“Now is the time of the Sea Gooseberries, they come and go with the tides bringing magic from the past and songs for our future.”
Beacons is a new community adventure and live event taking place across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh in November to December 2021. Through storytelling, music and light, it seeks to connect us to each other, our local landscape, and our place in the wider ecosystem, touching on themes of climate change and related migration.
It follows 200 Sea Gooseberries that have washed ashore and become separated in the landscape, leaving fragments of their magical songs for people to find at 50 locations in shops, cafes, parks and open spaces. They need to be reunited for their magic to work and the story to be revealed.
Beacons is a new community adventure and live event taking place across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh in November to December 2021. Through storytelling, music and light, it seeks to connect us to each other, our local landscape, and our place in the wider ecosystem, touching on themes of climate change and related migration.
It follows 200 Sea Gooseberries that have washed ashore and become separated in the landscape, leaving fragments of their magical songs for people to find at 50 locations in shops, cafes, parks and open spaces. They need to be reunited for their magic to work and the story to be revealed.
Watch our new trailer to find out more
The Quest
Saturday 20 November - Sunday 19 December 2021
Locations across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, UK
Join us on a Quest to solve clues and reunite the Sea Gooseberries.
From Saturday 20 November, the public will be able to get hold of a free map and join in The Quest to solve clues and find as many song fragments as they can, logging their finds on an interactive website - beaconsproject.uk. The more they find, the more chance a Sea Gooseberry will ask to be looked after at their home where it will glow brightly in their window until The Gathering.
It is free to take part and suitable for all ages.
The Quest Facebook Event.
Locations across Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, UK
Join us on a Quest to solve clues and reunite the Sea Gooseberries.
From Saturday 20 November, the public will be able to get hold of a free map and join in The Quest to solve clues and find as many song fragments as they can, logging their finds on an interactive website - beaconsproject.uk. The more they find, the more chance a Sea Gooseberry will ask to be looked after at their home where it will glow brightly in their window until The Gathering.
It is free to take part and suitable for all ages.
The Quest Facebook Event.
Credit: Alison Neighbour
The Gathering
Sunday 19 December 2021, 3.30pm
On Sunny Sands, Folkestone, UK
You are invited to a Gathering of light, song and fire to reunite the Sea Gooseberries.
The Gathering is on Sunday 19 December, 3.30pm, when caretakers of the Sea Gooseberries and the wider public are invited to assemble on Sunny Sands beach to reunite these magical creatures and reveal the ending of the story.
Free event. Suitable for all ages. Booking not required.
On Sunny Sands, Folkestone, UK
You are invited to a Gathering of light, song and fire to reunite the Sea Gooseberries.
The Gathering is on Sunday 19 December, 3.30pm, when caretakers of the Sea Gooseberries and the wider public are invited to assemble on Sunny Sands beach to reunite these magical creatures and reveal the ending of the story.
Free event. Suitable for all ages. Booking not required.
Credit: Thomas Olney
FAQs
How to get a map
From 20 November, the map will be available:
Where to pick up a paper map
Paper maps will be available from:
How does it work?
Using the map, identify the song fragment locations from the clues provided. Visit that location to look for a box labelled Beacons. Inside, you will find a set of song fragment cards and a wisdom book. If you successfully uncover a location, take a song fragment card and input the fragment into the portal - beaconsproject.uk. Alternatively, you can register your find at one of the local libraries listed by using their computers, with support from a librarian. The more song fragments you find, the more likely a Sea Gooseberry will choose to be looked after in your home until The Gathering on 19 December, 3,30pm at Sunny Sands beach.
How many song fragments are there to find?
There are 50 song fragments to uncover.
Do I need to find all the song fragments?
You can search for as many as you wish. Remember, the more committed you are to the Quest, the more likely a Sea Gooseberry will choose to be looked after in your home.
Will song fragments be available to find 24/7?
The availability of song fragments will vary as some locations are only open at certain times, and some are only accessible during daylight hours.
What happens if I’m chosen to receive a Sea Gooseberry? How will I find out?
A Sea Gooseberry will get in touch to let you know it's on its way and it will arrive at your home. You don't need to be there to receive it.
Am I guaranteed to receive a Sea Gooseberry to look after at home?
Taking part in the Quest does not guarantee you will be chosen to be a Caretaker of a Sea Gooseberry at home. However, remember that the more committed you are to the Quest, the more likely a Sea Gooseberry will choose you.
What if I am not successful?
Come to the Gathering on 19 December, 3.30pm at Sunny Sands beach. We still need everyone to be there to make the magical performance happen.
I have a question about the Quest, who do I contact?
Please get in touch if you have any questions. Either message us directly on social media @seagooseberries on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Or email seagooseberries@gmail.com.
From 20 November, the map will be available:
- on our interactive website - beaconsproject.uk
- and as a paper version - available to pick up locally.
Where to pick up a paper map
Paper maps will be available from:
- Folkestone Quarterhouse, Tontine Street
- Folkestone Library, 2 Grace Hill
- Sandgate Library, James Morris Court, Sandgate High Street
- Wood Avenue Library, 17 Wood Avenue
- Cheriton Library, 64 Cheriton High Street
- Hythe Library, 1 Stade Street, Hythe
- Romney Marsh Visitor Centre, Dymchurch Rd, New Romney
How does it work?
Using the map, identify the song fragment locations from the clues provided. Visit that location to look for a box labelled Beacons. Inside, you will find a set of song fragment cards and a wisdom book. If you successfully uncover a location, take a song fragment card and input the fragment into the portal - beaconsproject.uk. Alternatively, you can register your find at one of the local libraries listed by using their computers, with support from a librarian. The more song fragments you find, the more likely a Sea Gooseberry will choose to be looked after in your home until The Gathering on 19 December, 3,30pm at Sunny Sands beach.
How many song fragments are there to find?
There are 50 song fragments to uncover.
Do I need to find all the song fragments?
You can search for as many as you wish. Remember, the more committed you are to the Quest, the more likely a Sea Gooseberry will choose to be looked after in your home.
Will song fragments be available to find 24/7?
The availability of song fragments will vary as some locations are only open at certain times, and some are only accessible during daylight hours.
What happens if I’m chosen to receive a Sea Gooseberry? How will I find out?
A Sea Gooseberry will get in touch to let you know it's on its way and it will arrive at your home. You don't need to be there to receive it.
Am I guaranteed to receive a Sea Gooseberry to look after at home?
Taking part in the Quest does not guarantee you will be chosen to be a Caretaker of a Sea Gooseberry at home. However, remember that the more committed you are to the Quest, the more likely a Sea Gooseberry will choose you.
What if I am not successful?
Come to the Gathering on 19 December, 3.30pm at Sunny Sands beach. We still need everyone to be there to make the magical performance happen.
I have a question about the Quest, who do I contact?
Please get in touch if you have any questions. Either message us directly on social media @seagooseberries on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Or email seagooseberries@gmail.com.
Credit: Thomas Olney
About Beacons
Beacons has been created by Folkestone-based scenographer and artist Alison Neighbour, alongside sonic artist and composer Emily Peasgood, creative technologist and game designer Tarim, wearable sound system designer Alistair Harle, and a team of other local creatives. It is produced by arts organisations SparkedEcho and Creative Folkestone with funding from Arts Council England, PRS Foundation, The Ashley Family Foundation and donations from individuals.
beaconsproject.uk
Follow the official channels:
Facebook
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Trailer produced by Buckle Up Films.
beaconsproject.uk
Follow the official channels:
Trailer produced by Buckle Up Films.
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