it happen this time, and for future use. They’ll make art,  eat together and to build a long-lasting love of the place where waves meet shore, or cliffs plunge into the foam.

Throughout, we’ll be recording our process and building networks that will last.  We’ll be linking arms with local groups such as the Hastings Refugee Buddy Project, Seaview, and residents of Hastings who don’t regularly (or ever) visit the seaside to create, teach and celebrate together.

And we’ll build on this in 2025, as part of the much bigger five days of celebration.

Our 2024 crowdfunder exceeded its initial £5000 target. We will spend the money raised finding people and groups who would like to take part in Beach of Dreams 2025, supporting them in developing their project ideas, introducing them to other groups, creatives and facilitators to assist them, sharing expertise, knowledge and learning. We will link up the groups from Hastings and Rother with the south east Beach of Dreams network and the national hub so that their projects can be part of the national celebrations in 2025.

East Sussex County Council chose MSL’s crowdfunder campaign as one of its five Crowdfund East Sussex offers, pledging match funding for up to our first £5k and recognising the transformative work we could achieve for communities in East Sussex.

Sincere thanks to all our crowdfunding backers: 

Playsport UK

Christine Warrington

Karen Rees

Jean Lebrecht

Jenny Miller

David Spooner           

Fiona Wilson

Sam Smethers

Daniel Percy-Hughes

Jacqui Campbell

Geraldine Gavin

Barbara Browning

Christine Westwood

Richard Hermon

Sue McCarthy

Spun Glass Theatre

Laetitia Yhap  

Laura Coppin

Stella Dore

Lucinda Devenish

Jacqueline Butterworth

Hannah Lebrecht

Geraldine Pilgrim

Marie Casey

Lucy Mulgan

Hastings Rounders

Will Green

Johanna Carter

Cath Cooper

Melissa Callaghan

Alison Lyon-Behrens

Philippa Beagley

Jean Lebrecht

Krissie Nicolson

Louise Carlyle

Katy Louis

Gareth Jenkinson

Cath Cooper

Ruth McLeod

Nadine Keats

Josephine Fairley Sams

Jo Beattie

Main image: White Rock Theatre Company led by Charlie Abrahams spelling out Hastings’ Welcome to the World
Other images: Jeff Pitcher