Local activist, Beccy McCray, was inspired by the recent Seeds of Hope campaign launched by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This aimed to showcase the power of nature and community to tackle key issues that particularly affect vulnerable communities, such as cost of living, mental health, and the climate and nature crises. And hope is definitely worth nurturing and sharing in Hastings.

As part of the national festivities, she organised WE ARE A SEA, two days of events on the weekend of 28/29 September “to celebrate stories of possibility and solidarity in a world where governments have fallen short, and a world where hope is in the shadows whilst doom is in the mainstream.” She says: “I wanted to bring people together, shifting narratives away from polarisation and separation (from each other and the natural world), and instead, speak of interdependence and community.”

A short video has now been made to remind us of the event, a weekend featuring a mixture of joyful activities celebrating the ‘Hastings Heroes’ who help keep their seas and shoreline clean, safe, and welcoming. 

The event was branded WE ARE A SEA as a new headline for Hastings, “one which reflected the growing ocean of hope bubbling away within the town,” Becky explained on the website. “We are a sea and together we make waves.”

“The event was timely,” says Rossana Leal, CEO of the Refugee Buddy Project. “It was just after the horrible race riots. We at the Buddy Project provided lots of emotional support to our local communities who were very scared and still in fear of leaving their houses. The festival was a chance for all of us to get back out and show our support for each other – be visible and take up public space.” She says the day was spent painting the ‘steps of hope’ on the seafront opposite Warrior Square.

And from One Hastings Many Voices: “It was the only beautiful sunny day that week and everyone joined in, painting  and eating lovely food made at Dove Cafe and donated by many local businesses.”

WE ARE A SEA found a way to connect the diverse array of artists, groups, venues and change-makers involved, linking them together in Action Hubs along the seafront. Groups such as Clean Water Action, Yoga by the Sea, Hastings Bike Project (all pretty much self-explanatory) and Pebbledash (involving running over the pebbly beaches – and sand – sometimes with competitive litter pickings).

Go to weareasea.net for programme of events and more details of participants. Scan QR code to find video of event beccymccray-workwork.com/creative-director/weareasea.