Big Ideas by the Sea is a new cultural festival that will bring to Scarborough some of the best speakers locally and from across the UK to talk about the big issues related to the environment, climate change and history.
Artist Kane Cunningham and former City of York archaeologist John Oxley MBE will focus on concerns facing local communities and people from across the globe.
Professor Dan Parsons from the University of Hull, a climate and environmental expert will be one of the major contributors opening the festival lectures on Saturday 21 May. Judy Ling Wong and Charlotte Bonner will then discuss sustainability in the workplace and in education. The festival is particularly keen to attract young people to the ‘Agents of Change’, programme of events.
Big Ideas By The Sea will be an annual event with the intention of becoming the leading cultural festival in the North of England.
A hugely popular part of the event is a community archaeological dig in the Old Town of Scarborough. The intention is to open up a large trench by St Mary’s Church in the Old Town at Paradise Walk. This ‘Time-Team’ style dig over 6 days will take the festival to communities that would not normally take part in such an event. At present, over 60 school children will be taking part in the dig plus an OAP group.
Expert speakers from across the UK are taking part in the talks and debates, including our very own local expert Egyptologist and Professor Joann Fletcher, who is involved in two events including a lecture at St Mary’s Church and a study day at Woodend.
There something for everybody to include children’s talks organised by the National Literacy Trust, the Big Draw at St Mary’s Church with Petra Ingham which focuses on archaeological finds, Minecraft with KrashLabs, music from 5 Star Brass, giant puppets from Huddersfield, Eliza Carthy and her band, the ‘Big Stitch’ which is a giant community-based art project where over 100 people have contributed a piece of textile work. Finally, to end the festival poet Ian McMillan will share his latest work on the 3rd of June.
Download the full programme here
Book your place on any of the events here
