A one-of-a-kind free event designed to bring people of all walks of life together to celebrate water is taking place this weekend in Cleethorpes – and it aims to bring back a Lincolnshire tradition dating back thousands of years.
From 3pm, members of the public are invited to the ‘Water-Bodies: A Celebration’ event at La Cuna on Kingsway to view a unique exhibition created by a group of seven women through a three-part project that took place earlier this year, ‘Stories from the Water-Body’.
Between 4pm and 5.30pm, a public workshop will take place at La Cuna, where guests will make small objects out of foraged and biodegradable materials to use as their “offering” to the sea. Natural materials will be provided, but people are encouraged to bring their own items such as shells, flowers, leaves, twigs, pebbles or rocks.
From 6pm to 7pm, a Twilight Celebration will take place on Cleethorpes beach, where guests will be able to honour the connection between their bodies and water, and offer their object to the sea. A live performance and refreshments will then be available at La Cuna until 8pm.
Organised as a joint collaboration between North Lincolnshire artist Louisa Chase and Hannah Green of Dance Free CIC, the event has also benefited from Create NE Lincs and Arts Council England funding.
Speaking to Grimsby Live, Louisa said: “When we were doing some research we discovered that Lincolnshire has a really long history of giving offerings to water, going back to the Iron Age.
(Image: Submitted)
“Archeologists at Thisketon in Lincolnshire discovered people had been putting objects into water as offerings through the Iron Age, Roman and Medieval times, so we’re reviving something that has happened here for a very long time and putting a modern take on it.
“The exhibition tells the story of the workshops and how they came about. The whole point was not necessarily to produce something creative, but to spread the message that creativity is for everybody, whether they think they’re creative or not. You don’t have to think of yourself as an artist to be creative, and the exhibition shows that.
“It’s being held at LaCuna which is a fantastic little community creative space. From 4pm, visitors can expect a drop-in workshop where they can make an item out of natural foraged objects with the intention of giving them to the sea as an offering later on.
“At 6pm there will be a ceremony on the beach and the idea is that we give these offerings to the sea. It’s not going to be anything too serious – the idea is to connect with the sea and think about the importance of water. It’s going to be quite a peaceful, calming and relaxing event where people can connect to the place and to each other.”
People of all ages are welcome, but anyone under 16 is asked to be accompanied by an adult.
Louisa continued: “The event is aimed at anyone who feels a connection with the sea and that could be for any reason – they might love swimming, fishing, boating or paddle boarding. Our waters are quite heavily polluted, so it’s an opportunity to come and appreciate water and give it a bit of love.”
To book your place at this free event, click here.
