About

Beach Dreams was started in 1998 by a small group of volunteers lead by Fr. Marcus Ronchetti of the Church of the Good Shepherd on Shoreham Beach, West Sussex.

Originally part of the Adur Festival Beach Dreams has since grown to become a major event in its own right in the last few years bringing volunteers via charity Concordia to live and work on the site and take part in the fabulous magical enactments. 
 
Fr. Marcus wanted to create a celebration that could showcase the local residents enthusiastic and many different areas of talents including the arts, expressive creativity and music. By drawing these people together one Saturday afternoon in  June 1998 with a procession that included dancing whales and a stage for live music alongside stalls selling many items many of which were made by local residents a fantastic, busy, fun celebrational festival was born.

This first festival was a huge success so more events were planned. The following year saw a bigger event over two days with music being a major part of the entertainment ranging from young rock bands showcasing their musical abilities to world renowned classical guitarist Richard Durrant.

The art team and volunteers were kept nourished with tea and homemade cake courtesy of Sheila Powell, a member of the church congregation. This was expanded year after year with expert organisation and an ever increasing team of helpers and plenty more cakes, freshly made sandwiches filled jacket potatoes salads and much more, and has now become known as the fabulous heart of the event; Beach Dreams cafe, even having celebrities officiating the opening.

The art team worked hard and fabulous ‘makes’ emerged from nothing more than a bundle of withy and tape. Many of these fantastic creations are processed along from different corners of the Beach lead by Shoreham Beach’s own Samba band, The Beach bacteria plus Ch’Tiganza-all the way from Belgium- and in previous years Buckingham Middle Schools children’s Samba Band. Residents from near and far and many different groups that include Brownies, Scouts, youth clubs and many of the local schools wind their way down onto Beach Green and in recent years are then included in a magical enactment on the green that kick starts the weekends events.

Beach dreams has strong international ties, not only with the Belgium Samba Band, but also, for the last 4 years, we have welcomed volunteers from many different countries such as France, Spain, Australia, India and Africa. These 12 or so volunteers that arrive each year are totally immersed in Festival life, even living and eating in the marquees that are erected year in year out by Brighton Marquees.

Whilst the focus of Beach Dreams is the two day festival events, ongoing workshops including dance, drama, music and visual arts, making of carnival props and social events, notably the end of Summer Sand dance and even larger Bonfire Night in November, all has the primary aim of bringing all sections of the community together and increasing community participation.