Beacons will celebrate our connections to each other and to the natural world. It begins as a treasure hunt to find 200 magical glowing sea gooseberries in the local landscape and businesses, each of which carries a “wisdom” that we are currently collecting with the local community across all 13 council wards in Folkestone & Hythe. Once the sea gooseberries are all found, participants are invited to bring them to the beach, where their presence creates a large scale light and sound installation that demonstrates how together we can create something special. We are piloting a new way of creating artistic work with communities, that seeks to draw in the audiences who feel disconnected in the face of huge change because of Covid, climate change, regeneration and the recent influx of refugees. Beacons brings us together using game and adventure, and is only possible if everyone plays their part. In the same way our ecosystem stays in balance only if we all play a role.

What we'll deliver:

• 1000 treasure hunters take part during November, with 200 finding at least 1 hidden sea gooseberry.
• 1000 audience members watch the performance live on Folkestone Sunny Sands beach.
• 4000 individual people engage with at least 1 piece of content online, through social media and streamed video.
• 125 participants take part in at least 1 engagement activity facilitated by 7 Sea Gooseberry Guardians in late summer.

Why it's a great idea:

The main participant beneficiaries will be those the Sea Gooseberry Guardians engage with in each of Folkestone’s 13 council wards, including the rural areas of the North Downs and Romney Marsh. We expect these to include a range of local residents. Based on our earlier R&D and current connections with local organisations, our target groups include: young refugees, care home residents, primary school children, NEET youth, adults with learning difficulties, and young single mums. We will also employ 20 artists and technicians, and recruit 10 volunteers who will from paid work or experience opportunities.

Steps to get it done:

• Jun 2021 - Complete licensing and local authority permissions and event plan.
• Aug 2021 - Confirm outdoor locations for treasure hunt to find sea gooseberries.
• Sep 2021 - Agree marketing comms plan for treasure hunt and performance.
• Sep 2021 - Composer completes choral work, rehearsals underway.
• Sep 2021 - Production of treasure jars, finders books, costume, wearable technology, map and website.
• Oct 2021 - Confirm hosts who will offer 'guided quests' for people taking part in the treasure hunt.
• Oct 2021 - Finalise production plan for beach, including Covid measures, volunteers and technology.
• Nov 2021 - Launch treasure hunt on full moon.
• Dec 2021 - Performance on Sunny Sands beach on Winter Solstice.
• Jan 2021 - Evaluation report and documentation complete.