Town holding a torch for 2012

A DOUBLE celebration is to be held tomorrow as part of a Cultural Olympiad.

Two events are taking place in Bexhill to kick off the year of art and culture in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games – one involving a unique wooden ship and the other a celebration of ‘park life’.

The Boat Project will be visiting the De La Warr Pavilion terrace for a donation day.

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Organised by Lone Twin, the project features a 30ft sailing boat being created as a living archive of people’s lives.

They need wood – but not just any wood. Whether it’s a pencil or piano, extraordinary or mundane, organisers want something that’s part of people’s lives, preferably with a story to tell. The donated wood will be used with thousands of other donations to create the boat.

The boat project is part of Artists Taking the Lead – a series of 12 public art commissions across the UK to celebrate the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. The Boat Project is the winning commission for the South East region and is funded by Arts Council England.

On the same day, Bexhill will be hosting the Party in the Park.

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Held in Egerton Park, the green space will be full of arts, performance and activities.

Again, this is part of the celebratory countdown to 2012, with Rother District Council’s arts and sports development service working in partnership with the Friends of Egerton Park and Amicus Horizon to deliver the extravaganza.

Radiator Arts, a local community arts company, will be giving a parade of themed 2012 sculptures and handmade instruments – all created by children in workshops. They will be adding to the beats of the Sambalanca and Bloco bands.

Students from St Mary’s School, King Offa Primary, Sidley Primary, Chantry Primary, Bexhill High and Rye College, together with the children’s centre and youth services, will play a part in a colourful parade, complete with an Olympic and Paralympic rings finale.

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Further arts and sporting activities include; play activities, youth performances, sports fun with Active Ladies, tennis taster sessions, bowls, capoeira, basketball, street games, fitness training, stalls, traditional Punch and Judy, plus much more.

Both events are this Saturday, July 23. Boat Project donations can be made from 1pm to 6pm at the De La Warr Pavilion terrace. Party in the Park runs from 11am to 2pm.