- Published on
A tiny community turned on a mighty show for their winter solstice festival.
By Jeannie Haughton
THE weather deities were smiling on us. After lashings of stormy winds that gusted for days and strangled the plastic-filled fish at Coronet Bay in May, the longest nights of the year could have been foul: instead the tangy winter air was perfect for tramping round atmospheric Tenby Point then settling with soup in front of roaring fires. It doesn’t get better.
Lisa Burrell’s sublime “chimneys” stood like sentinels along Marine Road, blending past with present, complementing the natural background while adding contemporary flair and purpose. We swore we could see herds of animals, swans at sea, trees on a horizon as we stared into the backlit, abstract and earthy toned lights.
The tiny community of Tenby Point, led by David Pearce and Jean Coffey and around 40 volunteers, stretched their muscles and rallied to produce a wonderful event over three nights. In the course of a few weeks they created art together at the local picnic table, recruited new and long-term families to help – all meeting each other and chatting away … then managed the event itself, cooking soup and biscuits and cakes, installing and demounting artwork, lighting up a boat and raft at sea. What a tremendous effort for a tiny hamlet of around 100 houses! And only half of those are permanently occupied and many residents had travelled north for the sun.
Some of my own favourite moments were watching the children play in the stacks of coloured boxes, such simple fun; watching the greeting of friends and neighbours and their DOGS – there were well behaved dogs everywhere on Saturday night; staring into Lisa Burrell’s artworks; the track to the sea; admiring the artworks created by local people along Bayview Avenue; listening to the soundscape; most of all, being lured outside to glory in the stunning environment and waterline of Tenby Point. And the fires. And my friends. And Lynda’s biscuits and David’s banana cake.
THE weather deities were smiling on us. After lashings of stormy winds that gusted for days and strangled the plastic-filled fish at Coronet Bay in May, the longest nights of the year could have been foul: instead the tangy winter air was perfect for tramping round atmospheric Tenby Point then settling with soup in front of roaring fires. It doesn’t get better.
Lisa Burrell’s sublime “chimneys” stood like sentinels along Marine Road, blending past with present, complementing the natural background while adding contemporary flair and purpose. We swore we could see herds of animals, swans at sea, trees on a horizon as we stared into the backlit, abstract and earthy toned lights.
The tiny community of Tenby Point, led by David Pearce and Jean Coffey and around 40 volunteers, stretched their muscles and rallied to produce a wonderful event over three nights. In the course of a few weeks they created art together at the local picnic table, recruited new and long-term families to help – all meeting each other and chatting away … then managed the event itself, cooking soup and biscuits and cakes, installing and demounting artwork, lighting up a boat and raft at sea. What a tremendous effort for a tiny hamlet of around 100 houses! And only half of those are permanently occupied and many residents had travelled north for the sun.
Some of my own favourite moments were watching the children play in the stacks of coloured boxes, such simple fun; watching the greeting of friends and neighbours and their DOGS – there were well behaved dogs everywhere on Saturday night; staring into Lisa Burrell’s artworks; the track to the sea; admiring the artworks created by local people along Bayview Avenue; listening to the soundscape; most of all, being lured outside to glory in the stunning environment and waterline of Tenby Point. And the fires. And my friends. And Lynda’s biscuits and David’s banana cake.
Chimneys: From a distance they emanated a welcoming warmth. Close up, the detail of individual pieces drew my thoughts away.
People: What a great, well behaved group! So many great conversations.
Next Year: Count me in!
Only one point missing ...accolades to the one who dreamed it up & wove it all together, author of all the magic & this article. Heartfelt thanks from Tenby Point Jeannie, we are so lucky to have you as a part time resident !